Pedal for Scotland

[emily_in_nc]

Did you know it was Burns night tonight? It's traditional to have a meal of haggis, neeps and tatties tonight. Oh and some whiskey

I don't know anything about Scottish food and have never been to Scotland (hope to get there and cycle someday as it looks gorgeous!!) My step-sister did an exchange program in college one semester in Glasgow. She wasn't fond of the food and lost 15 lbs.

My father's name was Robert Burns, and he told me that when he visited Scotland in the late '50s, he was treated like royalty. I thought that was really cool!

We also have McIvers in our family (my great-grandmother's name....)

Emily, whose maiden name is, what else, Burns...

[Bruno28]

Hi Emily - we only recognise two of the main food groups over here: fat and carbohydrate. I'm surprised your step-sister lost weight!

I live near Glasgow - 25 miles away.

You sound as if you have Scottish ancestors. Come over - you would love it.

[margo49]

There is also "tablet".

[Haudlady]

Hello Bruno! I was lucky enough to visit Scotland in 2005 - it was beautiful, and I would love to go again.

At the recommendation of a friend who grew up in Scotland (Maeve - she's in her 80s now), I spent a couple of days on the island of Arran (not to be confused with Aran, which is in Ireland). I also visited the Weaver's Cottage in Kilbarchan (I am a weaver, so that was particularly interesting).

What a lovely place! I wish I could come over the 'pond' for that ride!

[KnottedYet]

Can't get the right kind of neeps around here. Very sad.


Mmmmm, mashed with salt and butter and pepper....

[emily_in_nc]

Hi Emily - we only recognise two of the main food groups over here: fat and carbohydrate. I'm surprised your step-sister lost weight!

She didn't eat the entire time she was there, or something like that...

You sound as if you have Scottish ancestors. Come over - you would love it.

I'd love to! Yes, I guess with Burns on my paternal side and McIver on my maternal side, I definitely have some Scottish blood running through these veins. Visiting Scotland is definitely on my list of things to do before I die. Maybe I should bring my own food???

Emily

[KnottedYet]

Noooo, Scottish food is GOOOOOOD!

(mmm, merangues with heavy whipped cream from a little shop in Kirkaldy. Sausage rolls with canned baked beans and canned spinach. Tea, lots of cream and sugar. Lyles golden syrup. Black pudding. Semolina with strawberry jam. mashed potatoes with mince gravy. neeps. sigh...) (Fife schools fed you well back in the late 1970's)

[margo49]

Scones, bannock, porridge with salt not sugar, tablet,whisky (--ies!).
Also the scenery and the weather and the clothes/fashions.
And the trains.

[KnottedYet]

The smell of burning coal on a cold damp day!!! (oh, my!)

I wonder if google earth could find the cottage we lived in? The cottage was built in the 1400's, so it should show up on any satellite images.

[Bruno28]

Apart from Glasgow, where you can see the buildings, most of Scotland is just a blur on google earth.

Obviously, the powers that be don't think it's worth keeping us under satellite surveillance....little do the know, heh, heh.

[emily_in_nc]

Noooo, Scottish food is GOOOOOOD!

(mmm, merangues with heavy whipped cream from a little shop in Kirkaldy. Sausage rolls with canned baked beans and canned spinach. Tea, lots of cream and sugar. Lyles golden syrup. Black pudding. Semolina with strawberry jam. mashed potatoes with mince gravy. neeps. sigh...) (Fife schools fed you well back in the late 1970's)

I just remember Paige (step-sister) complaining about the lack of salads and other fresh veggies and fruit -- that was what she found difficult about the food there. And lots of fatty meat...or was that in England (she split her exchange program between a semester in Scotland and a summer in England).

Emily