Our plane descends!

                   

   I took this picture obviously from the window of the plane. I wanted to be ready to take pictures of my first sight of Scotland. However, as we continued to fly over water and land masses, I began to suspect this was not Scotland. Depending upon the flight path, this could be a picture of northern Ireland. Do you see those cliffs in the lower right side of the picture? Looks like Ireland to me!

   

Looking more like Scotland, for the ocean is giving way to land. An emotional moment for me. I wrote the following in my journal, "I have gazed upon Scotland with my own eyes for the very first time, from way up in the air, from the window of the plane!"

   

   As we descended, the patchwork pattern of the fields below came into sight. It surprised me to see so much more farmland than urban. I mean Scotland has been around for a very long time and it just seemed to me that as the population grew they might eventually run out of land for they are only an island country after all! Most of the population of Scotland is in the central belt where Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Perth. But over the years due to The Clearances during the 18th & 19th century and also due to the Potato famine thousands of Scots were displaced. So much so that there are now more Scots living outside Scotland than inside. 

   Notice the wind farms scattered below! Kind of interesting to look at really. Some people don't like them for they seem to think that Scotland's countryside is being ruined by these gigantic windmills. However, some don't seem to mind considering the renewable energy source they provide. But around 50% of the wind farms of the UK are located in Scotland. Guess they feel that's a bit much and the beauty of Scotland is being sacrificed for the whole of the UK. 

 

   Again from the window of my plane, I am getting my first glimpses of Scotland. Just over the wing you can see the famous Firth of Forth bridge. I understand this bridge is considered an iconic structure and symbol of Scotland. The building of this bridge began in 1882 and was completed in 1890 (whew, that means that it's 125 years old and it is still in operating condition). But to the Scots, I bet they don't consider that bridge to be so old. After all, there are castles still standing in Scotland that are around 500 years old and some in ruins dating back to the 1100's!

This is Barnbougle Castle near Edinburgh.
Built in the 13th century & rebuilt in 1881. 

   We haven't even landed yet and already I was seeing castles! I took this picture from the window of the plane as it flew over what looked to be a castle there on jutting out into the Firth of Forth. I did some research after I got home and I think it was highly likely that I was looking down upon Barnbougle Castle. I have inserted a picture I found on the internet!

   

We have touched Scottish soil, or at least my plane has! I keep having to remind myself to breath for the wonder of a dream becoming a reality takes my breath. In just a few minutes, I will see my son, in person for the first time in 2 years. Just breathe, Janet, just breathe!

And so the fulfillment of a dream begins!

                                      

 My daughter, Rachel, with her two daughters, 

Addie and Ainsley, took us to the airport and 

our journey to Scotland began.

With our bags checked in and
not being overweight, it
was time to sit and relax
before the long plane rides
ahead!

I wore this shirt even though even
I would admit it was pretty cheesy! But
when a dream is coming true, cheesy
doesn't matter! Can you believe
not one person asked me about
my shirt!

IN HONOR OF BAGPIPE CELEBRATION DAY, ENJOY!

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards pipes and drums perform Scotland The Brave, The Black Bear and Highland Laddie on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. In typically inclement Scottish weather, the Pipes and Drums were performing to mark the release of their second album Spirit of the Glen: Journey. Part of this album was recorded when the regiment was on active service in Iraq

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   The items that we are to pack into our suitcases to take to our son and his family are arriving on a regular basis. They live in a hot weather climate and so do we at the moment. Therefore, they have had to send warm weather clothing to us so that we could bring it to them. Temperatures will be in the low 60's and high 50's while we are there. I am borrowing big suitcases to pack all this extra stuff and to have room to bring home souvenirs. The countdown in on:  11 MORE DAYS TILL WE GET ON THE PLANE!

Happy Birthday via bagpipes!

  Yesterday was my 67th birthday and while there wasn't a celebration (yet, it will come later) my day was filled with blessings. I got phone calls and happy birthday comments from many facebook friends. I was especially delighted with this video of Happy Birthday being played on the bagpipes one of my friends sent me.

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   August 7th is only 26 days away. Packages are coming in the mail of items I am to take to my son, daughter in law, and 2 grandsons. It is getting harder and harder to keep calm. 

   The temps are to be in the high 50's and low 60's in Scotland. Now that is going to create some adjustments in my choices of clothes I will pack. Should I take summer type clothes in the hope that I will get to wear them? We could have a warm day here and there! Probably not! (Warm pjs for sure though)

   The anticipation of knowing a dream is about to come true intensifies with every passing day. And to be experiencing it with my son and his precious family? Wow, that blows my happiness meter off the chart!

Alex Beaton - These Are My Mountains clip

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/scotland-the-brave/id172741203?i=172749436

(my son bought this CD for me and sent it to me to download on my iPhone. I have such a thoughtful son, don't you agree!)

Alex Beaton is a Scottish, guitar playing folksinger who makes more than 20 concert appearances annually at various events (primarily highland games) Beaton has been called "probably the country's most popular Scottish folk singer. For awhile Alex lived in Franklin, Tennessee, but now lives in St. Peters, Missouri. (I've added a video clip of Alex singing some of his songs on a following post–enjoy!)

I bought my first Alex Beaton CD at the Highland Shoppe in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, over 30 years ago. I have been a fan ever since. His music stirred up my desire to visit the land of my dreams and now in a few short months I will be living that dream!

History of Scotland's Flag

The Saltire is the national flag of Scotland and, with a white diagonal cross on a blue background, it represents the crucifixion of the apostle St Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint.

Believed to be the oldest flag in Europe, the origin of the flag comes from an old legend. Tradition has it that the flag originated in a battle fought near the East Lothian village of Athelstaneford in AD 832.

An army of Picts and Scots under King Angus invaded the Lothians (at that time still Northumbrian territory), and found itself surrounded by a larger force of Saxons led by Athelstan. Fearing the outcome, King Angus led prayers for deliverance and was rewarded by seeing a cloud formation of a white Saltire against the blue sky.

The king vowed that if, with the saint’s help, he gained victory, then Andrew would thereafter be the patron saint of Scotland. The Scots did win, and the Saltire eventually became the flag of Scotland. 

In 2003 the Scottish Parliament specified the official colour of the flag using the international colour coding system and it was decided that the white St Andrew's Cross should appear on an azure background known as Pantone 300.

Along with the royal flag, the Lion Rampant, the Saltire can be seen flying with gusto in the crowds of international sporting events, on churches and on national and local government offices.

http://www.visitscotland.com/en-us/about/arts-culture/uniquely-scottish/saltire

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More Significant Things are happening!

With the purchase of our airline tickets, Scotland is becoming less of a dream and more of a reality!  A few days ago, while at a local Cracker Barrel, I made a significant purchase!  I bought a white patchwork lace skirt and a blue and green crocheted trimmed tunic. 

Why is this significant?

Well, when someone is planning such an extraordinary trip, wardrobe preparations must be made! This purchase was my first step towards such preparations.  There will be more, I hope! (within reason, of course)  And with each purchase my transition from dream state to reality gradually unfolds.