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Other Questions About Scotland?

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From the lens Information About Scotland -- A Novelist's Guide to Creating Scottish Characters and Settings.

  • simpsonia Apr 28, 2012 @ 1:45 pm | delete
    Great idea for a lens. Well done!
  • vikksimmons Apr 27, 2012 @ 4:23 pm | delete
    Worthy, worthy, worthy of the Purple Star, this is. Congratulations. I have family in Scotland but I've never been and lost touch with my cousin years ago. Great page.
  • melissiaoliver Apr 25, 2012 @ 4:37 am | delete
    I love visiting Scotland, although I've only been to the Lowlands and would love to visit the Highlands someday. Thanks for this beautiful lens!

    P.S: Have you read Pat MacIntosh's series of detective stories? They're set in medieval Scotland and are really unique, interesting books.
  • efriedman Feb 18, 2012 @ 3:16 am | delete
    Would love to spend more time in Scotland. I see by your other lenses that you have an interest in ballet. I highly recommend performances by the Scottish National Ballet - excellent. I enjoyed seeing one in California in 2011.
  • oxfordian Dec 18, 2011 @ 8:21 pm | delete
    I loved learning all these nuances I didn't know. BTW, Mel Gibson isn't tall at all. Somehow movie magic manages to disguise how short he really is (maybe 5'8'' if he stands up really straight). He actually looks kind of funny in real life because his legs are sooo short.
  • fugeecat Oct 22, 2011 @ 7:30 pm | delete
    Your section on Scotish names reminded me of a friend I had in school. Her parents were from Scotland and they name her Shelagh nobody could pronounce it correctly.
  • Jenkins Jul 29, 2011 @ 7:19 am | delete
    What a fascinating lens. I've been to Scotland once before and felt inspired by the beautiful (if rather cold) setting and the craziest person I've ever met at Aberdeen airport. He reminded of someone out of Trainspotting, which brings me on to another issue with writing about Scotland - I found it ever so hard to understand what on earth they're saying :-)
  • huvalbd Apr 10, 2011 @ 2:37 pm | delete
    Scotland is the only country in the UK that I haven't managed to visit yet. Sometimes I have a little difficulty with the accent when I work with Scots but we always work well together--we both seem to be focused on getting things done--so I'm really curious to go there. This lens is very nicely written introduction.
  • jptanabe Apr 1, 2011 @ 9:56 am | delete
    Happy April Fools Day!
  • poddys Apr 1, 2011 @ 9:45 am | delete
    Excellent job. I feel like writing a Scottish tale now - men in kilts, dancing on swords, while the bagpipes wail, and the smell of haggis wafts in from the kitchen. All this after a hard day lobbing tree trunks as far as they could. You certainly know how to get someone in a Scottish mood. Blessed by an angel.
  • billybraveheart Mar 20, 2011 @ 4:36 pm | delete
    Aye it's a Braw Lens, and ma Muther wull be freezin at hame the noo, am gonna link this yin ta ma lens, awe ra best
  • DaniRuthie Mar 18, 2011 @ 10:52 pm | delete
    Great character lens. I never thought to write a novel set in Scotland, but now maybe I'll try it.
  • WordCustard Mar 19, 2011 @ 4:08 am | delete
    Thanks for visiting, and let me know if you do write that novel!
  • writer_cb Feb 24, 2011 @ 10:31 pm | delete
    My ancestry on my father's side is from Scotland. Kinnaird. I really enjoyed your lens! Very informative and fun. You dashed Scottish stereotypes and taught us something new. I still must swoon over Ewan McGregor though, even amidst all this seriousness...*swoon*
  • WordCustard Feb 26, 2011 @ 1:33 pm | delete
    Ah, swoon away! It's always interesting to hear him speak with his own accent rather than putting on a different one for his films. :)
  • aesta1 Dec 7, 2010 @ 4:10 am | delete
    Just love this. Truly deserves the purple star. It is always good to read well written lenses.
  • WordCustard Dec 7, 2010 @ 7:39 am | delete
    Thank you so much for the kind compliment.
  • KarenTBTEN Oct 8, 2010 @ 7:32 pm | delete
    Great idea for a lens and very well done. Blessed by a SquidAngel.
  • WordCustard Oct 9, 2010 @ 5:27 am | delete
    Thank you so much, Karen!
  • kidspartythemes Jul 3, 2010 @ 2:49 pm | delete
    Very good lens, enjoyed it! Love Scotland, been there many times :)
  • WordCustard Jul 4, 2010 @ 9:14 am | delete
    Thank you! Today it is pouring with rain here in Scotland. But I still love it. :)
  • prosperity66 Jul 1, 2010 @ 7:22 pm | delete
    Hm... still waiting for those twelve Scots in kilt, m'dear. Isn't it a stereotype (men wearing kilts?) Er... no... seems that kilts are appreciated by Scots. And I appreciate Scots in kilts, lol.
  • WordCustard Jul 2, 2010 @ 2:48 am | delete
    Ah well.... if you say "All Scotsmen wear kilts" it's a stereotype. If you say "Some Scotsmen sometimes wear kilts" it's a fact.

    And if you say "Send me 12 gorgeous Scotsmen wearing kilts", well.... :)
  • Kyecerulian Jun 29, 2010 @ 12:07 pm | delete
    Great lens! Lots of interesting info about some common myths and falsehoods about Scotland!
  • WordCustard Jun 29, 2010 @ 2:11 pm | delete
    Thanks so much, Kyecerulian. Always good to see you!
  • Sylvestermouse Jun 29, 2010 @ 11:15 am | delete
    I really enjoyed visiting Scotland, well all except the food. I had a hard time finding something I was welling to try. Thank God for muffins :) It is indeed one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and I loved just sitting back and listening to them talk. I would definitely like to return, but this time, I will plan my own trip and go with people I know instead of with a tour group.
  • WordCustard Jun 29, 2010 @ 2:11 pm | delete
    Oh dear, Scotland is not known for healthy food though there are some good restaurants if you know where to look! I hope you get to return soon.
  • TheWhistler Jun 29, 2010 @ 9:01 am | delete
    I understand there are now Gaelic immersion schools. I hope this brings back the language that was once banned by the English.
  • WordCustard Jun 29, 2010 @ 2:09 pm | delete
    It would be a shame to see it die out. Thanks for stopping by!
  • Bus_Stop_Toy_Shop Jun 28, 2010 @ 4:00 pm | delete
    Another Scottish Squidoo-er - there was me thinking I was all alone ;) Great to see some of the myths about us exploded. Thank you!
  • WordCustard Jun 29, 2010 @ 8:21 am | delete
    You might come across a few more... Gordon Hamilton for one (and there's a proud Scottish name if you ever heard one!) :) Thanks for taking the time to visit and read.
  • Ann Hällberg May 10, 2010 @ 10:27 am | delete
    I was recommended Gabaldon's book "The Outlander" and, as a Scot, was horrified at the number of historical mistakes in the novel. In fact, it spoiled my enjoyment of the novel. I would hate to think that readers believe what she writes and believe that this is the way things were done in Scotland. On the other hand, a friend, a historian, andI had an interesting time finding all her mistakes and checking them out.
  • WordCustard May 11, 2010 @ 2:13 am | delete
    Great to have another perspective on the Gabaldon series of novels, Ann. My motivation to write this came from seeing how many budding authors and fans of Scotland thought it was enough to throw in a few stereotypes... ouch. Perhaps even some of the most successful ones are guilty though of taking 'creative licence' too. Thanks very much for commenting.
  • KonaGirl Mar 27, 2010 @ 3:20 pm | delete
    I really enjoyed your lens. Having a wild mixture of ancestral backgrounds including Irish, Scot, Welsh, English and Hawaiian the Gaelic part of me is always fascinated with your home. Thank you so much for sharing your views. I hope to see more! 5 stars for you! I lensrolled you to my lens about Hawaii, joined your fanclub too.
  • WordCustard Mar 27, 2010 @ 3:52 pm | delete
    Thanks so much, KonaGirl. You've now given me the opportunity in return to discover beautiful Hawaii!
  • naturegirl7 Mar 26, 2010 @ 12:59 pm | delete
    Wonderful lens. I enjoyed it immensely. My American mother said that she was of "Scotch Irish" and English descent so I love to read about all three countries.
  • WordCustard Mar 26, 2010 @ 1:11 pm | delete
    Thank you! So you, via your mother, have true Celtic roots. :)
  • charlino Mar 23, 2010 @ 10:07 pm | delete
    Scot decendent, here. Love this lens it is very informative.
  • WordCustard Mar 24, 2010 @ 5:59 am | delete
    So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by.
  • 4U2C Mar 17, 2010 @ 7:15 am | delete
    Ah, we all love Scotland! Really interesting, and informative, well written, and loved it, and rated it! Thanks!
  • WordCustard Mar 17, 2010 @ 8:45 am | delete
    Thank you, and good to meet you!
  • a_willow Mar 16, 2010 @ 12:23 pm | delete
    This was fun. And you broke some of the myths in my head :) Still, I like Mel Gibson as Scot :))
  • WordCustard Mar 16, 2010 @ 12:30 pm | delete
    Turns out he has some Scottish blood in him (pointed out by TylaMac further below) so I guess there's no problem with that! :)
  • HannahDavis Mar 14, 2010 @ 4:06 pm | delete
    I really enjoyed this lens! I visited Scotland last summer and agree that, though people have a distinct facial look, they come lots of different sizes and hair colors :) I also met lots of kids with the names you described as common Scottish names! Very nice lens!
  • WordCustard Mar 14, 2010 @ 4:45 pm | delete
    Thanks for your kind comments and for stopping by here!
  • theraggededge Mar 12, 2010 @ 9:32 am | delete
    Great topic. Came via 'Nail That Niche' so you've got my vote!
  • WordCustard Mar 12, 2010 @ 10:52 am | delete
    Thank you! And, if you have the time and the inclination, I am sure there is a lot for novelists and would-be writers to learn about Wales.... ;)
  • Capricorn57 Mar 10, 2010 @ 6:45 pm | delete
    Excellent lens, and I also love the outlander series of books and am on the fifth one, "The Fiery Cross". I never even realized I could enjoy history so much. It was one of my least favorite subjects in school. I am of Scottish heritage on my mother's side, and have found the information facinating. It is one place I have always wanted to go.
    My late husband worked there for many months, but I never got to go. I did get 2 Border Collies from Scotland. Anyway, I loved your lens. Thanks!
  • WordCustard Mar 11, 2010 @ 4:07 am | delete
    Thanks so much. I know what you mean, I think a well-written and accurate novel is the best way to learn about history. I hope you do get to visit Scotland sometime soon. :)
  • TylaMac Mar 9, 2010 @ 7:30 am | delete
    This is a great lens for writers who are looking for a good crash course in Scottish culture. I have ambitions in that area and I am sure that I will return to this lens over and over when I need a quick answer.

    Thanks so much for addressing the whole Scot,Scottish,Scotch issue. Americans have developed the unfortunate habit (IMHO) of referring to themselves as Scotch or Scotch-Irish. I know it's accepted common usage but it's still incorrect.

    Also about Mel Gibson,although he isn't a native Scot he is Scottish on his mother's side. As I'm sure you know we American Scots always think of ourselves as Scottish even if it's been 500 years since our ancestors arrived in the New World. lol
  • WordCustard Mar 9, 2010 @ 7:51 am | delete
    Thank you, I really appreciate your comment, and all the others here.

    Yes, I had heard that in the US 'Scotch' tends to be used to refer to people, though you wouldn't do it over here and to me Scotch is the beverage (or an egg!). I didn't know about Mel Gibson's Scottish connection though, so you taught me something new! :)

    I think it's wonderful that American Scots have such a pride in their ancestry. I wonder if the home country lives up to your expectations when you visit? I hope so.
  • jptanabe Mar 7, 2010 @ 5:18 pm | delete
    Great job! Reading your lists of Scottish names made me feel quite homesick for "the good old days" when I was a child in Scotland - certainly my schoolmates had those names!
  • ulla_hennig Feb 28, 2010 @ 4:12 am | delete
    What a wonderful lens to learn more about Scotland!
  • kimmanleyort Feb 25, 2010 @ 2:23 pm | delete
    What a great resource for novelists who need an insider's guide to the real Scotland. Very thorough and easy to read.
  • arncyn Feb 19, 2010 @ 4:25 am | delete
    What an engaging read, Nicki, you've managed to answer a lot of things I've wondered of Scotland about, and in a most delightful way at that. I know some angels have already blessed you but your effort really deserves (at least!) another one *blessed*
  • Mahogany Feb 19, 2010 @ 1:41 am | delete
    Four seasons in ONE DAY? Singapore doesn't even have four seasons in one whole year :).

    I'm not writing a novel, but I found this lens very interesting (considering I've been to Scotland's neighbors but never made it over to you guys).

    (I like your ginger-haired disclaimer/release of consent bit by the way - it's a good point)
  • WordCustard Feb 18, 2010 @ 3:50 pm | delete
    Thanks for all of your kind comments and thoughts about Scotland.
  • Wednesday_Elf Feb 18, 2010 @ 11:51 am | delete
    I've never been to Scotland, even though one-half of my ancestors were from Scotland, but I would so love to see the country. My uncle and my mother each visited at one time years ago. Love your descriptions and a nicely done group of ideas for anyone, in addition to writers wanting information to write about Scotland.
  • LotusMalas Feb 17, 2010 @ 10:12 am | delete
    This is such a fabulous guide to Scotland. You're descriptions are so rich that I can just imagine myself there!
  • Waxing-Lyrical Feb 17, 2010 @ 10:04 am | delete
    Would you believe I've never been to Scotland? But I learnt some new info from my visit :)
  • KathyMcGraw Feb 17, 2010 @ 7:11 am | delete
    What a great resource. I was investigating a couple of the Clans many years ago and could have used this. You are right, if people want to write about a country, or the people, it's best to have the facts straight. Blessed by an Angel
  • prosperity66 Feb 17, 2010 @ 7:07 am | delete
    This is another fantabulous Scotland related lens of yours, Nicki, a lens that is sent right now to my good friend Marilyn who's in love with Scotland! It's tweeted of course and...
    Blessed by a SquidAngel.

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WordCustard

I hope you enjoy this guide to Scotland -- even if you are not writing a book about Scotland!

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