San Diego Scottish Highland Games
The Ghostly Piper of Duntrune Castle contributed by Marilyn McPhieThis is the time of year for spooky stories. And what better setting for a ghost story that an ancient Scottish Castle?To this day, many people firmly believe that the beautiful Duntrune Castle in the highlands of Scotland is haunted by theghost of a piper who …
Long, long ago there was a rich laird. He had many friends and a large estate, and he was known as an excellent hunter. One morning he was riding through his land and he saw a large and impressive crane. Immediately he thought to himself, “This would make a fine feast for a dinner with …
A Scottish Romeo and Juliet Story Contributed by Marilyn McPhie Isle Maree is one of sixty-six small islands on Loch Maree in the west of Scotland. Hundreds of years ago, Loch Maree was ruled by a Viking Prince named Olaf. He was a skilled and fierce warrior and commanded a group of fighters on a …
Contributed by Marilyn McPhie Robert Burns is known worldwide as one of Scotland’s most famous sons. He was born on January 25, 1759, in Ayrshire, Scotland, and every year on his birthday there are many, many festive gatherings to celebrate this Scottish poet. As with most celebrities, fans have always wished to have a souvenir …
Contributed by Marilyn McPhie Visitors to Scotland have always admired – and photographed – the River Shin near Inverness. They say that there is no more beautiful spot in all of Scotland than the west bank that leads to the Shin Falls. The steep bank of the river is covered with birches, bracken, moor flowers, …
Contributed by Marilyn McPhie Many years ago in the Spey Valley, there lived a notable woman. Some called her a witch, but if that was true, she was a witch of the very best kind. She was called Dame Aliset, and she had great skill and knowledge. She could predict the weather. And, with little …
Contributed by Marilyn McPhie Once long ago, there was a man and a woman who lived in a small cottage in Orkney. They shared the cottage with twoothers – their son and a cow. The cow’s name was Bukolla, and the man and woman valued her greatly. Every day shegave them no less than forty …
Contributed by Marilyn McPhie There was a man named John Roy who dived in Glenbrown, in the parish of Abernethy, Scotland manyyears ago. One evening he was searching for some lost cattle in the nearby hills. He happened to see agroup of fairies, and it seemed to John Roy that the fairies were carrying something …
Contributed by Marilyn McPhieMary McPhee was content with her life. She lived in a small cottage on the west of Scotland, and she lived alone –except for her orange cat, Clementine – for her husband John had died a decade before, and they had no children. ButMary McPhee was well-regarded and well-loved in the village …
Contributed by Marilyn McPhie James V of Scotland had been crowned when he was only two years old, and like many kings before and since, he often wondered what life would have been like if he had been one of his subjects, rather than royalty. He sometimes amused himself by dressing as a commoner and …