Phil

I think I could take you up on the return to Scotland to live, in my semiretirement years which are not that far off, unless the economy stays in the tank longer than expected. In my profession there is a branch called teleradiology where all one needs is a good computer and a broadband access and one can work from just about anywhere in the world through the online connection and make near what I would be making were I not the chief of my department and needed physically in my current place. I have already, after my two trips to Scotland to date, realized that that place may very well be the right place, as the time shift is perfect for the needs of the job, most of which occurs after midnite in the US, early morning and daytime hours in Scotland. I have never felt more comfortable and welcome in a foreign country in all my travels, and in some ways more comfortable than here at home. Scotland is roughly the size of my home state with similar topography and climate, and IMHO is relatively easy to get around with lots of the activities I enjoy doing and will continue to do so into my latter years. Aside from that driving on the wrong side of the road thing I am pretty sure I could and would fit right in within a pretty short time period, although I would never qualify as a true dyed in the wool HIghlander, either in the hearts or minds of the natives. I would probably wear my kilts far too often and confuse people as to my clan loyalties by being seen in different tartans on too often a basis, and I would have to lose the penchant for wearing my flatcaps with my kilts, lest I have Jock coming down on me from Inverness. But I have greatly enjoyed the time I have spent there, the hospitable people, the day to day tempo (outside the big cities) as it reminds me so much of the land where I grew up, only the folks have a bit of a different accent, sing a different anthem, follow the wrong kind of football, and salute a different but equally regal flag, none of them deal breakers. The royalty thing would take a bit of getting used to as well, I think.

jeff