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churches
lochs
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bensNo Tag
Why are there so few trees there laddie?
I could tell you but I'd be making it up.They have plenty of stone.Everything is built of stoneNo Tag
It appears that there's trees enough in the fens but not in the bens. Is that what defines them?
bens are mountainsfens are valleyspeoples houses don't have much wood for interior trimseems like it was saved for the church and the wealthyNo Tag
sheepNo Tag
wreckNo Tag
bridgesNo Tag
Wow, excellent pictures. What good keepsakes of your trip. Surely you made it to Edinburgh ! More pictures coming, I hope ?
Man, I was in Scotland for Easter in 1971. You make me feel old.
It's funny that we in America think that something 200 years old is OLD.
Greg
I'm enjoying the photos. How about a trip log or some description of where you went and what you saw. Did you eat anything peculiar?
BTW, I'm Scottish on my mother's side. Although we didn't celebrate that heritage, I do get a lift from hearing the pipes.
"Did you eat anything peculiar?"
Impossible not to. I went to school in Glasgow for a year in '75. Everyday for lunch we all ate chips on a bun with lots of vinegar. A great meal as you can still play football while eating.
I guess things have changed since. The top curry restaurant in Europe is situated beside the Clyde River.
Edited 9/19/2009 12:33 am ET by fingersandtoes
I thought scotland be wall to wall people. Its a island huh
Everyday for lunch we all ate chips on a bun with lots of vinegar.
Aaaccchhhh! I'd have to be awfully hungry before I'd eat fried potatoes with vinegar. I guess that putting them on a bun makes it a balanced, nutritious meal, huh?
I enoy fresh fish and chips but with salt and pepper, no vinegar.
Glasgow was populated largely by refugees of the highland clearances and their healthy indigenous diet replaced by early precursors of modern junk food. It wasn't uncommon on the early part of the last century to find people brought up on bread and jam. Once they discovered deep frying everything they could think of was subjected to it.
So the highlands were cleared to make grazing land for some kind of domestic animal. Sheep and cows, one would think. That being the case, who ate the meat the dairy products? BTW, I don't doubt the dietary history as you've recounted it, just curious.
The common lands used for subsistence agriculture were enclosed and used for grazing by large land owners causing the displacement of a large portion of the rural population. When they went to the cities they lost many important parts of their culture: how to raise children, what to eat, and their whole social structure. Many emigrated to America where a bastardized form of their clan structure formed the nucleus of the KKK.
For a much more positive and fun look Scottish history I'd recommend "How the Scots invented the Modern World" It's a very good read.
I haven't said anything about the photos. They are wonderful! Very evocative.
Ya found Pete's boat! Cool.
peoples houses don't have much wood for interior trim
Doesn't look like they have much of anything for roofs from your pictures. The grass looks carpet like, though. Beautiful place. Probably look better if the sun ever shined. I think I'm glad my family pulled up stakes there and headed here. copper p0rn
only copper I saw was in the stillsdidn't see any asphalt shingles and all the flashings were leadstills at GlenfiddichNo Tag
I will have to get back to you with the trip tic- my wife told me my job was to drive on the left and keep the car "greasy side down."an overview thoughstarted in Edinburgh down to Glasgow from there somewhat south and west to the coast. Generally north I think up to Loch Lomond and there abouts ending up back in Edinburgh for a few days and then on to the highlands of the north west and north. We then drifted down to Loch Ness on the way more or less to Charlestown on Spey. From there we headed for St. Andrews and then back to Edinburgh for the seven day flight home.eatshaggis and blood pudding everyday for breakfast.(This is how the Scots determine if you are committed to enjoying their homeland I think.) If you don't contemplate what you are eating and just shovel it in it isn't bad.also ate some things at a large dinner party we attended. No clue what they were- table decorations maybe.
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rooftopsNo Tag
haggis and blood pudding everyday for breakfast.
Sounds like, between the English and the Scots, breakfast is a meal to avoid.
Meself, I'd settle for a bowl of oatmeal, porrige in Britain.
The Scotties have their priorites right on how to use their copper........copper p0rn
Stone fencesstone wallsstone housesstone roof tilesNo Tag
"Stone fencesstone wallsstone housesstone roof tile"Yah, und stone faced people, 'cept the twinkling glinting eyes!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
If I'm not mistaken, most of the Highlands was forested just a few hundred years ago. But when the landowners realized that grazing animals could make them more money than commercial forestry could, down went the trees.(among other reasons) Mostly Scots Pine--their national tree.
There is a fairly extensive re-forestation taking place right now.
If you've never been, that is one beautiful country.
I'm really enjoying the pictures, Hubcap. Keep 'em coming.
Logging it off for profit makes sense, considering what the first hundred years of the industrial revolution did to nature. Glad to hear that they're trying to re-forest those mountains. Better late than never. Let's hope that there's enough soil left for them to grow and take root.
Most of our Eastern woodlands were logged off in the same way. Some native species are gone forever now. Fortunately there were other places for livestock to graze so the mountains re-forested themselves.
Going back a couple of hundred years most of Scotland would have been covered in timber of some sort but there are areas above the tree line which can't support any growth. Remember we are on the same lattitude as Hudson Bay and Moscow. It is the Atlantic Ocean which keeps us warm - and wet.
The 18th and 19th Centuries saw a great deal of deforestration when the trees were cut down for iron smelting and to clear ground for agriculture.
There is plenty of timber in houses, often imported from Europe, but after WW1 many conifers were planted to ensure a local supply of good wood. In WW2 many Canadians, especially Newfoundlanders worked in the forestry service.
The iconic buildings are in stone because there is a long tradition of building with stone, lime and slate to provide solid weatherproof structures.
In the 18th Century sheep became an important income earner for the large landowner, their tenant farmers were moved nearer the coast, to take up jobs as fisherman or small farmers or in the developing cities or moved overseas - the main reason why there are 5 million Scots in Scotland and 50 million with Scots ancestry throughout the world.
Love the pictures!!
I've just been replying to Hudson's posts and didn't see yours until now. Here I am telling Scottish history to a Scot. I feel like a donkey.
Edited 9/19/2009 12:43 am ET by fingersandtoes
I feel like a donkey
Hey...don't worry. I missed his earlier posts until now too.
It's one of the weaknesses of this board's notification system. The remedy, one which I don't always remember, is to return to the thread without using the Email link.
That way I come back to the conversation where I left off, without jumping past and missing anyone else's comments.
Edited 9/19/2009 4:16 am by Hudson Valley Carpenter
Don't worry, history is open to all sorts of interpretations, each equally valid.
The Scottish land owners didn't cut the trees down for grazing animals.Many of the forests were cut down for 'land cultivation' by the landowners tenants,who were subsequently evicted from their family homes for the purpose of rearing livestock,mainly sheep, which was more profitable.The "Highland Clearances" were of tenant farmers not trees,but I'm sure many of you know this already,as a lot of the "evacuated" landed on the American/Canadian coastline.I might add that visitors are always welcome.
Regards,mack.
You have a beautiful country. Why are there churches in ruination? I can understand the castles... but somebody always seems to be able to organize a fund drive for a church?http://www.tvwsolar.com
We'll have a kid
Or maybe we'll rent one
He's got to be straight
We don't want a bent one
He'll drink his baby brew
From a big brass cup
Someday he may be president
If things loosen up
More stills, please... research, research, research!Thanks for the pictorial, great way to start the morning.http://www.tvwsolar.com
We'll have a kid
Or maybe we'll rent one
He's got to be straight
We don't want a bent one
He'll drink his baby brew
From a big brass cup
Someday he may be president
If things loosen up
washbackshuge fermenting casks more or lessmade of vertical grain dougfirNo Tag
can you email me a sample?http://www.tvwsolar.com
We'll have a kid
Or maybe we'll rent one
He's got to be straight
We don't want a bent one
He'll drink his baby brew
From a big brass cup
Someday he may be president
If things loosen up
spirits through the ether...No Tag
The short answer to your query is, "Too many churches,not enough people",but in truth many of the churches shown have been in ruination since the "Reformation", lack of money for maintenance is also a big factor.
Regards,mack.
Thank you for the clarification, Mack. I visited Scotland recently and obviously misunderstood that part of history--maybe it was after we toured the Edradour Distillery!
Anyway, I'll stick to Texas history from now on.
As Davy Crockett said to the rest of Congress on a failed re-election bid: "You may all go to hell. As for me, I'm going to Texas."
In Ireland part of the story on trees was that the English cut a lot down to keep rebels from hiding in the forest.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
man i definetly need to do some work for you so I can go on a vacation like that :)
glad you had a good time
fensNo Tag
If you have a pic of number 13 showing more of the loch you will see that it has the shape of Scotland - a famous view.
let me look
this one maybe?No Tag
probably meant to attach a pictureNo Tag
crittersNo Tag
andNo Tag
That's it,
almost a clean outline of Scotland in the loch, if you want a clearer version, without the trees in the foreground, I can send one to you,
Nick
That would be great.ThanksNo Tag
speaking of spiritscemetery shotsNo Tag
just a few more and I will wrap upRannoch Moor
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Edited 9/22/2009 9:30 am ET by hubcap
So I have to say-- these pictures are more than amazing!
I am currently preparing for a study abroad trip to Edinburgh, Scotland in the Spring and this makes me more than excited to go! I will be studying at Edinburgh Napier University.
My dad linked me to this so I could see these pictures, and to say the least I am more in love with Scotland than I was when I applied (and I thought that would be impossible)the older i get ,
the more people tick me off
aren't there any people in scotland
Here you go then
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andNo Tag
Nice to see some pics of Scotland. One day my wife and I hope to go there for a visit. Among other things I work with stone...........and marvel at the castles.We just got back from the Highland Games at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire. We go every year. There is just "something" about the sound of bagpipes.Did you plan the trip on your own, or did a travel agent help? Is there anything that you would do different? Rod
We always rent a car and stay in b+b's where we can. Kinda sorta map things out with a "Lonely Planet" guide book and a "Frommers."Also people here at Breaktime- somebody is always willing to tell you where to go...And we ask the proprietors of the b+b's where to dine and what is a must see nearby.If you go there is a pass you can buy for admission into a fair number of the castles and historical places that is worth the price.do different:go for three weeks instead of twogo to Loch Ness early in the trip because although it is a pretty lake and full of monsters and all, it is not chock full of the jaw dropping vistas of the coastlines and highlands.only had one day planned for island trip and weather killed it (shoulda had a plan "b")Old Course at St. Andrews is closed on SundaysNo Tag
If you stay away from Danube Street and Rose Street while in Edinburgh you will come to no harm.
this is dad,
i may pick your brain a little as she gets closer to heading off.
i believe the college she's going to is naiper,in edinburgh.
to far away for dad.lolthe older i get ,
the more people tick me off
my little girl is in Edinburgh now writing a review of things for the young adult to do and see while there.I can send you her email addy if you like.No Tag
*this is daughter*
Love those additional pictures-- are those of Edinburgh itself?
Also, that would be amazing to get to talk with someone who is over there right now-- I would greatly appreciate it!
the older i get ,
the more people tick me off
Edited 9/22/2009 6:14 pm by alwaysoverbudget
Edited 9/22/2009 9:45 pm by alwaysoverbudget
yepthose last pics are from E-town. (That's what all us hip world travelers call it.)I will send her E-mail address through and let her know you will be in touch.Her name is Channing.No Tag
i'll pass it on to ashley,she'll be fired up. shes in her 3rd year and has been planning the overseas thing since first day of freshman year.
one of her first choices was amsterdam,dad said no way everything is legal there! she found this college in edinburg and got pretty sold on it so thats where shes headed. dad wishes it was about 5000 miles closer.lol
thanks,i'll get her the email.the older i get ,
the more people tick me off
Hub, I think your latest post shows "Rannoch Moor",scene of the Campbell massacre of the MacDonalds,not to be confused with "Bannockburn"where the Scots put the English to the sword, in a little local disagreement.Glad to see so much interest in our own little country,though I suppose it's hardly surprising,given so many of our ancestors settled in the American continent.
Regards,mack.
Thanks for the correction.We had a wonderful time in your homeland- punctuated by the friendliness of everyone we met.No Tag
Thanks for sharing! You have given me cause to start a whole new folder to save these in!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Beautiful. I spent a year in Scotland studying furniture making. That was almost ten years ago, I really miss the place.
golf..... we want golf !
didn't play the "old course."closed on Sundays... somebody told me that but I didn't write it down or tattoo it to my forehead.so I shopped Saint Andrews.here I am sporting my new St Andrews golf attire
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Couple of shots from actual playgreens are a bit slower than we are used torough is what you imagine (I hit one ball in- no point in looking)first cut was like hitting a ball out of a wire brushfairways short firm and fastNo Tag
SeascapesNo Tag
moreNo Tag
Heard this guy interviewed some months ago and the book sounds really great even though I don't play.http://www.tomcoyne.com/Company.html
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you.
hey you are welcome.to see Scotland is to glimpse into infinity I think.
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Nice photos ... did you get to Skye? One of the most beautiful places on earth.
ferries didn't run on account of a gale- winds up to eighty miles an hour, rain straight sideways- so we missed out.No Tag
I've enjoyed this visual tour! Great pictures.