• Scottish religion is often a hotly debated topic as indeed is any religion throughout the world. The official religion of Scotland is Christian and the "branch" of this is the Church of Scotland which has a fascinating history.

    I previously posted a picture of the Italian Chapel from the outside. Here is a more traditional Scottish Church building. This is one on the island of barra.

     

    church at barra http://www.scotlandforvisitors.co.uk/barra.php


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  • So what is the connection between Italy and Scotland?

    In addition to Italian names commonly being used for Scottish Children, art, a love of poetry and fine wine, many members of the Italian armed forces will always have a reminder of their time spent in Scotland

    In January 1942 five hundred and fifty Italian prisoners of war, mainly captured in the North African campaign, were brought to Orkney to help build what became known as the Churchill Barriers.

    On one of the Island hillsides, the Italians wanted to create a little "piece of home". As part of this, they painstakingly created the Italian Chapel, out of basic Nissan huts. Below is a picture of the outside of this beautiful and breathtaking building.

    italian chapel http://www.scotlandforvisitors.co.uk/


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  • Scottish poetry has a long history of names involved in the love poems and ballads and songs. Perhaps the best known Scottish Poem is Ae fond kiss by Robert Burns. This poem was written by Burns after the publication of his most famous collection of Poems, known as the Kilmarnock edition. In was written on hearing that his friend was leaving to be with her estranged husband in Jamaica. Written as a platonic love poem, it is clear the affection that he felt for her.

    Most of the poem is written in old Scots but English speakers should understand most. A couple of helpful hints though:

    ae = only or sole.

    ilka = every

    sae = so


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  • A story I used to tell my children (or perhaps not-it is more of a moral tale) is on the goodnightstories website (sorry I can't put a link-the blog gets taken down as soon as you do) and starts:

    Once upon a time, there was a little boy, his name was Ben. On his first birthday, his parents got him a soft cuddly brown teddy bear. The little baby boy carried his teddy bear with him every where he went. At night the teddy bear always got to sleep next to the baby boy in his crib.

    Ben grew up and got his own bedroom and a big bed to sleep in. The teddy bear got to sleep next to him in bed every night. He was his favorite toy.  Ben took his teddy bear everywhere he went. The teddy bear went with the boy to the zoo, all the parks in the area, and even to school.

    Ben became a teenager and he got more and more interested in video games, and going out with his friends. He stopped taking his teddy bear with him, which made the bear a little bit sad. Still, he would put his teddy bear next to him in bed every night. 

    read on at the appropriate website-simple search will show you where.


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  • Is this not the sweetest?

     

    When you were born you filled my heart with pride,
    And I was overcome by the joy I felt inside.
    As I held you in my arms that very first day,
    I knew I would never let any harm come your way.
    With your tiny little hands and tiny little feet,
    Every time I look at you my heart skips a beat.
    As I watch you sleep in the middle of the night,
    I hope and pray I will do everything right.
    I know I may make some mistakes along the way,
    But I promise to do my best not to every single day.
    I often wonder what you will grow up to be,
    But whatever you become will be fine with me.
    So whatever you may decide to do in your life,
    Maybe an astronaut, a lawyer, or even a doctor's wife.
    I can say this without any doubt at all,
    I will always be there to catch you if you fall.
    And another promise I make to you from me,
    Daddy's little angel you will always be.

     

    Jason A. Hodges 2006


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