Visitors From Scotland
Posted by Bill Molesworth
Alison introduced her aunt and uncle. Norman Kennedy has been in Rotary in Scotland for 30 years.
Norman brought greetings from his home Club and thanks for the welcome.
Scotland is small and has only 5 million people but the range of dialects often divides the Scots better than it unites them. He wears his kilt whenever he goes abroad because it's better than a passport and because it identifies him as a Scot, rather than a Brit or, worse yet, an English.
The kilt was originally just a blanket that was wrapped around the body during the day. Everybody carried a knife, which was long enough to penetrate to the organs but which was also used for throwing. To perfect the balance of each weapon, a stone was added to the hilt. As there were no pockets, the sporran developed. Early kilts were coloured only with vegetable dyes and to differentiate individuals in battle.
After the defeat of the Scots and the Jacobean rising at the battle of Culloden in 1746 there was a deliberate effort by the English to stamp out the Scottish nationality and the kilt and the weapons were banned. After about 100 years King John IVth expressed interest and Walter Scott developed the garment we know today.
In Paris once, going through security at a museum, Margaret's bag was being searched when the guard spotted Norman's knife. Margaret defused the situation by claiming it was 'for killing the english'. The guard welcomed them both in and encouraged them in their search. When they came out he asked them if they had 'found any english?'. Norman, of course, has the answer when asked if anything is worn under the kilt - "It's all as good as it ever was."
Norman brought greetings from his home Club and thanks for the welcome.
Scotland is small and has only 5 million people but the range of dialects often divides the Scots better than it unites them. He wears his kilt whenever he goes abroad because it's better than a passport and because it identifies him as a Scot, rather than a Brit or, worse yet, an English.
The kilt was originally just a blanket that was wrapped around the body during the day. Everybody carried a knife, which was long enough to penetrate to the organs but which was also used for throwing. To perfect the balance of each weapon, a stone was added to the hilt. As there were no pockets, the sporran developed. Early kilts were coloured only with vegetable dyes and to differentiate individuals in battle.
After the defeat of the Scots and the Jacobean rising at the battle of Culloden in 1746 there was a deliberate effort by the English to stamp out the Scottish nationality and the kilt and the weapons were banned. After about 100 years King John IVth expressed interest and Walter Scott developed the garment we know today.
In Paris once, going through security at a museum, Margaret's bag was being searched when the guard spotted Norman's knife. Margaret defused the situation by claiming it was 'for killing the english'. The guard welcomed them both in and encouraged them in their search. When they came out he asked them if they had 'found any english?'. Norman, of course, has the answer when asked if anything is worn under the kilt - "It's all as good as it ever was."
The beginnings of bagpipes are unknown. They are mentioned in Greek, Roman and African writings and pictures, in different styles. They were quickly adopted by the Scots when they were introduced and they are most closely identified with Scotland now. They were an instrument of war, their shrill, penetrating cry used to focus the troops. Lord Lovat, who led a Scottish regiment on the first day at Normandy brought a piper who marched up and down the beach for a long period without being wounded. When asked much later, a German machine gunner who was defending the beaches said they would never shoot someone so obviously mad.
Scotch Whiskey is a terrific export - only about 10% of what's produced is consumed at home. He claims a true Scot can drink any given amount. A James Hall is quoted as saying that Glenlivet can make salt water drinkable in the right proportions and will make you live forever.
In the early days of the war the Germans, trying to bomb shipping and harbours, set fire to two warehouses full of whiskey destined for the Americans as a way to earn funds for the war. This inspired the Compton MacKenzie story.
Margaret is from Speyside, the home of good whiskey. When it's first distilled it's clear and strong - as much as 125 proof. He was challenged, once, to drink a glass in one but couldn't manage it. His challenger turned out to have been drinking from a glass filled with water.
Jamie Hunter thanked Norman, on behalf of the Club, for his amusing and interesting talk and invited him and his wife to return any time.
Scotch Whiskey is a terrific export - only about 10% of what's produced is consumed at home. He claims a true Scot can drink any given amount. A James Hall is quoted as saying that Glenlivet can make salt water drinkable in the right proportions and will make you live forever.
In the early days of the war the Germans, trying to bomb shipping and harbours, set fire to two warehouses full of whiskey destined for the Americans as a way to earn funds for the war. This inspired the Compton MacKenzie story.
Margaret is from Speyside, the home of good whiskey. When it's first distilled it's clear and strong - as much as 125 proof. He was challenged, once, to drink a glass in one but couldn't manage it. His challenger turned out to have been drinking from a glass filled with water.
Jamie Hunter thanked Norman, on behalf of the Club, for his amusing and interesting talk and invited him and his wife to return any time.