We spent a couple of months in Scotland last year for work. Jim’s of Scot heritage and I’ve a fair bit of Brit and Irish. He was so pleased to see that finally there were people with as pale skin as him! I hesitated to tell him that he was a head taller than anyone and still stood out.
Once I got the first week under my belt, being attacked as a Texan and “Bushie” every Japanese tourist was asking me directions and I made Scotland my home.
The people were great, I so enjoyed meeting folks everywhere and didn’t even have Zoe (our dog, who was being overfed and cared for by a friend) to break the ice!
We were there during the campaign to liberate Scotland from British rule, a match between Celtics and Rangers, and international championship “football” match with a Spanish flair. All included serious police presence and police and fife and drum brigades walked beneath the windows of our flat.
We quickly grew to love the Scots. I called my godfather in Canada one day and asked if there was anyone on his side of the family he wanted me to contact. He said that his family had all emigrated to Canada in the 1770’s to fight.
He also said that if I went into any local pub and asked if there was a McDonald around many would offer a pint. Sadly, I didn’t have the time to do that.
Freedom was my issue here and I’ve been remiss so far. The Scots are a hardy people and they believe in freedom. I don’t know all the issues or whether Scots have the resources (land and oil and others) to separate from the UK now but give them the benefit of doubt.
Spending a couple of days at Stirling, William Wallace memorial et al, Edinburgh Castle certainly doesn’t make me an expert. So let’s just say I admire the grace and strength, fortitude and willingness to fight for the right to be free.
Being there for nearly three months gave me the time to breathe in the nature and culture of Scotland, though I did not have the opportunity to go north to Aberdeen or south to Ayr. Thank you, Scots, for embracing us.
I’ve a hand-knitted cardigan sweater from a lady in Oban and may do a Burns dinner next year.
Godspeed, Scots and Glaswegians
Cooking with Dee 