quote:

AND, Caitie's family seat is in Stirling, so she knows very well how 'united' England and Scotland have been under their monarchs, Lords Protectors etc!

Mallee: Don`t get me started! I`m from one of those dangerous Border clans!

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Originally posted by Caitie:

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AND, Caitie's family seat is in Stirling, so she knows very well how 'united' England and Scotland have been under their monarchs, Lords Protectors etc!

Mallee: Don`t get me started! I`m from one of those dangerous Border clans!

Stop! Stop! Think of something else, quickly!!

Seriously, are you happy with the way that Scottish history is portrayed by the TDs? Do they give the 2 sides to every story, and the 4 sides behind those, even for Glencoe?

Mallee, when we did the Insight tour of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, our tour guide was Scottish.

We thought he was terrific; his knowledge of history was astonishing. He later told us he had a History Degree. Having studied English history as a major I found his interpretation of English history fascinating. It put a whole new slant on the deal.

The English bus driver was seen to shake his head many, many times in disbelief at the interpretation given. That is what history is all about isn't it: Interpretation, a social and cultural interpretation.... or something like that, anyway.

This was also the tour that the TD played the tapes called The Kings and Queens of England: fascinating.

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Originally posted by Penny1:
...It put a whole new slant on the deal...That is what history is all about isn't it: Interpretation, a social and cultural interpretation.... or something like that, anyway...

Yes, Penny1, a new slant is to be welcomed. I was concerned that people were being painted as being either heroes or villains - but why should it bother me, after all? Let the dead bury their dead, and I'll continue to enjoy '1066 and All That'.

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Stop! Stop! Think of something else, quickly!!

Seriously, are you happy with the way that Scottish history is portrayed by the TDs? Do they give the 2 sides to every story, and the 4 sides behind those, even for Glencoe?

Mallee: I suppose the way that history is told depends on the perspective of the teller. We did Best of Scotland back in 1999 with our children and had the most amazing TD we have ever had. He was an extremely efficient, well-informed local and he knew who the villains were!!!

Caitie, our guide knew who the villians were too. He would brook no argument over the facts either.

We also had a long-suffering English bus driver who took a lot of ribbing from the TD and was a good sport about it. The TD positively relished laying it on thick. Great fun. But there`s no glossing over the fact that England was Scotland`s "auld enemy" for a very long time, and the Scots have long memories in some parts.

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Originally posted by Caitie:
... But there`s no glossing over the fact that England was Scotland`s "auld enemy" for a very long time, and the Scots have long memories in some parts.

You're absolutely spot on, Caitie, but I'm descended from several different warring interests in both Scotland and Ireland, as well as yeoman England, and tend to "gloss over" things in the interests of amity. You're certainly right about the long memories!

We used to tell our Sassenach relatives that the only good thing in England was the road to Scotland.
Take care;
Jo

Another question. Does anyone get confused when they visit the US and coins for 25 cents says quarter and 10 cents says dime? The penny says one cent and the nickel says five cents but there are no numbers on them. I would have found it much more difficult to work with coins in other currencies if the numbers weren't on them.

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Originally posted by J. Vimira:
We used to tell our Sassenach relatives that the only good thing in England was the road to Scotland.
Take care;
Jo

Ahem

Brenda

Mallee: When I went to live in France as a teenager many moons ago, it was better to be Scottish there than English. Ever heard of the series of treaties known as the Auld Alliance? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Alliance
The Scots and the French were often allied against the Rosbifs (English) and even now the French will cut the Scots some slack because of it. Of course, the Northern French also happen to be our Celtic cousins as well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celt

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We used to tell our Sassenach relatives that the only good thing in England was the road to Scotland.
Take care;
Jo

Ahhh, did you say Sassenach relatives?

Caitie; You know the saying " you can choose your friends----."

Brenda;
Take care;
Jo

Ach! Ye crazy Scotsfolk!