What do you expect when visiting Scotland?(2)

[The Q]

My parents, sisters and families. Also if he is visiting from England as well my fluent native Gaelic speaking Brother, where as I don't speak a word of the language.

[MacEanruig]

Among many, I would love to share a wee dram and conversation with @Jock Scot.

[Jock Scot]

Among many, I would love to share a wee dram and conversation with @Jock Scot.

I am always delighted to meet up for a chinwag and a dram if I am around. Its not always possible and I am afraid that I spent much of my time away this year and I am sorry to say that I was unable to meet up with several this year. If anyone is in the Fort William/Inverness-shire area and is threatening to work up I thirst and would like to meet, then get in touch.

[Bluescelt]

The 3 trips to Scotland in 3 different decades all were great experiences. I was always a respectful and curious tourist and I received nothing but a warm and friendly response. I think with the amount of tourism that Scotland has the locals could get shellshocked having to deal with them but from my encounters that hasn't been the case. People generally respond positively when treated with respect. Here are two good examples of memorable encounters on my trips.

In Markinch, Fife (the town my great grandparents were from) I was attending their Highland Games and noticed the Director of the games was a Duncan. I thought I'd take a chance to see what he knew of Duncan families in the area. Unfortunately he had just moved to the town a few years before but invited me into the Patrons tent for a dram.

In Edinburgh we were at a pub on Cannongate and they had an acoustic session happening and players would sit out a few tunes to have a bite to eat. We were sitting right behind a mandolin player and I had struck up a conversation with him being that we had mandolin in common. He offered me his mandolin to play a few tunes. As musicians know, that is a big deal since most are somewhat protective of their instruments.

There are many more stories that filled those 3 trips. So Jock, I can say as far as what I expect from visiting Scotland would be a great time! Be it in the quiet solitude of a cottage in the Highlands or a flat on the bustling Royal Mile.

[Michael Weatherhead]

I lived in Scotland in the early 80's. When I arrived/flew low over the country, I saw the green countryside, low stone walls, lochs, etc, that I expected to see. Then I was assigned to live just East of Glasgow, an area known as Easterhouse. What I saw, that I didn't expect to see (had no clue about), were the rows and rows of government housing. Further, I was surprised to learn of whole neighborhoods of people who lived on the government "dole." I was amazed. Though I wasn't super successful, at that point in my life, I had held jobs during my youth. From doing yardwork in middle school, to delivering over 200 newspapers at 3:00 am, school all day, track practice in the afternoon, and working at the movie theater at night (my Junior and Senior year of high school). So, to see so many people who didn't work, was crazy to me. However, I did meet, and learn to love, many of the people. They were hard to get to know, at first, but would have given me the shirt off my back, if they thought it would help. At one point, I was mugged, and woke up three days later, in the hospital. The word had spread, in that area, about what had happened to me. I had so many people apologize to me, for what had happened. They were genuinely angry and embarrassed. They were worried that I would have a negative view of them, and their country. I could go on with stories, but I'll end it here. I did get to see some touristy places (Lomond, Ness, Edinburgh, various castles, Oban, Mallaig, Isle of Harris/Lewis), so my visit wasn't all in the government tenement neighborhoods.

[Liam]

My first visit to Scotland was in 1978, so I'm having to do a bit of head scratching to remember what I expected to see, and what indeed I found. First recollection was that the price of gasoline/petrol was about double that of what we paid in Canada, but I quickly found that so was the price of beer, whisky, pipe tobacco and just about everything else. We were staying with my wife's Grandfather in Aboyne in a granite "attached" home. It was heated with 2 converted electric fire places. Our visit was in late April/early May and it was damp and cool. We had pub lunches most days. I recall enjoying the dark ales in the pubs and the pub food, particularly "stovies". All of our time was spent in the Aberdeenshire area with the exception of the drive to/from the airport at Prestwick and a 2 day excursion to Crail. It took a day or 2 to become accustomed to the different accent, but folks were patient. I recall being impressed by the history everywhere we went, the rolling farm land, the narrow winding roads, the stone fences, the castles, both standing and in ruins.
During the trip my wife's Grandfather convinced me to don a kilt which I then wore much of the time. I was introduced to Glenmorangie which to this day brings back pleasant memories of the trip.
Unfortunately Jock Morrison died a couple of years later and my wife and I didn't return until 2014.

[tulloch]

Well, I'm hoping and dreaming of going in August 2017. I hope to meet up with friends who live in Glasgow, I do want to do the touristy landmark-and-castle type activities (The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, Wallace Monument...), I want to explore the beautiful scenery (Loch Ness, the Fairy Pools, Glencoe...). If I'm able to make the trip, I'll be competing at Cowal and a couple much smaller Games as this trip is meant to be my 'last hurrah' as a competitive dancer before I hang up the ghillies.

Then you'll be there for the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow Green? I will be there in 2017. Perhaps we do a meet-up. Kiltfitz will be there. I'm sure there will be others from this virtual community.

[neloon]

Liam,
Glad you came to Aberdeenshire - very sensible
Just to clarify terminology

an "attached" home is what we would call in the UK a semi-detached house!

"stone fences" are "dry steen dykes" i.e. uncemented walls built from the stones dug out of the fields during the land improvements of the 18th century. Very hard unmechanized work. Considerable skill is needed to build a good neat dyke.
http://www.scot-image.co.uk/news/drystone-dyker/
Alan

[terry m]

My newest grandchild born last week in Edinburgh. My wife will get there in a few days and I will in the next two weeks. I plan on going full paparazzi on the little cutie.

As time permits, I will go to the castle and the museum again. Soak in the architecture and just hang. I also plan on hitting some of the charity/antique shops my daughter took me too the last time I was in town.

We also have tickets to the Virgin Money Street of Lights. I think it is music and decorations on the Royal Mile

Congratulations on your latest grandchild, they are a blessing. I love being a grandad. We have never been to Edingurgh but it's on our to do list after Mull next year. Our son is a manager for a brewery and has just finished a whisky distillery course in Edinburgh. He brought back some nice single malts.
Enjoy your time in Scotland.

[argyle24]

Then you'll be there for the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow Green? I will be there in 2017. Perhaps we do a meet-up. Kiltfitz will be there. I'm sure there will be others from this virtual community.

I'd love to fit it into the plans - I watch the live stream every year!