Contributed by Marilyn McPhie, as told by storyteller Liz Weir What would you do if you suddenly received a gift of gold from a stranger? Many years ago, there was an old couple that lived in a small cottage in the glens. Things were not going well for them. They had one cow which had …
(Left) Me and my mom dressed in full chattan on The RMS Queen Mary before we had dinner at Sir Winston’s and the captain asked if he could escort us and so I asked for a picture.(Right) Generation photo of me, my mother, and my grandfather at the hotel before the games – our first time together in …
— Contributed by Marilyn McPhie What’s the difference between beginner and expert bagpipers? Nothing. Why do bagpipe players always walk when they play? To get away from the sound. My neighbors love my 3am bagpipe practice They even throw bricks through my window so they can hear it better. I received an award from the …
Contributed by Arch Aitcheson of Temecula, CA — Scottish grandmother’s (Marion Niven Aitcheson) shortbread recipe. It is a tradition for four generations on this side of the pond! Buttery and yummy! Ingredients: 1lb unsalted butter 5 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed) Directions: Preheat oben to 350 degrees …
I was born in Glasgow, Scotland and my parents emigrated to the US when I was six. I grew up in Michigan and California. Once I had my own children, we took them to the SD Scottish Highland Games every year. It was important to me for my kids to know their heritage. Plus, the …
Contributed by Marilyn McPhie Dan Brown didn’t own the land he farmed. He leased it from a landlord he’d never met. Dan’s dealings were only with the land agent. Dan and his wife had lived on the land for more than twenty years, and things had been good. He kept the wee house in good …
–Contributed by Marilyn McPhie Many years ago, in a humble croft in Scotland, there lived an old woman with her son, Jack. Everyone in town knew about Jack. He was, everyone knew, a foolish boy Jack may not have been very smart, but he was strong, and cheerful, and willing to work, and he kept …
Contributed by Marilyn McPhie Long, long ago in the Shetland Islands, there was a woman named Mallie. Mallie’s husband had been lost at sea, so she was a widow, but she was not alone. She had three sons, who were all fine young men, teenagers. And like all teenagers, they seemed to always be hungry, …
Contributed by Marilyn McPhie Once upon a time there were seven brothers. They lived by themselves in a small cottage, for their parents were long gone. One day, weary of doing the household chores and dissatisfied with the routine of their lives, they realized that everything would be much improved if they were married. Alas, …
Contributed by Marilyn McPhie There was once a lass who went out at the cry of dawn to wash her face in the morning dew, for it was well known that the morning dew would make her skin soft and lovely. But the lass never came home again. Her father frowned and her mother wept, …