| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 5/28/2007 12:14:08 AM | I appreciate that it is predominantly Australia that received the cattle-thieves and sheep-worriers and that the Americas got the disenfranchised and blind optimists.
The Scots who arrived semed to do well after leaving theire homeland and their descendents rule business and probably the world.
To our eternal shame, Rupert Murdoch is of Scots descent so not everything from here is good.
The Irish you got were unable to successfully grow potatoes and were starving.
Incredibly, they probably did the best from all the immigrant peoples.
Oddly, the best bagpipe players (arguably) come from Canada and Australia so certain traditions have been upheld.
But the McGregors were not a bad clan, or at least no worse than any other.
Their motto is 'Royal Is My Race'.
The Hollywood movie of Rob Roy was utter nonsense, like most things that emanate from that factory of mediocrity.
Braveheart, for all its trumpeting of things Scottish, is crude and caters for the lowest common denominator but hooray for Hollywood - it did wonders for the tourist trade! The Clan system was dismantled by the Hanoverian government, post Culloden in 1746.
It was an ongoing exercise in ethnic cleansing and lasted until the early 20th century, people being evicted from their homes, often at gunpoint.
Their houses were then set alight in front of them.
Rule Britannia?
No thank you.
Independence for Scotland!
The Captain | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 5/28/2007 5:40:10 AM | Aye Captain, the MacGregors were bad. Their clan was outlawed during the time of Rob Roy. They were thieves and blaggards, my ex used to say. Ah, but how romantic!
And yes, you're right about their motto - it's on their clan badge, which my daughter wore to hold the tartan to he wedding gown.
I only wish that my husband had been Mel Gibson acting like a MacGregor! Now there's a picture!!!
Marcia | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 5/28/2007 6:15:46 AM |
I only wish that my husband had been Mel Gibson acting like a MacGregor! Now there's a picture!!!
Marcia, Now there is a wish that I think I would like too....
Captain.....sheesh, all I asked about was a simple 'whats under the kilt' I dint want to get anyone all up in arms.
MT | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 5/28/2007 9:10:00 AM | I spent about 25 years in pipe and drum bands across Canada - have worn the kilt since I was 12. When I joined the Calgary Highlanders Pipes and Drums they had (and have) a strong tradition. The Canadian Scottish military have the term "regimental" for being a "true Scot". If someone on parade is found out to NOT be regimental he owes a round at the mess afterwards!!  Needless to say that one is regimental in every parade thereafter.
I was married in full Scottish regalia - after signing the registry my then wife put on my clan sash for the walk up the aisle. Then members of my pipeband piped us into the reception and had an impromptu concert for us. It was awesome!!
"There the the Scots, and those that wished they were!!"  | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 5/28/2007 7:52:40 PM | What a nice story pieromantic, thanks for sharing.
Marcia, thanks for sharing your nice story too about your daughter, sounds just like a fairytale wedding. | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 5/28/2007 10:27:44 PM | Thanks to all that have posted on this thread, interesting and entertaining.
I am also of Scottish descent, on both sides of my family, my mother's people were lowlanders and my fathers were highlanders. My parents split when I was young, and I didn't know very much about my dad's side of the family until a few years ago, when I met some of my distant relatives online. Since then I have learned a great deal about the circumstances of my ancestors coming to North America.
After the battle of Culloden, the highlands were essentially trashed. It became more and more difficult for tenant farmers to make a living, rents were raised to the point where they were unaffordable. Many landlords booted the tenants off the land and raised sheep. My people were fortunate in one respect, their landlord arranged for passage to the New World, rather than just turn them out to starve, as many did. So a ship named the Glasgow departed from Scotland in 1775, and among the passengers were a 50-year-old man, his wife, and 3 children, one a new-born. They were headed for New York, with intent to join relatives that had settled in the Mohawk Valley. They never got there.
The ship had sailed without proper clearance, and a rebellion had broken out in the American Colonies. The British navy stopped the ship before it could land in New York, and forced it to sail to Boston. There, the passengers were given an "offer they couldn't refuse": either all the men had to join the British army for the duration of the war, ot they would spend the war in prison. As a sweetener, the British promised to care for the women and children. Needless to say, all the men signed up, including my 50-year-old ancestor. He was stationed in Newfoundland, and so did not take part in a battle. After the war was over (well, ok, LOST), he was given a tract of land in Nova Scotia.
I have often wondered why on earth the British wanted a 50-year-old farmer as a raw recruit. No wonder they lost the war. | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 5/28/2007 11:01:22 PM | That's a great story, probably one of thousands about Highlanders getting on a boat to the unknown and mirrored by other peoples fleeing persecution in Europe.
And how jolly decent of His Majesty's finest to offer the chaps employment and a gun.
But please don't denigrate 50-year olds (I became one two weeks ago) .
If the colonies rebelled again I think I would be very useful as an entertainer for our brave boys.
A song, a joke, a homilly about the Highlands.
Then back to the Winnebago as the brave lads set out with their muskets, fifes and drums.
Or something like that.
regards,
The Cap'n | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 5/29/2007 5:15:42 AM | Captain, no slight intended on 50-year-olds. My 50's are behind me, first-year baby boomer here.
There are unfortunately lots of folks adrift in the world, wanting nothing more than a chance to make a decent living. Where I am now (New Mexico) they are building a fence to keep them out. And I read recently that the EU is starting sea patrols, to keep out the Africans. I don't want to get into the pros and cons of any of that, just making an observation.
I don't get into any of the nostalgia for the "old country", my people have been here for ages, and lucky to be, at that. I am curious about my roots, and I wanted to find an identity beyond that of my parents and grandparents, but I have no interest in recreating the past. I've never worn a kilt in my life, I much prefer Wranglers. | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 5/29/2007 5:38:59 AM | Mess prices were always low enough that losing a kilt challenge was always worth it. I'll admit to starting a few challenges in my day, , but then again, the idea was to lose, not to win, | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 5/30/2007 3:25:57 PM | There is nothing more sexy than a great guy in a kilt playing bagpipes. It always brings a tear to my eye as everyone in my family (except me) was born in Scotland. I love to listen to the music and want to return to visit the relatives and tour the beautiful countryside soon.
And....a true Scotsman is not supposed to wear anything under his kilt. I haven't checked that out yet for accuracy but will next time I see a piper and get back to you all | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 5/30/2007 6:55:24 PM | Wicked Captain, I read your words, I sense that ascerbic Scots tonge, I see your picture in that tux, and I hear Sean Connery.
I'll follow ye to the hills laddie.
Oh no, not another Scot in my life!
Help!
Marcia | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 5/31/2007 4:34:41 AM | Marcia, you read my mind........Our very own Sean.......
and to you, "juswonderin" - simple but true, so true  | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 6/4/2007 5:51:25 AM | OK, I'm only irish/german, but I've danced Scottish country since '98[even doing two demonstration dances this month with our group, so if you're near harrisburg saturday, come out to the Pipe and Drum Festival]. I have a habit of adding non-prescribed hard and fast turns at the end of reels that make a medium weight kilt fly. Sit in the first row, if ye dare.
Bearwoman, you crack me up with your lipstick comment.LMAO
I wear Ancient MacGregor. It was given to me because, they needed us to wear kilts and I was the only one small enough for that kilt. Thanks all for the history details!
David | |
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Tramp
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Joined: 2/8/2007
Msg: 40 | |
| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 6/4/2007 6:25:52 PM | | Mother, by the way... did you ever find out where I can buy one?... Promise, you will not have to do any lifting. | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 6/4/2007 10:14:55 PM |
Mother, by the way... did you ever find out where I can buy one?... Promise, you will not have to do any lifting.
I really have no idea where you can buy a kilt....maybe you should google that one. Lifting? none? sheesh..................... | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 6/5/2007 11:44:48 PM | | our family plaids are passed down ,some are 8 generations old ,we have ,hunting ,watch and dress, all slightly different,of the Clan MacLean | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 6/6/2007 12:32:02 AM | | ..aye....I be of the McKechnie clan.....from the 'isle of mull'.....Scotland of course..... | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 6/6/2007 10:54:16 AM | Yeah Marcia2, i've lost brownie points in class for extra flourishes, it's all the contradancing that loosens up my scottish technique, ochh, sorry Mr MacGregor  | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 6/6/2007 5:36:17 PM | | What a great thread to stumble across!!! I've been told there must be some Scottish in me!! Think it had to do with the way I behaved & I was sober at the time. I love listening to the bagpipes. It doesn't matter if it is a single piper or a large band. It sends shivers up & down my spine. The kilts that I have had the pleasure of seeing and touching were very heavy!!! Marching around in one would be a heavy duty work out. Although I imagine they don't seem quite as heavy when worn properly. Now don't go thinking anything naughty, I only touched the kilts to remove them from storage not to remove them from the person!!! | |
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Tramp
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Joined: 2/8/2007
Msg: 49 | |
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| Is anyone out there Scottish?
Posted: 6/6/2007 8:19:16 PM |
The kilts that I have had the pleasure of seeing and touching were very heavy!!! Marching around in one would be a heavy duty work out. Although I imagine they don't seem quite as heavy when worn properly. Now don't go thinking anything naughty, I only touched the kilts to remove them from storage not to remove them from the person!!!
Ok gennienut......but what did they wear UNDER them?? | |
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