The Stone of Destiny (the stone of scone)

Brought from Ireland when the celts came to Scotland, as legend has it, the stone of destiny was the symbol of Scottish rule. Wherever the stone was, the Scottish people ruled. When a scottish king got coronated it was this stone that was a key part in the ceremony. Alot of people don't realize just how important this stone was to the people of Scotland, right in the stone of destiny is what the scottish people have been fighting for centuries, and still, to this day, dont have, freedom.

In 1296 the Stone was captured by Edward I as spoils of war and taken to Westminster Abbey, where it was fitted into a wooden chair. It was almost a sign to the people of scotland, that the english were taking over. Some say that the people of Scotland took the real stone of destinyand hid it somewhere, giving the english nothing but an ordinary stone. Nobody really knows. THe stone is made out of a material taht is not found in ireland, and is only around scone, but whose to say that the legend about it coming from ireland was true?

On Christmas Day 1950, a group of four Scottish students (Ian Hamilton, Gavin Vernon, Kay Matheson, and Alan Stuart) took the Stone from Westminster Abbey for return to Scotland.^[9] In the process of removing it from the Abbey the stone broke into two pieces. I watched a movie on it called "the stone of destiny" which I highly recommend, though parts of it were kind of boring. They said in the movie, that after the stone was stolen, the pride of scottish people returned to the country. Flags were waved and everything. Apparently alot of people in Scotland have this weighed down pride, instead of calling their country scotland they call it britton or something. I personally think that the english are trying to keep scottish pride low, like they have for centuries. I watched a documentary on that too, it upset me. The english have been opressing Scottish people for centuries, they wouldnt let them use weapons or play bagpipes. Especially that one king who took the stone of destiny. He hated scottish people, he even made the scots sign something saying he was the true king of scotland. I'm also going to admit that he stole some important scottish documents and relics, which he put on a beat that sunk in the ocean. All that history, gone, because an english king couldnt keep his greedy hands to himself. Despicable. Its funny, when the announcer said that the president of the highland games was born in england, a bunch of people in the crowd made this disaproving sound. Of course he was scottish though, so it was forgiven. That isnt even mentioning that hte english sold scots to the american colonies as slaves, and killed william wallace (another article I need to do).

In 1996, in a symbolic response to growing dissatisfaction among Scots at the prevailing constitutional settlement, the British Conservative Government decided that the Stone should be kept in Scotland when not in use at coronations. So the stone is usually kept in scotland now, it took centuries, but that right was ackowledged eventually. Yes, I do mean to bash the english in this article.

The Stone, although not directly referred to, was mentioned in Macbeth "...[we shall travel to be] crowned at Scone..." and in case you didnt know, macbeth was scottish...

John Balliol was the last Scottish king to be crowned on the stone at Scone in 1292.

Stone of destiny movie QUOTES:

"On that day I heard the voice of Scotland speak as loudly as it did in 1320. As long as a hundred of us remain alive, we shall never give in to the domination of the English. We fight not for glory, not for wealth, nor honors, but only and alone for freedom, which no good man surrenders but with his life."

"This road leads you out of London. Take it"

"[Worried about their previous encounter with the police] They've got our names."....."They've also got our stone!"

"It was only a rock, a big lump of sandstone, you might pass right by it, but to us, it was symbol of our freedom, of our independence. We all knew about it of course, we learned as children how it was the Scottish stone of kings, but they took it from us. And as a nation is suppose we'd forgotten about it. Time does that. It was history"

"All great schemes are crazy. That's what makes 'em great."

" Is it alright if I have a look around?.....
As long as you promise not to take anything."]

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"We were bought and sold for english gold

what a parcel of rogues in a nation"

--parcel of rogues

---JSparrow

Just got back from the highland games!!

There are very few times in my life when I have felt so incredibly at home somewhere. I loved living with my grandpa and grandma Gordon, even if I got yelled at sometimes. That was probably the last place that really felt like home to me, and I moved out before eighth grade. The highland games in NH was home to me for two days, the effect was instant (unlike with the donny dr house which took time). As we drove up and the mountains started appearing, "my hearts in the highlands" by pur started to play. It was enchanting and I found myself tearing up. Whenever I hear that song I picture myself looking at a mirror. I sing the english part, then my reflection sings the gaelic part, then we go back and forth at the end. We are talking in different languages, but we are saying the same thing.

Getting on the bus, and walking across that bridge with the mountains around me was breathtaking. Seeing the first bagpiper walk by, oh I couldn't even contain my excitment. The first thing we did was get food, of course. I tried rumplethumps, which are potatoes and cabbage mixed together. I also had caukoleeki soup, a meat pie (which my granny used to eat alot), and a scotch egg, let me just say that Scotland isnt known for their food. But what do you expect? They live in the highlands with terrible winters, sheep is about all they got. I didnt try haggis, call me unadverturoud but I just couldnt do it. We took our food to the stands where we watched a group of bagpipes play. Then the different clans came out to the song "its all for the tartan." During the ceremony, the announcer talked about a special guest that we were lucky to have. Apparently this guest just recovered from a couple of knee injuries, the announcer asked him how his knee was going. The guest marched a little and started bending his knees. The announcer said he could do better than that, so the man got on his knees, then he pulled out a ring for the woman infront of him. She said yes! I cheered so loud, what a clever way to propose. The first stand I went to I gota shirt with a thistle on it, it says "God man scots a wee bit better." I carried around a scottish flag with me everywhere, ad the woman at the stand said to my mother "Doesnt it make you proud that she is carrying the flag?" my mom said "She always makes me proud. I liked that lady, she talked to me a little about hertitage. There was a book there on the stone of destiny, which I havent done an article on! whoops

You arent allowed to have a stand at the highland games unless you completely scottish and have references, so everything was scottish. I loved that. I get lonely alot, and sometimes I think I am really weird because nobody around me cares about this stuff like me. The highland games were different though, everyone was tapping their foot to the music, wearing kilts, and having a blast celebrating. It was refreshing to see other people lvoe what I do. It was fun to celebrate my culture with people. I watched the highland dancers, which I loved!!! They did the traditional dance to "brocham lom" and the second day I watched the group and solo choreography which was just beautiful. There was a girl there that is third in the world, she is a physical therapist and has red hair. I also think she teaches the dance. You have to be built for this dance, meaning skinny and dainty.

The stands were so fun, there were pins with different crests, and scarfs with different tartans. Pouches for kilts, and kilts for kilts. Shoes for kilts, necklaces, hairpieces, earrings, flags, everything. I got two pins, one with a thistle, another with the duncan crest. I got three necklaces, one with the Gordon crest, one with lucky heather in it, and another that is celtic. I got a hairpiece with four-leaf clovers on it, and a sign thing with quotes from different scottish folk songs. I used up my one-hundred dollars for doing the mri. I also got a Gordon scarf, which I wore with the pins the second day diagonally across my shirt. I was sure proud to wear it. I get some kind of satisfaction knowing that I can wear the tartan and not everyone in the world can with the same meaning. My pride in being scottish rose ten fold when I had some of that good-ole scottish shortbread cookies. SO good!

I took pictures for photography too, I was a little shy asking, but I never got turned down. Every guy was really nice, one called me sweet heart. My step dad (irish) Barney decided to stay behind a while and sit ona bench, he said that people came up to him whenever he fell asleep and woke him up asking if he was alright. Funny. It was like everyone was all one family. when they saw my tartan they either asked me what I was or knew it straight off the bat. I saw a few Gordons, the first day on the bus,  and the second day at the resturant, but the clan wasnt officially there. Duncan was there though! I met a man who reminded me of my granny. He gave me a pamphlet about the history of the duncans and a bow with some variation of the tartan (since the real tartan can only be on a kilt or something with that clan). He gave me info about joining the clan. He talked to me for a while, he was nice. I visitied alot of the clan tents, and I got warm-welcomes all around.

Mom got root bear with a leprochon on it. She wanted the cup, so I drank it. I got it from a barrel and it was handmade, so cool! The refills were only a dollar.

There was this guy singing folk songs the whole time by the highland games rock. Every time I passed him he was playing a song I knew. I felt so smart! He sang "roaming in the gloaming" which my great grandma margaret duncan used to sing all the time in the nursing home. It got stuck in my moms head on the way back on the shuttle bus, so she sang it. When my stepdad looked at her she shook her head and pointed to me, saying "She's rubbing off on me." THere were alot of musicians, all of them were great. They made you want to get up and jump around. Albannach was there, and apparently they are really popular because there was a shirt stand and tons of people were there to see them. THe music is important to me, because it was the music that guided me to the highland games in the first place. I got to listen to all of my scottish folk songs on the ride there and back :)

We watched log throwing, which was cool. I couldnt even believe what some of those men could do! The announcer guy for it was really funny. He had a scottish accent. At one point a guy said "get over there!" to the log and the announcer said "no you didnt quite get it over there, but you certainly got it every high." One man there just recovered from a back injury. The first time he got the log he had to go backwards with it and start over. The second time he got it to flip, and the announcer said "I knew he could do it!" I cant even imagine the strenth it must take to do that! Its all becasue the english wouldnt let the scots have weapons, thats why they started tossing trees and everything, oppression is terrible, but it brings out inventive things. That log was soooo long, it was practically a tree. I was amazed. Mom and I sat on the grass eating out shortbread cookies as we watched.

I personally think that men look amazing in kilts, and I'm not the only person. Lots of people at the games admitted they looked better that way. I mean, kilts look great, even if its not a tartan design on it. The men with kilts really looked more manly to me. They also seemed really nicer. Its funny how perspective changes when you start to understand the soul behind something. A kilt looks like a skirt from a shallow point of view, but once you understand it, suddenly its a symbol of pride, manlihood, comfort, and much more. Its the traditional dress of a scottish someone who knows who they are, are proud of who they are, and are completely comfortable with themselves. I admired them, cant you tell? All the hotels in the area were booked with scottish people, so the hotels put up scottish flags. The comunity really got into the spirit, all the policemen had kilts on.

I had fun. I got to live in my scottish fantasy for two days. Its almost like it exists now! I was so happy to be there, I belong there. I cant remmember the last time I've been so thrilled to do something. I've been having a hard time lately with school, work, and a few health problems, so a little happiness goes a long way. I've decided to marry a scottish man. I'm going to get a scottish last name, he is going to wear kilts, and we are going to take our children to the nh highland games every year. The boys and girls are going to wear kilts and sing folk songs with me. When they are older and complain, well, at least they have that base ground of scottish roots. My last name should be Gordon like my moms, like my grandparents who raised me for most of my life. I'm a Gordon. Granted, I am a Duncan too, but there was more kinship on the gordon side.

well, I guess I have to fold my tartans for now.
Oidhche mhath (goodnight) to all my precious kith 'n kin!

"Some hae meat and canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it;

But we hae meat, and we can eat,

And sae let the Lord be thankit."

--Selkirk grace

"Oh what do I care for your castle and coaches?
And what do I care for your gay grandeury?
I'd rather be home at my cot, at my spinning
Or herding my flocks on the hills of Glenshee"
--lass of glenshee

--JSparrow

Its a funny thing...

Uniqueness is something to celebrate, I've always believed that, how could I not? I'm american!
Well, I'm unique because I love cultures, I'm unique because I picked tartans as a theme in photography. I am unique for a thousand reasons. Did you know that there are estimated 35 million people around the world today are of Scottish descent? Now that seems like alot, but compared to the 7 billion people in the world, that really isnt alot, which means I am unique!

Its funny when I am with a friend and I am telling them about my scottish adventures. They listen politely and laugh alittle, never forgetting to put a hand over my mouth when I over do it. I feel less lost when I am talking to my asian friend about the traditional food her mom cooks. I feel more comfortable when I am talking to my hispanic friend when she talks about the bi-lingual life, and you know why? Its because I am Scottish, and I know what that means. I can contribute to conversations about cultures. You have dark skin because you are african? well, I have white skin because I am scottish. You listen to songs in spanish becasue you are hispanic? well, I listen to scottish folk songs. You put some spicy spice on your food because you are from korea? well, I like beef stew and porriage because I am scottish. You wear a yukata at family weddings? well I would wear a kilt (if i was a man..) You have your symbols, I have mine. It makes me feel better. I am connected to a culture too, I just didnt know it. I just never realized it.

Its true that a person needs to have a culture to lean back on, and if there are multiple, like with me, they need to pick one that they can be proud of, and celebrate it.

--JSparrow

Tartans for me :)

Yesterday I went and got alot of tartan fabric for the photography project. I got a yard of about five different kinds and they are so pretty. The good, soft ones were on sale, so I even got the ones I really wanted. One of them is the gordon tartan, it is so pretty! I'm thrilled to have it! Another one is mcgregor, I'm not sure what the other ones are, but one is yellow, another is multicolored (red blue etc.) and the last one reminds me of fall becasue of the browns and reds. I was thinking I could wrap one around my seven year old brother (who is adorable) and take pictures of him. I could even hang one from a tree branch (I really love trees).

This weekend is the highland games in nh, and I'll be going!! There was a problem with my work, because even though I asked for the day off, the schedual said I was working. I had asked twice and made sure it was alright three times so I was a little annoyed with the mistake. My manager had said if he made a mistake he would fix it, so when I told him it was wrong he said he would take care of it. My mom printed out the events. She only wants to go to the festival for one day, which really annoys me, and even worse she wants to go on sunday because she thinks there are better things sunday (which isnt true). The problem is I will die if I have to wait another day to go, and what if we miss really fun things? It really has me down, but I cant do more than just tell my mom I would rather go both days. My mom will make her desision, and even though I've been looking forward to this forever, I guess Ill just have to accept it. She wants to go to mount washington. I love trees but we are already going to loon mountain so really, what is the difference?

Its early, and I was actually going to do my math homework, but my online textbook website is down. ALot of computer things havent been working for me. I bought an itunes gift card, and the codes didnt work for some reason. I've been going back and forth with emails from some worker named Jean without any solution. It has almost been a week. I took photos of the recept and the cards (front and back) but she says she hasnt been getting them. It makes me wish I could just go somewhere to get this done, or call someone, or even if someone could come to my house. It would be so much easier and quicker that way. I've been listening to the same folk songs for too long, I need new songs, and I'm not a very patient person. On the days I wanted to relax and do Itunes I couldnt, and if it doesnt get straightened out tomorrow or today then I'll have to wait another week.

well thats my quick morning update, I'll give you something better afterschool.

--Jsparrow

Love trouble

love is something that shows up alot in scottish folk songs and tales. There is one song called the fairy's love song where a fairy is talking about how her human love is across the river (and of course fairy's can't go across the river in scottish tales, and fairy's and humans together is a nono). The song is about how tired she is of working, the way fairy's work. The song is called "Tha Mi Sgith" which means "I am tired." There are other songs too, pretty much any song with a girls name as a title is about how a man loves her or wants her to marry him. There are also songs about weddings in gaelic. Stories like braveheart, or even something like laiden's daughter all talk about love. Robert Burns, though he had a wide range of topics has many love poems. I can't name a single culture in all of my studying and discovering that cherishes, and believes in love the way that the scottish culture seems to (Except maybe ireland, but they both have the same roots so it makes sense).

I've always been the kind of person who doesn't usually like love songs. I don't have any experience in love, so singing a song about love seems kind of hypocritical. I can never sing those songs with meaning, because I have nothing to contribute to them. When it comes to scottish songs though, I don't mind love songs because they are nice, pure of heart and are just fn to sing. Bonnie banks of loch lomond for example has an amazing story and meaning to it that I can't help but love, and a beautiful melody. "Ae fond kiss" rhymes in some places and is just a nice song to sing. I wish I knew why I love these songs so much, I can't even believe that I can sing the love songs and have my heart spread open wide.

With all of this scottish love, I've been really wondering about love. I've been really wondering if it exists and what is it? I was under the impression that someone you love is someone you can't live without, but that doesnt make sense because people get divorced, and people die, and like goes on. So I asked my mom and she said that loving someone is when you can't imagine your life without them. I believe that, because I couldn't live without my mom or my little brother, or many other people who are important to me, and I have to see them every now and then. (I brought my brother to the park and miky D's last night).

The reason I was asking is really because I've had a crush on someone for a long time. I don't think I love him, but I can sure imagine my life with him. I've liked him for a long time, and every time I see him my heart beats faster. I want to tell him everything and share everything with him, and I want to protect him. It wasn't meant to be between us, and I know that. Sometimes I am afraid that what I feel is only lack of something or just plain infatuation, I honestly can't tell. I told myself to stop liking him, and sometimes when I think about him I have to chant to myself to stop. I just can't help but feel that we are the same somehow, but at the same time I think that there are tons of other girls (and there are) that feel the same way as me, and they have broken up so I probably would too. Its infuriating. I remmember our eyes met, and I couldnt look away. I tried, in order to tear my eyes away I had to turn my head away, because my eyes wouldnt follow. He doesnt like me, and I know it, but I can't seem to forget about him. Even if we are apart for a year I still think about him, and when I stop to think about him it breaks my heart. Its stupid.

I want the kind of love in scottish tales and folk songs. He probably isn't the guy for me to have that with, so I guess all I can do is accept it. If a good guy can make me feel like I can start singing love songs, and doesn't get annoyed when I play Scottish music every now and then, he will be the one. ( a kilt wouldnt hurt either lol)

Photography class

I'm taking a photography class this year, and I'm soo excited for it! Considering how bad I am at using technology, it was probably a bad idea to take this course, but I'm ready to learn. Two of my friends that are taking it with me are experts at photography. They take pictures in their spare time, going to places in the woods, and driving all over town. They know how to make something seemingly normal, into something absolutely breathtaking. The first one is good at using the camera, she knows how to do everything. The second one knows all the terms, what they mean, and how they change a picture. In comparison, I know nothing, and I sure don't have a manual camera of my own. Mine is the simple click and take one.

Anyway, in this class he gives the unfortunate people like me a camera, and we learn how the camera works. Then we do a series of projects. For the main project you have to pick a theme to take photos of, then you have to take a certain amount of pictures of it per week. At teh end of the class you should have at least five hundred pictures using that theme, and you have to pick your favorites and create a photo book of it. Sounds fun to me!

I didn't know what to do for a theme, I was thinking of world cultures, because my room is full of cultural stuff, but that wasn't a specific enough theme. Then I thought about trees, but since the class end around january, I realized that there wouldn't be leaves on the trees for a long time during the class. My mom suggested native american things, but that would require alot of traveling, and with school and work I wasn't sure I would have the time by the deadlines to do it. Scotland of course was on my mind, it always is, but I don't have the much Scottish stuff. Actually, I have pretty much nothing. I'm going to the highland games at the end of the month, but other than that, well, what would I take pictures on? I wanted something that would inspire me to take pictures, and what could be better than scottish things? As I thought that I remmembered the scarf with the black and white tartan I wear all the time. Then I thought of the mills around here, and of course the highland games. Why not tartans? So that is my theme! Tartans!

I haven't worked with the camera much so I don't have any pictures, but I can promise I will work hard on them and put some extra good ones on here. Be prepared to tap into my mind a little, to see what I see. Since the teacher has alot of students, and there will be alot of pictures, I want somewhere to put the pictures where I can explain them properly, and talk about my thinking, thats where this place comes into play. I hope you enjoy them, I'll put them up as soon as I take them!

Here are some photos I found on the internet with tartans, thoughts?
































--JSparrow

Puirt-a-beul

I've been really busy lately with work and school. The second I get home I have to rush to get dressed and go to Mcdonalds. It seems like I haven't had a break since school started which is actually only a few days ago. Already I am worn-out. The only thing that gets me through the day are my scottish folk songs. I listen to them on the way to school or work, and sing along. If I get to work early, I stay in my car for a few minutes and listen to them. They calm me down. Its amazing how something familiar and simple yet beautiful can relax you. All dring work I was singing a song called Puirt-a-buel by rachel walker.

Puirt-a-beul is actually a type of song from Scotland and parts of Ireland. It is otherwise known as the tune of the mouth, a joyful tune. Other ways of spelling this is port à beul, port-a-beul, puirt a bheul, and puirt a' bhéil. This music originated in places where the people were repressed, and musical intruments banned. This type of music was the supstitute for muscial intruments and was used for entertainment and dancing. Usually the melody is more important than the message. Everytime I hear this type of music, it always facinates me that it is Scottish Gaelic, and that they are actually saying something. If I didn't know any better I would think it was gibberish, which is why it facinates me. I also love the tunes, the repetition, everything.



Some songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovhNIBnH9es

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMfy04JXv9c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj_gnLBsPEk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CVbqQ8n9IY&feature=related

Another song like this is Brochan Lom, 's morag, and many more I don't know. I suggest you check it out. It is really hard to learn them because they are fast, and even learning from lyrics can seem impossible at times because of how different english and gaelic are, but it is worth it. When you sing puit-a-beul you feel like you are really saying something, and the meoldies make you feel like you are part of something bigger. I love this type of music, I am so glad I found it. Rachel Walker's version is also amazing, you'd love it!

Robert Burns

Robert Burns is a scottish poet/lyricist who wrote many of the dozens of folk songs I like to listen to. He is also known as Rabbie Burns, Scotland's favourite son, the Ploughman Poet, Robden of Solway Firth, the Bard of Ayrshire and as The Bard. He writes his poems in english, or the language of the scots. Many of his poems have become songs, and are some of the best ones I have come across, the most popular being auld lang syne otherwise known as the new years song. His songs talk about love, nature, and events/times in history with a huge emphasis on Scotland in general. It is clear from his songs that he is Scottish. The country, the highlands, and many culturally Scottish things are put easily into his lyrics, and without them the songs wouldn't feel right. When I listen to many of his songs, I feel Scottish, and more than that the lyrics make me proud of my heritage. At the same time, there are songs about feelings, and songs about love. Rabbie can capture a moment that is relatable to everyone.

Here are a list of songs by rabbie burns that I can't help but love, I'll bold my absolute favorites...
sweet afton
Duncan gray
The slaves lament
Ay, Waukin, O
rattlin roarin willie
the lea-rigg
ye jacobites by name
rantin rovin robin
leezie lindsay
scots wha hae
Ye Banks And Braes O' Bonie Doon
Lassie Wi' The Lintwhite Locks
The Birks Of Aberfeldy
O Tibbie, I Hae Seen The Day
Such A Parcel Of Rogues In A Nation
O My Luve's Like A Red, Red Rose
Killiecrankie
There'll Never Be Peace 'Till Jamie Comes Hame
Awa, Whigs, Awa
Charlie, he's my darling
Green grow the rashes, O
Ae fond kiss
My heart's in the highlands
My love she's but a lassie yet

"We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne."
--Auld lang syne (In English not scots)

And that isn't even close to half the songs he has written! I've already discussed many of these songs, now that I think about it. My hearts in the highlands was in my post about going to maine, ye banks and braes of bonie doon I wrote a whole post about. Scots wha hae was in my last post when I was talking about how scotland opposed slavery, as well as the slaves lament. As for the red, red rose song, it is the first poem I ever memorized, I actually bought a poetry book, and was so extastic to find this poem was the first under the love catagory. Awa whigs awa is just a fun song, I got a version with a harmonica by james malcolm which just makes you want to dance. Green grow the rashes is just a nice melody, I got the pur version that also sings it in scottish gaelic. Lastly, Ae fond kiss, this song is actually one I knew before I started to learn about Scotland, because it is an american folk song too! The scottish people must have brought it over with them! I love this song, it is as simple as that. There are some songs that you have a thousand explanations for loving, but every now and then you find a song that speaks for itself, ae fond kiss is one of those songs. I love this song so much it goes beyond words.

“But to see her was to love her,
Love but her, and love forever.
Had we never lou'd sae kindly,
Had we never lou'd sae blindly,
Never met - nor never parted -
We had ne'er been broken hearted” 
--Ae Fond Kiss

So, who is this amazing poet Robert Burns? He has an incredible voice, which shows in all of his work. He is referenced by countless people. His songs are sung all over Scotland, and auld lang syne stretches all over the world. He was a master, his beliefs were strong, and right, but what was his life like?

 
“Ye Hypocrites, are these your pranks
To murder men and gie God thanks
Desist for shame, proceed no further
God won't accept your thanks for murder.” 
--RB
 

Well, Robert Burns was born on 25th January 1759, in the village of Alloway, Ayrshire, which is a small village near to the town of Ayr on the West Coast of Scotland. His father, was an extremely poor man and in 1750 had moved to the area in search of work, which he found at Doonholm market garden. William Burnes (rabbie's father), (note the original spelling, later changed by Robert Burns himself) was granted a tenancy or lease over a small area of farmland which he worked while also continuing in his position as Head Gardener at Doonholm. He met and married Agnes Broun, a local girl, and built a small cottage at the farm. Robert Burns was born in this cottage, the eldest son of a poor peasant farmer. Image that, another amazing human being that grew up with harship. As a small child he worked long hours with his father, and many evenings were spent huddled round the fire listening to his mother's stories and his father reading from the bible (Which sounds like the most cozy family evening I could ever think of, but I'm sure there were times it wasn't so cozy). .

 

William Burnes contracted the services of a local teacher, John Murdoch. At an early age, it was apparent to Murdoch that the young Robert showed the potential of a gifted scholar. For Robert, the combination of poverty, hard work on the farm, story telling, the influence of the Kirk , his studies, and a tremendous ability to observe life in general, was the making of The Man. He would develop a wicked sense of humour, a controversial frankness decrying hypocrisy, a tender & thoughtful creativity, an alleged thirst for drink, a deep Nationalist pride in his beloved Scotland, and an insatiable passion for Women.

 

“Some hae meat, and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, And sae the Lord be thankit.”      

--selkirk grace (Prob not his but its associated with him) 

 

When his father died in 1784, Robert and his brother became partners in the farm. Robert Burns had some misadventures with the ladies resulting in several illegitimate children, including twins to the woman who would become his wife, Jean Armour.

Now, I can't mention Robert without talking about a Burns supper. Since Rabbie is so popular, there are alot of people who want to celebrate his poetry and its Scottish ties. I am one of these people, but I've never experienced a burns supper because when it comes down to it, I grew up in America. At a burns supper, scottish people do just that, celebrate Burns and their culture! There are bagpipers, haggis (which doesn't sound too good to me, but to each his own), kilts, poetry etc.


“But pleasures are like poppies spread; You seize the flower, its bloom is shed. Or like the snow falls in the river, A moment white--then melts forever.”      
--RB


There is a legend about how the Burns suppers started:

In 1801, on the fifth anniversary of the death of Robert Burns, nine men who knew him met for dinner in Burns Cottage in Alloway to celebrate his life and works. The Master of Ceremonies was a local minister a liberal theologian and an equally liberal host. Hamilton Paul and his guests shared Masonic brotherhood with Rabbie and Paul devised an evening which looked a bit like a lodge ceremonial, centred on a fine fat haggis; with recitation and singing of Burns's works and a toast (in verse) to the memory of their friend and hero.

It was such a jolly evening, all agreed to meet again the following January for a Birthday Dinner for the bard, little knowing that they had invented a global phenomenon that we know as the BURNS SUPPER. Burns's popularity grew rapidly after his untimely death and the idea of meeting annually to share his poems and songs in the bonds of friendship caught the public imagination. Some Ayrshire merchants in Greenock followed with the first Burns Club Supper in January 1802 and the West coast towns with strong links to Rabbie reached out and joined in the new festival: Paisley, Irvine, Kilmarnock and Dumfries.

 “While Europe's eye is fix'd on mighty things,
The fate of empires and the fall of kings;
While quacks of State must each produce his plan,
And even children lisp the Rights of Man;
Amid this mighty fuss just let me mention,
The Rights of Woman merit some attention.”
--RB

Typically, a dozen or more men sat down to dine - as often working men as the middle classes - sometimes in a bar Rab had frequented. But the real link was his poetry with its message of love, freedom and the essential value of humanity. Many early suppers were organised by Burns Clubs who exist today, but a big boost in participation came with the big literary Burns Suppers, the original organised by Sir Walter Scott in Edinburgh in 1815 with Hogg the Ettrick Shepherd giving the Immortal Memory.

Here is a link on how to celebrate a burns supper:

ehow

“What's a' your jargon o' your schools, Your Latin names for horns and stools; If honest nature made you fools.”