A longing for the Auld Country

[Cawdorian]

The lyrics of the song Mike posted do seem to express the feeling very well. I have never been to Scotland, but I know that is my heritage.

I have a copy of some family information put together by one of my older cousins (now deceased) that formed the basic core of the genealogical information I have on my mother's family. The information was all courthouse and graveyard researched because the information was compiled in the 1960's. I feel very fortunate to have this information. Using the resources of the internet I have been able to turn this small bit of information into volumes of genealogical information on her family.

It is wonderful to know that you have the blood of the Lamonts, Campbells, Bruces, McGregors, Dunbars, McAlpins and who knows what other clans flowing through your veins. As you read the history of the Scots you just know you belong there, you can feel the presence of your ancestors. We know and understand how we got the way we are and why we have the personal beliefs that we have.

I have always wondered why I was so fascinated by the culture of the Scots and why bagpipe music made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I do feel truly at home with the culture of the Scots. Like Glassman when I put my kilt on, I feel right at home in it.

[auld argonian]

Learn the history, read the stories...it's certainly wonderful to fall in love with a place and to find your connections to the past.
But be sure to learn the whole story and the truth and consider all of the bad along with the good. It does you no good to dwell in a romantic delusion. No matter where I go and no matter how nice I find the place there's always somebody who lives there who thinks that it sucks and can't wait to go somewhere else.
Still reading "How the Scots Invented the Modern World" and it has been an education to say the least. I'll bring up the work of Henry Louis Gates, the African-American historian: he's pointed out that much of what the African-American community thinks about their ancestors' lives in Africa is a romantic delusion...that the "story" is more appealing than the "truth" so the "story" is what gets more play. I saw a wonderful documentary series on the history of Ireland a couple of years ago that took the popular image of Irish History on and pointed out a few facts that made it look somewhat less "majestic".
Point for me is that many cultures and groups have endured great persecution and injustice and have risen above ignorance and misery because of the indomitable nature of the human spirit...legends are coined and actual events are sometimes "enhanced" as a way of expressing this triumph in a digestible way. If King Arthur was actually the King of All the Britons it was because he was the baddest SOB in Britain at the time not because he was noble or brave or annointed by some unseen hand. (See: Monty Python and the Holy Grail...he must be a king because he doesn't have $#!+ all over him).
Bagpipes give a lot of people the chills down their spine (and if I never hear Amazing Grace on bagpipes again I'll be eternally grateful...sorry) and I don't think that you have to be of Scottish extraction to feel some resonance there.
Not to be a cynic but you do have to look at the whole picture. Remember that Hitler dragged the German People along with constant references to the romantic myths about their collective past...enjoy the poetry of the story but be always aware of the reality.

Best

AA

[Valencian Kilted]

I am from Valencia, on the mditerranean east coast of Spain, and that means that in my ancestors I'll find romans, cartagenese, greeks, phoenitians, iberians, celtiberians, goths, arabs, catalonians, .... and also it's possible to find some jewish, french, or italian blood drops.... but as far as i've reached in history, the pressence of scots or english people here was quite rare and unusual, and just for short temporary periods as some wars,...

... but every time I read a history book or a novel about Auld Alba I can close my eyes and see myself ,... breathing,... on a rainy green land, sword on one hand and a blade and a small targe in the other...with a determined look at the front, while my face is covered partially with wet hair.... just instants before a crowd shouts wildly and a charge leads my companions and me to victory or legend...

¡Salud!

T O N O

[Valencian Kilted]

"story" is more appealing than the "truth" so the "story" is what gets more play. Point for me is that many cultures and groups have endured great persecution and injustice and have risen above ignorance and misery because of the indomitable nature of the human spirit...legends are coined and actual events are sometimes "enhanced" as a way of expressing this triumph in a digestible way. ...

AA

... as a history lover, I agree with that, but... I think that the good side of that history that we keep on mind is some kind of guide for us all to try to be better. No one will remember here how many "witches" were killed in Embra as well as in Salamanca (Spain), Munchen, or Salem,.... but we all will remember the good side of those history periods,... the side that makes us want to be better humans!

¡Salud!

T O N O

[highlander_Daz]

The blood is strong no doubt about it!!

[pdcorlis]

genetic memory - Kilts feel right.

Yup...

[Colin]

Dee, if you think you feel it burning inside you now, just you wait until you actually stand there. When you suddenly feel more at home than at any other time in your life.

Once home, you will really understand the meaning of the word "jonesing" as you will long to go back. It's been 6 years since I was in Scotland and Ireland, and I cannot wait to go back.

[starbkjrus]

Wow. I was going to delete this thread since I thought I sounded a bit daft but I suppose I must have hit a bit of a nerve. Perhaps others are as nuts as I am. :mrgreen:


AA,

I'm definitely a romantic at heart but I also have my eyes wide open. That's why I'm reading so many different books - to get many perspectives and form my own opinions. This all started with my reading the history of the UK available on the British Royal Website. It's very well done but I"m also WELL aware of the massive spin machine surrounding the Crown so I branched out.

It's also nice to wallow in the romantic sometimes too. :rolleyes: