Well, here we are going on a trip to Scotland. We didn't expect to travel this year because of the new house build but we couldn't refuse when a friend invited us to join them on their trip. We're meeting 2 other couples for 2 weeks and then Vic and I will stay another week to see some of the palces we missed.

I've had the good fortune to meet many Scots on our travels and even had an "aunt" who was Scottish. I always found them to be proud, fun-loving, considerate, laid-back people. Well, I'm going to determine if that was a misconception or if the Scots are really that way on their home turf.

We are flying, overnight, into Glasgow, picking up our car and meeting 2 of our 4 travel companions in Dunfermline for the day until we can get into our place in Leven (near St. Andrews). Unfortunately, we can't get into the time share until Saturday but we've secured a room at the same place for the night. We have a time share cotttage starting Saturday for a week so we can explore the Lowlands (southern part of Scotland). Then we'll move upwards to the Highlands (yup, you figured it out - the northern part of Scotland) for several days and explore this wild area full of lochs (lakes) and bordered with sea lochs (inlets) and islands. From there we are heading to Edinburgh to experience Scotland's (supposedly) most sophisticated city. Sadly, we will say goodbye to our travel companions after a few days and Vic and I will continue to explore the Western coast of Scotland (Oban, the Inner Hebrides and Glasgow) for another week.

Scotland covers the northern third of the island of Great Britain, sharing a border with England to the southeast, and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, the North Sea to the northeast, the Irish Sea to the south, and more than 790 islands, including the NOrhtern Isles and the Hebrides.

We can't wait to experience the modern, yet historic cities, brooding castles, misty glens, rugged countryside, and, of course, the scotch!

Did you know that Scotland has it's own currency (sort of)? I thought they would use British currency but they print their own bills with Scottish people and landmarks. They do use British coins though.

And another thing I have to get straight: Scotch is a drink; the people are Scottish; the language is Scots. However, English is the official and most used language in Scotland. There are two other languages native to the country. The first is Scottish Gaelic, an ancient Celtic language once widespread throughout the land but today spoken by just over one percent of the population. It's unlikely we'll hear Gaelic during our stay here unless we get to the Outer Hebrides and I'm told if we do we won't understand it. The status of Scotland's third tongue, Scots, is subject to dispute, with some characterizing it as a dialect rather than a language. It is closely related to English and apparently rarely written, apart from in poetry.

See if you can translate these Scots phrases:

1) Awrite! A'm frae Canada. Whaur d'ye bide?

2) A'm for a cauld yill. Whit ye for?

3) Hoo muckle is this?

4) The toun is thrang tae whit it ance wis, twinty year syne.

5) Dinna fash yersel.

6) Gif Vals says it's weel, it's weel.

7) She's up to high doe!

8) A dinnae kne.

9) Yer a wee scunner! (Hopefully, I won't have to say this much).

10) Yer bum's oot the windae! (Or this!)

Scotland has also produced a large number of well known people across all industries from philosophy, music, film and science. Actors include Sean Connery, Tilda Swinton, Ewan McGregor, James McAvoy. Scientists and philosophers include Robert Watson-Watt (inventor of the radar). Adam Smith (Father of Modern Economics), David Hume (Philosopher), Alexander Fleming (Nobel Peace Prize for discovering Penicillin), James Clerk- Maxwell (One of the most important physicists to have ever lived). And, of course, some Sottish heroes and heroines include William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, Mary Queen of Scots, Rob Roy, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora McDonald. Sportspeople include Andy Murray, Alex Ferguson, Catriona Matthews, Eric Liddell, Chris Hoy and Jackie Stewart.

Did you think I was going to leave you wondering.....

Answers:

1) Hi! I'm from Canada. Where do you live?

2) I'd like a cold ale. What would you like?

3) How much is this?

4) The town is crowded in comparison with what it once was, twenty years ago.

5) Don't worry yourself.

6) If Valerie says it's alright, it's alright.

7) She's all workded up.

8) I don't know.

9) You're a little nuisance!

10) You're talking trash!

I'll try to publish the blog but I've been told the wifi is not very good so it may be tricky. Stay tuned!

Lang may yer rum leek (Live long and prosper)!