July 12th, get your kilts on!

[Billie]

Scotland

Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Alba) is a nation in northwest Europe and one of the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom. It occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shares a land border to the south with England. It is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the southwest. Apart from the mainland, Scotland consists of over 790 islands.

Edinburgh, the country's capital and second largest city, is one of Europe's largest financial centres. Scotland's largest city is Glasgow, which is the centre of the Greater Glasgow conurbation. Greater Glasgow is home to approximately 40% of Scotland's population. Scottish waters consist of a large sector of the North Atlantic and the North Sea, containing the largest oil reserves in the European Union.


Foods of Scotland


Haggis, Scotland's national dish, a combination of seasoned meat and oatmeal boiled in a sheep's stomach. Hey I don't know about any of you but I am thinking way toooo many carbs in this---my excuse for not eating sheep's stomach!

But found this in a fairly recent publication on how the Scots are eating fast food:

The deep-fried Mars bar, served with a side order of fries, threatens to usurp the haggis as Scotland's best-known dish.

Worried public health experts, who investigated stories about the chocolate-covered caramel and nougat candy bars being deep-fried at Scottish fast food outlets, say the claims are not an urban myth.


The researchers discovered similarly bizarre examples of calorie-laden fast food cuisine, such as batter-fried ice cream, pizza, and pineapple rings.

The study, reported this month in the British medical journal The Lancet, adds to concerns over poor diet and physical health problems in Scotland. Only last month First Minister Jack McConnell, the leader of Scotland's executive cabinet, described the country as "one of the unhealthiest nations in Europe." National Geographic News


What do they eat?

Seafood is a staple in Scotland and food is a way of life. Enjoy Scottish favorites -- delicious langoustines, or buttery soft cold smoked salmon. smoked salmon, Finnan Haddie, cured herring or kippers--okay now we are talking Great protein power!

I know some of you are oh Scottish descent, so please jump in here. I am going to spend the day in Scotland at the pubs, coffee places, looking for plaids and woolen fabrics, how about you? Get those passport stamps!

[maxlharris]

Scotland... Home of Braveheart and Scottish Heroin addicts who love Iggy Pop. Some of the best curlers in the world (though at the Olympics, they play for Britain). Haggis. Deep fried EVERYTHING. There's a Scottish man in New York who offers all manner of fried stuff in his restaurant. Snickers, twinkies, whatever... I think he will even deep fry stuff you bring in. I saw him on the food network.

My day in Scotland will be spent taking in a game of footie. Or shooting heroin. Either way.

[hawk]

Scotland .... I have a neice in law who is scottish. She had very loud bagpipes at the wedding of a huge chapel at Valparaiso University. Awesome.

We can skip the deep fry and go for the herring, salmon and kippers.

The plaids are something I DO know about. My adopted daughter is part scottish . I researched her family tree and bought her family plaid and made her a reversable red and plaid woolen cape when she was a little girl.Each family has a plaid.

I could go for the pubs. Scottish whiskey over ice when I am in the mood does not give me a headache.

[WakefieldWendy]

Max, the best curlers in the world are from yesterday's country! :razz:

My whole family is Scottish (well, I have a few small bits that are English, but I'm at least 90% Scottish) from many, many generations back. As far as I know, the correct term for a named plaid is a tarten. I have a kilt (a man's kilt) in Ancient Campbell I think (Campbell of some form, but I can't remember which) for my grandmother who was a Campbell. I should fit into it in about 40 pounds! :rolleyes:

Instead of dreaming about porridge, or deep fried Mars Bars, or butterscotch bread pudding, or shortbread, or oat cakes (those might be more Canadian Scots), I am going to look at my kilt, and imagine myself wearing it to the next wedding I go to.

[gitfiddle]

Hoot Mon! Let's hear it for smoked salmon and kippered herring! I'll be taking the kippers camping with me next week where I can eat them all alone without anybody complaining about the smell. :rolleyes:

My Irish grandfather (maternal) ran away from home as a young teen and wound up in Glasgow working on farms with the beautiful Clydesdale horses. Of course, he didn't think they were beautiful, but he told us many tales of his life during that period. He went to France with the Black Watch in WWI. Heard lots of those stories, too! Unfortunately when he and Grandma got on the boat for America, they were restricted in the amount of luggage they could bring, so the kilts stayed home. Black Watch plaid is my favorite, by far. During our living history event last month, a regiment of the Black Watch attended and they were chatting with my mother, who positively glowed at the attention. The Black Watch would enter a battle wearing their heavy woolen kilts with bagpipes wailing and they were known as the "bearded ladies from Hell" by the Germans. I get goosebumps when I hear bagpipes. The Geezer always says the music makes him want to go out and kill and Englishman. He's kidding, because he's more English than Scottish! :rolleyes:

Billie, are you actually in Scotland today? If so, I'm jealous. I passed up a chance when I was in the area years ago because I only had two weeks off work. I should have called the office and told them I was taking another week because I'll probably never get back there again, at least not with the same cousins.:cry:

[Billie]

Carol I am in Bloomington Illinois cleaning my office, packing my house, trying to finalize all the things that need to be taken care of---Scotland I wish!!!!

[gitfiddle]

:lol: Your post faked me out! You sounded so sincere--must have been sincere wishful thinking! Well, you can at least wear plaid! :rolleyes:

I'm scrambling to get everything on earth done before I take off tonight. I'll be out of the office for eleven days and I can hardly concentrate for thinking of all I have to do when I get home. I'll probably be working late. Tomorrow, if all goes well, I'll take my camper and plant it at the fairground where the music festival is and come home for a day or so to clean and pack. I'll be leaving on Sunday or Monday and be gone a week.

[Josiane]

hello all,

just a quick hello before I go home. Still very busy with my end of the year accountancy. But did not want to miss Carol. Carol I wish a very happy holiday and thank you for all your kindness.

Don't know scotland at all except perhaps for the food.....:D I should plan holidays there.
Today I have been invited to a restaurant but have been able to keep it LC, so I am very happy about that.

Have a nice day :)

[Anniesnan]

Hi everyone!

My m-i-l is 100% Scots, but she was born in "da Bronx".
I loved hearing her mother speak - the Scots brogue is very interesting sounding.

One of her (and my dh) favorite Scottish foods is blood pudding. It is not pudding, but it is blood. There are a couple of small specialty stores that still sell it. Looks like a sausage to me, made up of blood and I don't know what else, but it is savory, not sweet.

I have long ago decided that if I ever do get to visit England, Scotland, or Ireland, I'll probably lose weight, 'cos none of the food sounds very appealing to me:rolleyes: .

On plan so far today...crazy, crazy work morning.
I just love the summer - NOT!

[laughingW]

Portland, Oregon Scottish Highland Games this Saturday! coom one, coom all.

meat pies, yum, just eat the innards.

http://www.phga.org/

[Billie]

Carol have a great trip...relax, renew, rejuvenate!

[gitfiddle]

Oh, I'm not quite gone yet. I'll be around tomorrow, just from home, and maybe even Saturday. Wouldn'tcha know I'd get invited to a fantastic jam for Saturday night! :paranoid: I may delay my departure until Sunday after church. I'll wave before I leave. Love you all!

Oh, and I get no stamp for Scotland. This I know already. :o :mad:

[Karole]

Hi everyone, a busy day again, as my hubby had to go to the dentist and I had several things I needed to do around the place. Did get my walking in this morning-- I try never to miss that--I treat it like medicine as it does seem to help with my bp . I have noticed on the days I don't walk my bp is up considerably more than when I do walk. So I don't like to miss it.

It has been trying to rain here today, but only a few sprinkles so far. Nice and cool tho. I love the cooler Julys !!

I would love to visit Scotland too. Love to listen to the language spoken, of course my experience with that has mostly been with movies and etc. I did meet one girl from Scotland when we were stationed in Italy. She was married to an Airman and had the cutest way of saying things. But unfortunately , I didn't know her well enough to learn anything about the Scottish customs.

Carol , have a great vacation , and lots of fun playing. We'll be waiting to hear all about it when you get back here.

On track all the way today and will report back in this evening with final results. Byee

[Claudette]

Hey, finally my "country" day.
My father's family were Hunters & Fletchers (clans), my Mom's, Wilson & Harris(family name in the Campbell clan). I married my DH, who is in the McGregor clan, who has a tartan and all the regala, which he wears to formal outings and to the local Fall Ball in November each year. I have a large tartan scarf that I wear. I need to lose 20+lbs to wear my tartan skirt.

LaughingW, too bad we can't head to Portand this Saturday! I'm thinking of how cool and comfortable it would be. Our Scottish Festival is always the 1st weekend in June.

I have never tried Haggis, the thought makes me sick.

Scotch whisky is pretty good. They make a McGregor scotch, a blended one which DH has on occasion.

One desert my family always made each Christmas was Scottish Shortbread. I usually make it by my great-grandmother's recipe, but it is not low carb, so I don't eat it anymore.

If you are wanting some shortbread, Walker's, at most grocery stores, is fantastic. If I ever sucessfully make a good LC version, I will post it immediately.

Carol, have a great vacation, we will see you when you get back. That is such a great story about your grandfather/grandmother and the Black Watch Regiment. I had read about the "bearded ladies from hell" that the Germans referred to them as. I love the "pipes" also and enjoy singing Scottish folk songs.

I am looking forward to getting to Scotland in the future to visit.

On plan today, with exercise, et al.....

[Karole]

Got a yes and here are my totals; Protein 110 ecc 28. I still have to eat a half cup of cottage cheese to make my protein , but I will sprinkle a little cinnamon and splenda on it and have it for a snack later. I promise.

I was just thinking -- this Protein Power is a great way to eat-- instead of starving myself I have to be sure to eat enough !! Gotta love it. And I am losing weight --slowly now, but still I am losing a little each month.

Claudette, I am with you about the hagis. I think I'll hold out for the Scotch !!

[maxlharris]

I guess I'm boycotting Scotland too. A big no for me. I think it's a combination of the following things:
1- Work (been busy, been slow, but always something hanging about needing to be done. It's almost over, this phase... have learned a lot about self's ability to organize stuff and do detail work... I'm actually better at it than I would have thought, but don't know how interested I am in refining the skill)
2- upcoming trip. Split priorities. Be on plan. Enjoy one of the sublime joys of my life (kansas city bbq). Having a hard time reconciling what I really want. And that's making it difficult to get the little things all lined up. Relearning the importance of vision and goals to me.
3- New Kitten. She's home. She's a wonder. Man brings her in carrier to her room (doing a gradual introduction to the house & the incumbent cat. He pulls her out of her carrier. It took her about five seconds to dump the carrier and start to explore the whole room and everyone in it. Absolutely adorable. She had me at me-ow. She slept through the night. She started calling when I got up to get ready for work. She was a purring machine, like a small engine at idle. I am absolutely charmed.
4- Old Cat. He is in a state of cold war. He's actually taking it all pretty well, but he's very curious about what's in the office and why he can't go in there. He's maybe feeling a little put out. But he's gonna be okay. I thought it would be a shooting war by now. It had one little flare up, but no one got hurt and no one is less curious about the noisemaker on the other side of the door. Anyrate, new pictures will be in my journal shortly.

At any rate, all of this has really cut my focus. I have a minor, nagging, mildly painful, very annoying, but not really worth talking about, health concern that should be cleared up in a couple of days, but it's stressing me a little too. Sigh. It rains and pours.

[gitfiddle]

Max, it sounds like your new kitten has already got you wrapped around her little paw! Reminds me of the one I had years ago. Many happy days with him.

I hope your health issue clears up with no trouble.

Claudette, I used to love shortbread too. Walker's is good, but it's the tin container I love the best. I don't know how you could make it lc, but then I've seen other favorites re-mixed on this board. If Kevin sold his bread, I believe I'd order some. Maybe almond flour? Haggis doesn't appeal to me, either.