my English friends often ask me why I don’t really celebrate Christmas. I try to explain that New Year is a more important celebration in Scotland than is Christmas – or at least it was when I was growing up in Scotland so that has kind of shaped my attitude towards Christmas. That then leads to another question – why have Scots traditionally celebrated New Year more than Xmas. A question I’ve – till now – been unable to answer. Now that I’ve stumbled upon this video, however, I’m ready for the next person to ask me that question
one of the things I miss living where I now do is – snow
I loved winters in Scotland and Canada for the weeks of deep, deep snow. Here in Brum, we’re lucky to get a few centimeters for a day or two before it melts away so the news this morning that Scotland was expecting 40 days of snow got me reminiscing about past winters in Scotland and wishing I was back home again
Coincidentally, a friend today emailed me a link to this . .
today being St Andrew’s Day (Andrew being the patron saint of Scotland) gives me the perfect excuse to play a couple of songs that tug at my heart strings . . .
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Soft spoken and genial, he uses calming background music and most of his footage is stable rather than bouncing along at the end of a selfie stick. (thank god)
‘I wish you would use all means at your disposal — films, the web, expeditions, new submarines, a campaign! — to ignite public support for a network of global marine protected areas, hope spots large enough to save and restore the ocean, the blue heart of the planet‘ – Dr. Sylvia Earle 2009 TED
the Argyll coast of western Scotland, and the islands off shore, are the UK’s first Mission Blue Hope Spot
. p.s. be sure to watch the video in full screen mode
