Errant Thoughts…

A site for me to share my thoughts, travels or whatever else might be on my mind…

Ireland and Scotland

Posted by:

|

On:

|

If I were asked to pick the country I have enjoyed visiting the most I would have to say it is a tie between Ireland and Scotland.  This may be because these two countries represent over half of my ancestry, and if you add in Scandinavia, which helped populate both Ireland and Scotland, I’ve covered nearly 70%.  It may be because they share a common language, although I have had my share of challenges with the various brogues, and they’ve had some challenges with my accent as well.  It may be the history, being an old history teacher exploring castles, battlefields, museums, ruins, legends, folklore, heroes, villains will beat a day at a beach every time.  It may be the beautiful cities and countrysides, even mentioning it takes my breath away.  The forty shades of green, rolling hills, the highlands, mountains, coastlines, cliffs, forests, farmlands, Edinburgh, Dublin, Inverness and Galway.  It may be the music, because I have certainly become a devotee of Irish and Scottish music and instruments (yes, I even love bagpipes and uilleann pipes).  It may be because I love the food.  Yes, I have heard folks say that the food in Ireland and the UK is boring… well, they just don’t like plain, hearty food in plentiful portions.  It may be because I love the ales and stouts… which I do.  I know that many folks enjoy hoppy beers like IPAs, or beers with additives increasing the alcohol or adding additional flavors like fruits, coffee, syrups, etc.  For me there is nothing better than a fine malty ale or stout.  It may be because I love pubs.  Well, why wouldn’t I?  The pubs are where I can eat the best food, drink the best beverages, and listen to the music I love.  Finally, it may be the people who seem to me to be the kindest and most welcoming folk in all the world.  Bottom line, no one thing makes Ireland and Scotland my favorites… everything does.

IrelandCheck out the gallery of pictures including people, places, castles, ruins, landscapes, churches and stuff I find interesting.

ScotlandCheck out the gallery of pictures including people, places, castles, ruins, landscapes, churches and stuff I find interesting.

Posted by

in

3 responses to “Ireland and Scotland”

  1. Ken Isaac Avatar
    Ken Isaac

    Hello … my old friend Freddie & I, we are going on a road trip to Dumfries and Galloway next week & I thought of you because of your love of Scotland.
    He’s 78 & I’m 75 … what could possibly go wrong?
    I’ll post pics to make you jealous ???

    1. Dave Avatar

      Have a great time and please post pictures and suggestions of places and pubs I need to go to!

      Dave

  2. Ken Isaac Avatar
    Ken Isaac

    Hello … my old friend Freddie & I, we are going on a road trip to Dumfries and Galloway next week & I thought of you because of your love of Scotland.
    He’s 78 & I’m 75 … what could possibly go wrong?
    I’ll post pics to make you jealous ???