A view from downtown Glasgow, this shows just half of the group playing that day. Love, love, love how these ladies are dressed!
Culture
So what is your ‘Official Outlander name’ in Gàidhlig?
Here is a great collection of names in Scots Gaelic. Now, we just have to figure out how to pronounce them!
Revised and Improved – So what is your ‘Official Outlander name’ in Gàidhlig?.
D. McClew
Born in Scotland, emigrated to Canada, stayed true to the kilt.
Spring in Glasgow
The Scottish Poetry Library has put together a growing collection of downloadable poster, each featuring a wonderful piece of poetry to inspire your days. This one features a work by Glasgow-born Alan Spence.
First Tartan Photo?
This is “Finlay, deerstalker in the employ of Campbell of Islay” taken around 1845. Thought to be one of the first photographs of a civilian wearing tartan. The Campbell family owned Islay until 1853.
KC, WT
Not sure where this one came from, but it’s my new motto.
Clan Histories For Your Viewing Pleasure
The BBC has a wonderful series of programs which look closely at Scottish Highland Clan histories. Featured here (in a nod to my fellow Outlander fans) is the episode on Clan Fraser, started in the twelfth century when a French knight named Frezel left Normandy for a new life in Scotland. Part One includes an interview with the current clan chief (and clearly a charmer,) Lord Lovet, Simon Fraser.
Part One:
Part Two:
Part Three:
If you’re interested in viewing additional episodes you’ll have to look for them on YouTube, as the BBC doesn’t stream them. BBC does have a listing of all episodes with some additional information.
Karine Polwart
Karine Polwart is a Scottish artist who combines traditional folk music styles with modern themes. I’ve been cruising around the internet looking for pieces to include here and I haven’t found a song yet that I didn’t like. Her voice is pure and her emotions deep. The music she creates has feeling, and often deep social meaning.
Polwart’s debut album FAULTLINES won three awards at the 2005 BBC Folk Awards, including Best Album. Its follow up, SCRIBBLED IN CHALK (2006), contained “Daisy”, a gentle word to the wise to one of life’s givers and truth-tellers who can’t quite comprehend that “there are people in this world who don’t think like you do”. The song won Polwart another BBC Folk Award for Best Original Song in 2007.
Karine Polwart performs “Daisy” for PRI’s “The World:”
Visit Karine’s website to learn more about the amazing, young artist.
Scots: Peelie-Wally
peelie-wally (alt. peely-wallie, peely-wally)
Pronounced /ˈpiliˌwali/
Adjective
1. (chiefly Scotland) Pale, pasty; off colour or ill-looking. [from 19th c.]
“On Monday mornings, he was always a bit peelie-wally.”
For more on this bit of Scots language, click below for an article from the Caledonian Mercury.
Article: Useful Scots Word: Peelie-Wally
KT Tunstall: Black Horse & The Cherry Tree
You may be familiar with Scotland’s KT Tunstall and her song “Black Horse & The Cherry Tree,” but if you’ve never seen her ‘one woman’ version, you should treat yourself! It’s amazing to watch her build the back tracks as she begins the song.
Find out more about KT Tunstall on her website!
