Today was another catch-up day as we ready for our Scotland trip. In London the temperature is anywhere from 67 to 69 during the day. In Edinburgh the temperature can vary from 55 degrees to 65. Definitely cooler. So, we are packing our warmer clothes for this trip, just in case.
Like we often do at home, we had leftovers for dinner tonight. Ham sandwiches for hubby and a prepackaged hamburger for me with lightly sea salted crisps. We figure we'll most likely be eating out a lot in Scotland, so we ate cheaply tonight.
Tomorrow we leave for Kings Cross station, board our train, then watch as we slowly travel north from England into Scotland, which is a different country. Even though the Scots speak English, their terms for things are a little different. A phrase used at Hogmanay (celebrated on New Year's Eve) that is used to wish someone well is "Lang may yer lum reek," which is literally translated as "long may your chimney smoke," but roughly means "May you live long and stay well." This reflects how important a burning fire was to the Scots.
Food can be different, too. I am open to tasting different things, but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to order haggis (a savoury pudding containing sheep's pluck (heart, liver and lungs); minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally encased in the animal's stomach and simmered for approximately three hours, though most modern commercial haggis is prepared in a sausage casing rather than an actual stomach). I've heard it tastes like a nutty version of oatmeal. Okay, a taste maybe.
Even their Royal Coat of Arms differs from the one the Queen uses in England and Northern Ireland.
The motto "Nemo Me Inpune Lacessit" translates as "No one wounds (touches) me with impunity." In the Scottish version, both the Lion (England) and the Unicorn (Scotland) are crowned, however, like it is in the the English version, the Unicorn remains chained because an unchained unicorn is considered a dangerous beast. The Unicorn holds the flag of St. Andrew, while the Lion holds the flag of St. George. Surrounding the shield in the Scottish Coat of Arms is the collar of the Order of the Thistle vs. the Order of the Garter on the Coat of Arms used in England.
Well, I'd best get back to packing. I hope to have more pictures to share with you tomorrow night. In the meantime, "Lang may yer lum reek."
Well, I don't have a lum to reek, but it sounds like the weather in Scotland is a bit like it is here. Interesting notes about the flags. I never thought about a unicorn being a dangerous beast, but then, upon reflection, it makes sense since only a virgin can tame a unicorn.
ReplyDeleteHave fun on your next jaunt!