Land of Kilts

Scotland the Land of:

Kilts, Bagpipes, Lochs, Castles, Highlands, close to 800 outer Islands, Golfing (not my cup-o-tea/sport) and 'Nessie', has fueled my imagination.  

This country is located in the northern portion of Great Britain, which also includes Wales to the southwest, and England straight south.  And then there is Northern Ireland across a bit of water called the Irish Sea, which is also part of the United Kingdom, but not part of this trekker's agenda.

Some Scottish Literary people of importance:

 Walter Scott author of:

 Ivanhoe, Rob Roy, Waverly, among other titles.

 Robert Lewis Stevenson author of: 

Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, among others.

J.M Barrie:  Peter Pan, among others.

  Arthur Conan Doyle:  Sherlock Holmes, among others. 

Scottish National Poet Robert Burns recorded the folk song 

Auld Lang Syne in 1788

Should Old Acquaintance be forgot,

and never thought upon;

The flames of Love extinguished,

and fully past and gone:

Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,

that loving Breast of thine;

That thou canst never once reflect

On old long syne.

Chorus:

                        On old long syne my Jo,

On old long syne,

That thou canst never once reflect,

On old long syne.

Food

The national dish of Scotland is haggis, a pudding consisting of sheeps' offal, oatmeal, onion, spices and fat, cooked in a casing.  Doesn't sound like my 'cup-o-tea'/meal.  

A few Myths

Kelpie, or water kelpie, is the Scots name given to a shape-shifting water spirit inhabiting the lochs and pools of Scotland. It has usually been described as appearing as a horse, but is able to adopt human form. (Wikipedia)

Selkies  or Selkie folk are mythological beings capable of changing from seal to human form by shedding their skin. They are found in folktales and mythology originating from Orkney and Shetland.

The folk-tales frequently revolve around female selkies being coerced into relationships with humans by someone stealing and hiding their sealskin, thus exhibiting the tale motif of the swan maiden type.

There are counterparts in Faroese and Icelandic folklore that speak of seal-women and seal-skin. In some instances the Irish mermaid (merrow) is regarded as a half-seal, half-human being. (Wikipedia)

The 1994 film "Secret of Roan Inish" with its amazing baby boat/cradle (copy Gary made for Nina's twins Theo and Beatrix) is about a Selkie.