what do you expect?

[Jock Scot]

Right then.I have been a member of this forum for a while now and have noticed that more than a few of you wish to travel to Scotland at some time or other.

My question is this. What do you expect to see here in Scotland? Rain?Kilts?Castles?Ferintosh?Anything else?

Perhaps another question for those who have already visited here.Were you disappointed?Or. Did you see what you expected to see?

[Arlen]

I think most of them expect to see Glencoe, Ferintosh and everything on the 'Planning a trip to Scotland' thread.

[MacWage]

Many have "connections" to Scotland, be it by blood or by interest.

I have read SO MUCH about Scottish history that it is interesting to me seeing wherethe event happened AND what is there now. Are there any plaques/monuments? How is it treated.

For example, the site of the 16th/17th century gallows in Edinburgh is now a shopping area, with a round "park"-like area that is supposed to mark the site of the gallows. It was on these gallows that MANY famous figures (famous, infamous, and ones killed by politics) in Scottish history met their end.
The markers cite the Covenanters (some of my own ancestors), though there were MANY more.

Another was the grave site of Rob Roy. I "stumbled" upon Doune Castle, a key by relatively minor site in Scottish history, but a VERY interesting site (ALSO-> where they shot Monty Python and the Holy Grail). It was interesting to see what was formerly VERY important (as indicated by books and old historic markers and memorials) but no longer maintained. It was also interesting to see a few OLD events/sites with NEW markers (replacing old ones? if not, why important now and not before?)

On place of STARK contrast was Grayfriars Church in Edinburgh, the site of MANY important political and religious happenings, events, and decisions, as well as where a "cute" story about a dog took place. Before I went, I was told that "Grayfriars separates the historian from the tourist." I misunderstood the meaning before I went there. First I miss IDed a church that had been turned into a theater for Grayfriar's (which saddened me), the found the right place. After worshiping there on a Sunday morning, I talked to some elders and they were excited that I was there due to the Covenanters and the history. They showed me the "artifacts" and let me into the "Covenanter prison" part of the grave yard. It was VERY interesting. (If you don't realize the meaning of the phrase above: the historians come there for the many important historical events that took place there -including the first signing of the National Covenant-, while it is MOST remembered for the story of Grayfriar's Bobby (a dog) that tourists come to see (totally unaware of the key events from the past that took place where they are standing).

Also, I was impressed by the beauty of the highlands and the similarities to "home" and the differences. Also, I found the "differences" to what I had originally expected to be VERY interesting. In one pub, a local called the Green Man fountain in town the "Puking Geezer," something people over here imitate at decent expense and with pride is common and gained an unflattering nickname there.

Of course, I had read enough and knew enough to KNOW the "tourist" image was WAY off reality. So I was not looking for the "romantic" version of events and places, but for the reality.

Many go for different reasons. Some probably leave in a euphoric but created fictional dream, other saddened that their "bubble was burst." Others (who have ties to reality) leave having really enjoyed themselves and with a better impression of the scope of Scotland as a REAL place with a more complex history than they knew and one that is STILL ALIVE and moving/changing/developing. What was is not what is, nor what is what will be.

[Livingston]

Right then.I have been a member of this forum for a while now and have noticed that more than a few of you wish to travel to Scotland at some time or other.

My question is this. What do you expect to see here in Scotland? Rain?Kilts?Castles?Ferintosh?Anything else?

Perhaps another question for those who have already visited here.Were you disappointed?Or. Did you see what you expected to see?

Yes, all of the above along with historical sites, distillaries and some of the shops. We like going to the out of the way places that "normal" tourists just don't think of.

[pipesndrumsnun]

I would hope to see where my ancestors walked.

[David Thornton]

I would be more inclined if the $ would rebound, but to answer your question..Wife is Irish and has been back there, neither of us have been to Scotland, so it is a natural destination choice. I would love to come over for some grouse on the moors, just to have seen it, maybe some rough shooting, maybe some stalking.

[Jock Scot]

I would be more inclined if the $ would rebound, but to answer your question..Wife is Irish and has been back there, neither of us have been to Scotland, so it is a natural destination choice. I would love to come over for some grouse on the moors, just to have seen it, maybe some rough shooting, maybe some stalking.

Hello David,I can just remember 4 dollars to the Pound!Yes, I am afraid that shooting is a pricy past time these days,it never was cheap though!One of these days I am sure that you will make it here.

[auld argonian]

You pose an interesting question. There are many people over here in the States who express a desire to go to the "Land of Their Forefathers" in order to make some kind of connection with Their past.

I look at this as an example of the mind seeking order and a very human trait, particularly among Westerners, to feel some kind of sense of belonging to a family or larger group. The problem with this, as I see it, is that people often romanticize the past because it gives them more of a sense of comfort.

I'll take an example from my own family: my Great Grandfather emigrated from Poland. Having heard about what a penurious, nasty son of a bitch he was reputed to be, I really doubt that he had anything but his own self-interest, comfort and survival in mind...he wasn't standing in the prow of the ship looking at the Statue of Liberty and thinking that future generations of his family would be so much better off because he had taken this great step. Do I want to visit Poland to see his birthplace and walk on the village paths that he walked as a boy? Hell no. Yet I can go out right now and round up a whole lot of folks who are dying to go to Ireland to see the quaint, turf burning cottages that their ancestors lived in and drink in the pubs that most probably didn't exist when their ancestors were schlepping around back in the day. Once again, the story is better than the reality, so let's hang on to the story because it makes us feel better/nobler/more special.

So...I'm a cynic.

I want to visit Scotland because it's historically interesting...seems like it's always kept a healthy sense of political and intellectual independence and I admire that. It's interesting to see how the Scots of today deal with that legacy. From all that I've seen, it has some really beautiful places that I'd like to take in. And there's the connection that I feel that I have to some of these Xmarksers...I gotta try to get together with one or more of you guys...would I travel several thousand miles just to have a beer or a bite to eat with some of these guys who I consider kindred spirits? Most definitely...what's life for, anyway?

All cultures are dynamic systems...you can't go back looking for a way of life that existed several hundred years ago because it ain't there anymore. You can see the artifacts and meet the descendants of the people but those people are living in the here and now.

Best

AA

[ChromeScholar]

I expect to see the MacPherson museum. It's one of the reasons I would be going. I'd like to see some of the castles. I'd like to avoid the tourist traps, as much as possible.

[demobud]

I want to see Skye, Stornoway and up to the Orkneys. Dumfries and Ferintosh would have to be in there somewhere, of course.