_view an animated version of St Andrew's story, and discover why the Saltire is Scotland's national flag : Source

celebrating St Andrews day

My adventure, part II – Edinburgh

After an amazing trip around the Highlands, we finally made our way to Edinburgh. Have we saved the best for last? It remains to be seen

What has surprised me about Scotland so far is that no matter where you are heading, you can be sure not only that there is a good train ride away (and by the way, ScotRail has a fantastic service, now back to regular programming) but that the scenery will blow your mind away.

Besides the fun trying to even pronounce the names of the train stations in Gaelic and taking tons of pictures knowing for sure we will not be able to recognize in which town we took it, the most fascinating piece was the tons of Scottish people we briefly meet, all of them willing to answer our stupid questions (what is that? Are we there yet? LOL), giving us tips and welcoming us with open arms to their country. I want to take a minute here and thank them for that, when people say that the Scottish people is warm and welcoming… well, they have rightfully earned that fame.

So, when one very funny lady pointed us to “after we go through this trees you will see the first glimpse of the Castle” we knew for sure we have arrived.

Quick note to clarify what my state of mind (and body) was when arriving... I have to confess that I broke a toe on my right foot less than 3 weeks before traveling, so everything that implied walking with a slightly risk of a hill (where my foot was not completely flat) was really painful… so… when I realized the layout of the city in the area just surrounding the train station made my heart beat really fast… deep breath .. No small toe will stop me from enjoying Edinburgh (well… most of the time anyways LOL) !!

We were staying at a hotel on the old part of the city, on Cowgate street. So just unpacking and studying the map (yeah, we don’t travel with too much stuff planned ahead… we review the maps, ask people left and right for recommendations once we arrive and off we go!), I noticed – quite loudly – that the Rutheford bar (all 16 years of alcohol fans will know what I am talking about) was only 3 blocks away!!

When we arrived, I sadly found out that the bar has been transformed into a Spanish restaurant. There is nothing sacred in the world!! As much as I love spanish food, I refuse to eat there, especially after peaking through the windows and noticing that the beautiful wood work has been removed. Please, join me in a minute of silence for a beautiful masterpiece that was destroyed in the name of business. And let’s drink a whisky in Frankie Mac’s honor!

Let’s move on to a completely different experience.

Edinburgh Castle: what a place! Not only the placement in the city gives it the powerful presence but how they have taken care of it and how proud the people are of it is breathtaking.
What I like the most was the St. Margaret Chapel. Small little gem worth the visit.

We happen to be in Edinburgh during the EIFF (Edinburgh International Film Festival). And I was really intrigued by a movie starring Ewan McGregor. It is called “Perfect Sense”. So my next task was to try to get tickets for the screening and luckily we got them!
Side note: the movie is interesting, the main concept is what happens when –for unknown reasons- human race starts losing one sense at the time. Both from a city (Glasgow) view, and a couple’s view (a cook –Ewan McGregor – and a scientist – Eva Green). I have to say that I liked it, my friend not so much. So you better watch it and let me know your opinion.

We weren’t able to get to the Ghost Tours so, well, we will need to come back. You have to do what you have to do. Next August…sounds like a plan!

Also - as part of the EIFF - there was a “Night at the park” at the St Andrews sq. We happen to be walking around on a very rainy day, not really feeling our best, and suddenly we turn a corner and… “Mamma Mia… here I go again, My , my, how can I resist you? ” ..yes! Mamma Mia at the park! Amazing that lot of people was sitting in the grass watching the movie, or dancing in the rain. What a view. It made us immediately change our mood! And yes, we were dancing by the end of the movie too!

I think that the experience pretty much summarized what the energy of Edinburgh is about.

An area of the city that I really liked was Grassmarket. The energy, the architecture, the music, the people, the arts. Amazing. We spend a fantastic night in a small jazz club with a great band, great whisky, and great people. What more can you ask for? And we spend hours (and I mean hours) checking every single shop (from natural medicines to artsy purses… something for everybody LOL)

Certainly we need to come back soon. You need at least a week in Edinburgh to not leave feeling that there were tons of things we couldn’t see. We will solve that soon, I hope. Edinburgh, for sure it wasn’t the last time we saw each other!

thank you Betina for sharing your travels and experiences of Scotland with us

It is tipped to be bigger than Braveheart.

And it looks like Edinburgh could be about to cash in on the latest Hollywood blockbuster, with early talk of a star-studded premiere in the Capital and a massive tourism drive in support.

The Evening News can reveal high-level talks have already  taken place at Edinburgh Castle between executives from Disney/Pixar and representatives of a range of organisations, including VisitScotland, to see how new film Brave can boost the coffers of the Capital and the country.

The 3D animated film, a fairytale set in the Highlands, features voice performances from a host of Scottish stars, including Billy Connolly, Robbie Coltrane and Kevin McKidd.

read the full article here

18 July 2011 Last updated at 16:26

RAF to pull out of Leuchars as RAF Lossiemouth stays

Defence Secretary Liam Fox said Scotland's defence footprint would be strengthened

Leuchars in Fife has lost its fight to retain its RAF base, with Lossiemouth in Moray becoming Scotland's only such site.

RAF Leuchars will become an army base, with its Typhoons leaving for Lossiemouth in 2013 and the army starting to move in later.

Campaigners had been battling to keep both bases open.

Troops will also be stationed at Kinloss in Moray, which closed as an air base as part of MoD cuts.

Read more [link] BBC

follow Kevin's Support of the Save RAF Lossiemouth campaign ~ congratulations to Cally and all those from Save Lossie


thanks to Betinad for the lovely images and video clip from her trip to Lossiemouth in June 2011

Thank you to Betinad for sharing her trip to Scotland with us....

Part I:


My Scottish adventure started when on New Year’s one of my best friends – Alejandra – called me and instead of saying “Happy New Year” to me , she greeted me with a “What about spending your birthday in Scotland?”.

Obviously, as I am a very good friend, I couldn’t say no :-).

So, our trip started June 9th when we meet at London Heathrow airport.  Our first step: Glasgow – the largest city in Scotland.

I have to admit that for me, Glasgow was just a place to sleep and from where to start our tour over the Inner Hebrides Islands.   What a surprise!  The city is blooming, full of amazingly friendly people… what a way to start. Tons of new projects for the Commonwealth Games 2014 are in place, and the city is proud to show its best.   

From Glasgow, we initiate our trip to Iona. First, we took the West Highland Line train to Oban - a small town (with a population of about 8.000 people) that serves as the entry point to the West Islands. If you have a chance, please do it! The scenery is absolutely fantastic.  

On my birthday (yay!) I woke up in Oban, to an awful storm. Not the way I had envisioned the day … especially when you have to get a ferry… luckily when we got to the Ferry Terminal, we were notified that the sun was shining bright and high in Iona.. a girl cannot ask for more as birthday gift!

The way to Iona involves a ferry trip to Craignure (on Mull Island), a bus trip from Craignure to Fionnphort and another ferry to Iona.  Every step of the way is worth the time.

Iona… what to say about it? As a Kevin’s fan, I knew Iona was a special place. I couldn’t imagine Kevin naming his daughter after it if the place was anything other than spectacular.  But even before learning about Kevin’s own impressions on the island it was high on my list of places to go, after I read that Iona is considered a “Thin Place”.

In the Celtic tradition such places that give us an opening into the magnificence and wonder of the Presence are called “Thin Places.” A thin place is where the veil that separates heaven and earth is lifted and one is able to receive a glimpse of the glory of God.

I can’t testify if that is true, but certainly you feel that heaven must feel and look like it.  

Then, back to reality and our trip continued to Inverness and the Highlands.

I am writing right here right now, Inverness requires much more time that we allotted for it. Inverness and the Highlands deserve a full time trip… so adding it to my list.  I will be back, and soon, for sure.   (note: most people – even locals – looked at me as if I lost my mind when I voiced that I would love to see the city during Winter time, but yes, I imagine the place being astonishingly beautiful  with some snow J ).

We rented a car in there (ok, driving on the other side of the road is in itself an adventure) and enjoyed the sights of Loch Ness, Alves, Culloden, Elgin and Lossiemouth.  Most of the areas and sites we visited were unplanned; just letting the road take us.    At Lossiemouth, we were treated to a full hour of RAF exercises, so we even have our own air show! 

Reluctantly, we have to say goodbye to the Scottish Highlands and grab the train to Edinburgh.  But that piece of the trip will be reported in a future note.

Who can forget Colin McMurray "Kevin McKidd" tossing the Caber in Made of Honour ...

Highland Games Season is upon us ...

Full 2011 programme of Highland Games across Scotland   ~  link

Highland Games, which take place from Cowal to Tomintoul and all points in between, are a unique mix of the sporting, the cultural and the social. They usually comprise a programme of field and track events, piping and Highland dancing competitions and 'heavy events' like the tug-o-war, the hammer throw and tossing the caber. read more here

Caber tossing : The caber is a tapered wooden pole, typical length 19 feet 6 inches (5.94 m) tall and weighs 175 pounds (79 kg).. records of the modern game can be traced back to at least the turn of the nineteenth century.

The origins of Caber tossing are not really known however it is believed it might have been  developed as a way for foresters to get there logs down to a river. 

Contrary to popular belief its not how far you throw the caber but style. There is an imaginary clock on the floor in front of the thrower the idea is to throw the caber from the 6'oclock position, with the heaviest portion landing in the centre of the clock and finishing off by landing with the narrow point facing the 12'oclock position. The winner is also judged by style of throwing, that is stance and steps, as well as strength, balance and agility.
reference Wiki ~ qivmg.com ~ Wiki ~ ancientsites.com

Made of Honour available from Amazon.com (region 1)
Amazon (uk) (region 2)

Tourist bosses in Scotland believe a new Disney cartoon fairy tale set in the Highlands -  of which  Hollywood got its first glimpse  last week - could bring a multi-million pound visitor boom to Scotland, comparable to Braveheart, which won the best film Oscar15 years ago.

The new movie  is Brave , dreamed up by Walt Disney and Pixar, and filmed in in stunning 3D.  The film has a great line-up of Scots stars doing the voices  -  including Billy Connolly, Robbie Coltrane,Craig Ferguson and Kevin McKidd - with Glasgow girl Kelly Macdonald playing the  lead role of  Princess Merida. That's her character in our picture. 

 "The sky really is the  limit," said Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland. ...



read the full article [link] www.thedrum.co.uk

Wishing Kevin his family and all our Scottish members and visitors a Happy Burns night

to help celebrate here is Kevin Singing A Red Red Rose (a poem by Burns) from Made of Honour

Scottish Celebrations

Robert "Rabbie" Burns 1759 - 1796

Burns Night is celebrated on January 25th to commemorate the bards birthday, dinners take part in a ceremonial dinner, dedicated to the Bard.

The ritual format for the evening is as follows :-

Starting with the chairman of the Supper inviting the assembled company to welcome in the haggis. 

The haggis is normally held high as it is pipped in

The poem 'Address To a Haggis' is recited

and the haggis is then toasted with a glass of whisky.

The evening ends with a  rendition of 'Auld Lang Syne'



Kevin said: "There is one downside to being in LA - it's hard to find good haggis. When I went back to see my mum and dad at Christmas, I loaded my suitcases with enough haggis to keep all my guests happy." source

Happy Saint Andrew's Day to you

Happy St Andrew's Day to all our Scottish members/visitors and especially to Kevin and family!

On November 30th the world celebrates St Andrew’s Day, Scotland’s national day. There will be parties galore in Scotland, and events around the world.

find our more about St Andrews day here

thanks to Betina for the link