Us and the Kiddos: Scotland

So while I know Scotland is a technically a country, let's all pretend it is. It is a land rich in culture, history, folklore and traditions unlike any other.....let's explore Scotland.

Scotland, the U.K.’s northernmost country, is a land of mountain wildernesses such as the Cairngorms and Northwest Highlands, interspersed with glacial glens (valleys) and lochs (lakes). Its major cities are Edinburgh, the capital, with its iconic hilltop castle, and Glasgow, famed for its vibrant cultural scene. Scotland is also famous for golf, the game first played at the Old Course at St Andrews in the 1400s.

Capital: Edinburgh

National animal: Unicorn

Currency: Pound sterling

Cool Facts about Scotland:

The Bank of Scotland, set up in 1695, is one of the three oldest banks in Britain. The other two are the Barclays and The Bank of England.
Aberdeen Harbour Board, founded in 1136, is Britain’s oldest running business. Nestled in Scotland’s western shore, it has seen all major world events pass by, in its 900-year history.
The Encyclopedia Britannica, which is the Wikipedia of the past, originated in Scotland. It was the idea of an Edinburgh bookseller, Colin Macfarquhar.
Edinburgh was the most modern city in the world in its hay-days. It’s credited with having the world’s first fire-brigade, way back in 1824.
Interestingly, 1824 was also the year of The Great Fire of Edinburgh, a fire accident which went on for five days and burned the city to ashes.
Scotland was an independent country up till the 15th century. The country merged to form the Great Britain when the King of Scotland was given the throne of England in 1603.
Glasgow is also the birthplace of football diplomacy. In 1872, the first ever official international football match was played here, between Scotland v England. Neither side could score a goal.
The Teviot Row House is a historic building inside the Edinburgh University. It is the oldest student’s union building in the world.
Scotland is also the land where golf emerged. The oldest golf championship, The Open Championship, was first played in 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club.
Sherlock Homes, the de-facto inspiration for all detective novels, was the brainchild of Scottish author Arthur Conan Doyle.
One of the Seven wonders of the industrial world, the Bell Rock Lighthouse, is located in Scotland.
Loch Ness Monster is more than just a mythical folklore in Scotland. It was reportedly sighted by many prominent people, over several centuries.
To love the national dish of Scotland, you have to love the sheep very deeply. The notorious Haggis, which is a nightmare for vegans, is made with the heart, liver, and lungs of a sheep and then boiled in the animal’s stomach.
Scottish breakfasts includes Scottish style black pudding, Lorne sausage, baked beans, tattie scones, poached egg, toast and English tea or coffee.
Some call it ear-torture and some sway and dance to its rhythm. Scotland’s national instrument is the Great Highland bagpipe, which forms the heart and soul of Scottish culture.
The next cultural masterpiece of Scotland is the Scottish kilt, which is a knee-long single piece skirt-type garment.
The most powerful historic hero of Scotland is William Wallace, who began a revolt against King Edward I of England.
The world’s first color photograph, that of a Tartan Ribbon, was taken in Scotland.
Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, was born and brought up in Edinburgh.
The most dramatic experiment of the 21st century happened in Scotland. The first successfully cloned lifeform, Dolly the sheep, was created in a lab in the University of Edinburgh.
Thanks to Scotland, the world today knows a lot about antibiotics. Born in Scotland, a pioneer of modern medicine, Sir Alexander Fleming, is credited with the discovery of penicillin. It saved millions of lives and earned him The Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1945.
Paris may be the city of love, but the remains of St Valentine remains at Glasgow’s Blessed St John Duns Scotus.
There are around 300 castles in Scotland. Given its size, it’s about one castle for every 100 square miles.
The different clans are recognized by the pattern of knitting in their kilt.
Scotland is all about mythical creatures. The local folklore is washed with stories of elves, spirits, fairies, ghosts, monsters Goblins and mythical beasts, giants, etc.
With so much to enjoy around, ghosts seem to love Edinburgh. The city is a top haunted destination in Europe and there is a whole tourism niche developed around it. Check out the Mackenzie poltergeist, to start your Scottish ghost adventure.
Right is left for Scottish drivers. There is a popular car sticker in Scotland which goes like this: “Left alive. Dead right”.
If you hate jet lags, take the Loganair flight from Westray to Papa Westray, which happens to be the world’s shortest commercial flight. The distance is 1.7 miles and it will take you less than a minute to reach your destination.
Red is the new normal in Scotland. At least 40% of local Scots have the red hair gene in their DNA. Scientists believe it’s due to the lack of sunshine.
Ultrasound, which is used to takes the first pictures of a human inside a womb was first used in Glasgow hospitals during the 1950’s.
Edinburgh is a city built on seven hills. The other cities in this “7 hill club” are Rome, Moscow, and Madrid.
Though the population of Edinburgh is half a million, a staggering 13+ million tourists visit the city. That means 26 tourists for every local.
Scots are world famous dancers. There are an amazing 15000 documented types of Scottish country dancing. Experts believe that the number of undocumented ones far exceeds the ones recorded.
Whisky is the Scottish gift to the world. In the local Gaelic language Whisky translates into “water of life.”
The most famous spot in Edinburgh is the city’s downtown, the Grass market.It’s a classic place with cobbled streets, old-style shops, and interesting statues. It also used to be a public hanging spot.
A fishwife named Maggie Dickson was hanged here, but she later woke up from her coffin. Nothing haunted, she simply didn’t die. The irony is Scottish law had to set her free as she already served her punishment.
Scotland’s official animal is the Unicorn.
Scotland is the second largest country in the U.K after England. The U.K comprises of four countries including Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England.
In the north eastern Scotland, they call girls – “quines” and boys – “louns.”
Scotland is also blessed to have the oldest working post office in the world – at Sanqurar, established in 1712.
Scotland has nearly 790 islands, of which 130 are inhabited.
Raincoat was invented in Scotland.
In 2014 voting was conducted in Scotland to ask the people whether they wanted Scotland to be an independent country or a part of the U.K. 55.3% of voters answered “No” and 44.7% answered “Yes”, with a voter turnout of 84.5%.

Some old Scottish sayings and their meanings

Skinny Malinky Longlegs! – A tall thin person.
Failing means yer playin! – When you fail at something at least you’re trying.
Mony a mickle maks a muckle! – Saving a small amount soon builds up to a large amount.
Dinnae marry fur money! – Don’t marry for money – you can borrow it cheaper.
Do yer dinger. – Loudly express disapproval.
We’re a’ Jock Tamson’s bairns! – We’re all God’s children, nobody is better than anybody else – we’re all equal.
Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye! – What’s meant to happen will happen.
Lang may yer lum reek! – May you live long and stay well.
Haud yer wheesht! – Be quiet.

Scotland was fun!! We got to go to Cost Plus and get some goodies. They had a few items from Scotland, but the largest selection was from the UK of course.

Dinner was good- lots of options, the food is pretty simple: oats, potatoes, meat...good stuff!

Scottish scones- obviously they have oats in them

Fred Meyer didn't have dried currants and I dont like raisins so I put craisins in there

they were really good

some of our goodies: the soda- they drink stuff called Irn Brun, but I couldn't find it, so after doing some research I found out it tastes closely to orange soda and cream soda mixed....so the perfect substitute...orange cream soda!

the scones after they had been baked

the snowballs were awesome and from Scotland as were the Walker's shortbread. The candies were all from the UK

chopping cabbage for the rumbledethumps

bramble crumble aka blackberry cobbler-ish. the crumble is exactly that- a crumbly top, almost shortbreadish vs a cakey top we would find on a cobbler here in America