To the Ladies and Gentlemen of X Marks the Scot.com

“I’m sending the X Marks the Scot Air Ship Saltire on a voyage. I hope she will travel far and meet up with many X Markers during her journey.”

So I wrote in September of 2008. At that time I was a proud member both XMTS and of the “Mod Squad” of our forum, a special place on the internet that was both my online home and clan. I had written the original story that introduced the Saltire zeppelin and with my own hands crafted this simple wooden toy to represent the high ideals of good fellowship that traveled amongst all our members worldwide. I am very pleased that for better two years she did just that.

But, as been noted by myself and others, things do change, owners, policies, staff, and membership amongst them. XMTS is a different place than it was when I first set the “wee airship” off. This is still a great place and I am saddened that I can’t be a very active participant here anymore. I do look in and smile to see the new members being helped by those I remember giving advice to when they first started out here as a new kilt wearers.

The little XMTSAS Saltire is from the time of Hank and the Mod Squad, of when our forum was still developing and filling in a unique niche here on the Internet. In truth does anyone remember the story that inspired this little wooden toy anymore? Or the members featured in it? In honesty I don’t think so, not anymore. Because of this I don’t think it really represents what the forum is, the owner, or the membership. It is time to move on.

There are so many different and wonderful craftspeople and creative members here today on XMTS that it seems fitting that you all come up with something that defines your time here, this time right now. It should be something new and wonderful, not a reminder of things past.

I know there were places she never traveled and there is a desire amongst some of you to have them visited. However I think that makes for a wonderful challenge for whatever symbol you all come up with next.

So having given the matter a great deal of thought, and waiting for a time when I could choose without hurt or anger, I have decided that the little zeppelin has done her job very well and should be allowed to retire with honor. She will make one last appearance at our Nor Cal Burns Night Supper and thereafter be retired. I have offered her to Hamish and would be truly honored if she could find a permanent home in Bicknell Grange. If not she will be hung on the wall in our humble home and well cared for.

I hope you understand my reasons and I wish it clearly understood that while the Flight of the Saltire is over, the journey of XMTS is ongoing.

Sincerely

Jamie

In the morning haze of my younger days
I’d see her floating there
How real she seemed this vessel I dreamed
The airship I named the Saltire

Beautiful and bright clad in blue and white
Floating in the air
Representing an ideal, a wish made real
My airship called the Saltire

High she soared with all my friends aboard
There was plenty of room to share
Up in the clear with nothing to fear
In our airship called the Saltire

With helm steering true to the course I knew
Sat I in the Captain’s chair
O’er many a stormy cloud sailed my zeppelin proud
The wondrous airship Saltire

We traveled far following our guiding star
With winds that were always fair
Hands clasped with the friendships we grasped
Aboard the airship Saltire

Her task complete in helping friends meet
She pauses for a moment midair
Then the zeppelin alights away, making way
Farewell good airship Saltire

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