By Carolyn McDonald Graf The word “bannock” probably comes from the Gaelic bunnuch or bannach which means morsel and may come from the Latin word for bread panicium. A bannoch …
Scottish Signers Of the Declaration Of Independence
By Catherine McKinley As the citizens of the United States of America prepare to celebrate the 4th of July, it should be noted that the signers of the Declaration of …
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On the Trail of the Historical Macbeths
By Valerie Nieman Not much to look at, these two mounds covered with windblown grass, but they tell of the fate of nations, the death of kings. Beside Iona’s abbey …
The History of Highland Dance’s Basic Four
By Catherine McKinley Highland Dancing first came about long before recorded history. It is known, though, that this form of dance was started by Scottish Warriors as a way to …
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Tastes of Scotland: Cottage Pie
By Carolyn McDonald Graf Cottage pie, as the name suggests, is a pie of humble origins. Using simple ingredients of vegetables and meat with potatoes as a topping, it is …
Scenes from the 2024 Mystic Highland Games
Tastes of Scotland: Smothered Turkey with Walnuts
By Carolyn McDonald Graf One story goes that in 1526, a man from Yorkshire named William Strickland got two turkeys from an American Indian trader and sold them for tuppence …
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Does Scotland Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
By Catherine McKinley Saint Patrick’s Day was, officially declared in the 1630’s, to be March 17th, the date Patrick passed on in 461 AD. And while the 17th of March …
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The Celtic Roots of Our Christmas Traditions
By Catherine McKinley Mistletoe In the Celtic times, druids observed the festival of “Alban Arthan” (also known as “Yule”) during the Winter solstice. In Norse mythology, mistletoe was a symbol …
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Tastes of Scotland: Treacle Scones
By Carolyn McDonald Graf Half a pound of tupenny (= two-penny) rice,Half a pound of treacle.That’s the way the money goes,Pop! goes the weasel. Treacle brings up memories of sweets …