Apart fom Nessie...

Having been born, bred and lived all my life in the middle of Scotland, I would need to write a whole book or indeed, several books to encompass all that I think of as Scotland - food, climate, accents, humour, history, education, landscapes, sea, cities, towns and villages, politics, music, art, theatre, community, law, religion, sport and bad stuff like sectarianism, drugs and alchoholism. I must admit to being a bit surprised (and disappointed) by all the cliched stuff (haggis, tartan, shortbread and bagpipes, that seems to represent Scotland in the minds of those down south. These things are all good (except haggis which I loath) but there is so much more to Scotland than a great place to come on holiday. Why no mention of Scotland's oil, hi-tech industries, renewable energy, prevailing left of centre politics, Scottish Parliament? What about Scottish water, Health Service and Education, none of which has been nor is in the process of being privatised.

As for 'celebs' - why Andy Stewart, Kenneth McKellar, Sir Walter Scott and Sean Connery, when you could have mentioned David Tennant, Annie Lennox, J K Rowling orRobbie Coltrane?

Er, because all that's maybe a bit heavy for a lighthearted thread, Granny 23?

What's wrong with cliched stuff when we were asked what do we think of when someone says Scotland. It's pleasant things that come to mind, reminders of lovely holidays, affectionate memories. I'm not going to think of politics and industry when asked such a question. No need to feel disappointed I certainly know about the subjects you mention, but they aren't what springs to mind immediately, and I imagine anyone who gets asked about England would respond similarly.

Not all of us outside Scotland know a lot about Scottish politics, industry, or the rest that you mention, Granny 23, whereas a lot of us know what a wonderful place it is for holidays. And as for Andy Stewart and Kenneth McKellar, give me more!!

Granny23, I did mention the wonderful hi-tech Falkirk Wheel.

That is FANTASTIC ! I was most impressed when I saw it.

hope you had a ride,Jeni. not only very functional but also like a vast sculpture.

I didn't have time for a ride on it, but it's a beautiful piece of engineering.

Years ago when it first opened we took a small DGS on it. This was before the swish boats they have now, there was just an open barge with wooden benches, stored outside overnight. As the first trip on a frosty January morning we had the full impact of the frozen seats.

The views were magical, and the mechanism fascinating - recommend a visit if you are in the area.

On our return I thought a trip to the loo advisable before a cup of reviving coffee in the tearoom. The wooden loo seat felt like sitting on a radiator! I was convinced for a moment that they were somehow heated.

Granny23 This sort of question requires more or less predictable answers. At least no one launched into comments about RBS. If you asked the same question about England, you'd get such answers as Shakespeare, Yorkshire pudding, Big Ben, beefeaters, thatched cottages, Exmoor ponies, clotted cream and a hundred other clichés.

Home

Absentgrana - but would it not annoy you to have England summed up in such a lazy way? When 'England' is so, so much more. Perhaps I am being overly sensitive - like the time when a close friend, when asked to describe me by a new colleague declared, 'She makes great jam' - leaving me wondering if that is all I am good for.

We could all have given more in-depth responses, Granny23, but didn't think that was what was required.

Oh yes ! I had a ride on it! My brother arranged it for the last time I saw my mother.
She slept all thru the trip!
She was not a happy woman. It was a relief all round when she died.
She never got over my father dying at age 54 and lived for another 30yrs+ as a widow.
She ENJOYED ill health.

I just hope I never get like her!

My DH makes great jam also damson/sloe/bulace gin and fantastic marmalade. he would be flattered to be so described !

Granny23, I could have given all the responses you would have liked, but this question demanded a snap response which, in my case, was 'home'. And this after 46 years away.