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Scottish Serendipity

Information is tactfully located here that might seem to many readers as interesting but outside one's daily life expectations.  The Capital Scot welcomes .

New items this week under topics marked

Computer "wallpaper" with Scottish scenes is available for download.

Visit "Brigadoonery" - Official Cyber-Headquarters of the Scottish Colonial Tartan Police.  "The Scottish Colonial Tartan Police, or SCTP, was formed in March, 1999, as a response to the growing trend of the improper wear of Scottish garb, especially the kilt.  Too many people throughout the world are not showing the traditions of highland dress the proper respect they deserve, and so, like-minded individuals of Scottish descent with a commitment to accuracy and tradition have banded together to form the SCTP as a means to curb this insulting trend in Scottish dress.".

Gallowglassian Humor - "The power of pipes as instruments of war is well documented.  Many a piper has saved his unit from certain destruction.  Stories though embellished over time, have portrayed pipers in combat capable of inspiring colleagues to untold feats of courage.  Thus this site."

Some tongue-in-cheek haggis sites:      "Haggis toss" using an artificial haggis       Haggis Hunt; also,
Tartan's not dyed-in-the-wool Scots - "The dazzling colours of tartan materials are recognised globally as the uniform of Scots everywhere.  For years it was assumed the distinctive reds, blues, yellows and purples on which modern designs are based came from dyes derived from native Scottish plants.  But ..."

Your Pictures of Scotland - We're keen to see your digital pictures so we can include it in our weekly picture gallery, which has become one of the most popular regular features.

At the beginning of time God was discussing the creation of the world with the angel Gabriel.  Leaning back in His golden throne, He told him of his plans for Scotland.
"Gabriel", said God, "I am going to give Scotland towering mountains and magnificent glens resplendent with purple heather.  Red deer will roam the countryside, golden eagles will circle in the skies, salmon will leap in the crystal clear rivers, and the surrounding seas will teem with fish.  Agriculture will flourish and there will be a glorious coming together of water with barley to be known as whisky.
"Coal,oil and gas - all will be there.  The Scotts will be intelligent, innovative, industrious and ....."
"Wait a minute!" interrupted Gabriel.  "Are You not just a wee bit too generous to these Scots?" But the Almighty replied, "Not really.  I haven't told you yet who their neighbours are going to be!"  (From: Cait,  alt.scottish.clans  Wed, 30 Jun 1999)

A musical twist on an old story - a song about a sleeping Scot.

Donald MacDonald became the first of his clan to go to an English university - Oxford! After his being gone for a decent amount of time, his mother (worried about him) went for a visit.  She asked him: "and how are you getting along with the English, son?" He replied: "OK I guess but they are sure a loud and weird people!" "What do you mean she replied?" "Well mother there are three of us in a room - the room mate on the right stays up the entire night banging his head against the wall - over and over!!" "The other is just as bad: he screams, over and over, the entire night!!!!" "You poor boy, she replied, how do you ever stand it??" "It is not really that hard: I just try and ignore them and continue to quietly play my bagpipes!"

Scotland's Conquest of the World

Auld Lang Syne is based on a pentatonic scale, JK, so it could hardly be any more Japanese sounding.  (Hint: play it in F# - you'll only need the black notes on a keyboard.) Actually, much if not most Gaelic music is pentatonic too.  With only 5 notes to play around with, it's not beyond the bounds of probability that the Japanese could have independently come up with the same melody.

"There is a legend that Pontius Pilate was born in Fortingall, Perthshire...the son of a Roman and a local girl.  There are a lot of acheological remains there, including a homestead which might have been Roman.  If it's not true, then it ought to be." (Article by Nick)
"While up on business at Scottish Amicable near Stirling a few weeks ago, it was a gorgeous sunny day and having some spare time on my hands, I decided to take a quick detour to Callender to see the birthplace of Robert Burns.  Anyway, while on that road from Stirling to Callender I stopped in a layby to look at an information board/map and happened to notice, that there was a historical point of interest that stated that the birth place of Pontius Pilate (Christ's Executioner at the prompting of the Jewish authorities for those not of a religious or historical bent) was allegedly somewhere in North/North East Scotland (North of Stirling and Perth).  It did actually give a place but I forget exactly where and what it was called.  Does anyone else know where this place 'supposedly' is and is there any truth to it?" (Article by Richard)
See related article on the FAQ.

"Beef on the Bones"

For "Windaes 98"

The Penny Project is set up to develop NORTHBURN COMMUNITY PARK on greenbelt between Coatbridge and Airdrie.  The Park idea was born out of a need to protect the area, known as "The Moss" - a local Community Asset - from the threat of being developed for Open Cast Mining.

Tilt The Kilt Cocktail - courtesy of Peter
Ingredients are:
  1 Tsp. Powdered Sugar
  2 Tsp. Water
  2 oz. Scotch
  1 Tsp. Lemon Juice
  Splash Triple Sec
Instructions: Stir and strain into a cocktail glass and float triple sec.

Forests Forever

Buddhists in Scotland! Kagyu Samye Ling Tibetan Centre near Eskdalemuir and http://www.samyeling.org/

I found it very interesting at Arlee, Montana's 100th Pow-wow anniversary.  The Native Americans version of Dancing and having a grand ol' time for a few days.  In all their costume's glory.  Their were a few Indians that wore plaid breechclouts with their costume.  So I asked a few question's and it seems they have Scottish ancestors in their blood.  They wear it to honor their ancestors.  It was a very invigorating experience.  I live here on the Salish-Kootenai Confederated Tribe reservations.  It never fails to amaze me how small this world really is.Tammy

The Caledonian Brewery is the only brewery in the UK still to produce beer using direct fired open coppers.

This might sum up the difference between Glascow and Edinburgh girls.   Edinburgh girl: I was at this party last night and I met this Glasgow fella.  Jings, he nearly had the knickers aff me! Glasgow girl: You wore knickers to a party? --- Sawney Beane

Q:  To every cow its calf and to every book its copy.  Can some kind soul remind me who uttered these words and in what context.  I have a feeling it involved St. Columba (Colmcille) and the High King of Ireland but I'm not sure.
A:  Spot on.  It was the judgement of the king in the case against Columba brought by Finbar of Moville after he had surreptitiously copied a gospel codex belonging to Finbar.  It is the first reported case for breach of copyright.  Columba lost but there is no record that he ever returned the book all the same. - Alasdair

Selections

You may select a general topic from the list below to view both information on those topics and links to related sites.

Select a topic here.
Archaeology in Scotland
Scottish Authors
Castles in Scotland
Scottish Cooking
Franco-Scottish Sites
Germano-Scottish Sites
Heraldry
Scottish Magazines On-Line
Scottish & Celtic Newsgroups
Miscellaneous "Scottish Stuff"
Radio-TV
Scottish Newspapers On-Line
Tartan & The Kilt
Robert the Bruce
Scottish Serendipity
Technology in Scotland
Web Cameras in Scotland

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