Scotland and the Scottish Diaspora
"It's part of me, Scotland. I'm still immersed in it even though I am not there." -- Irvine Welsh (1958 - ), Scots novelist, short story writer, playwright, author of Trainspotting among many other works).
All my life I have been interested in the history of Scotland and the profound consequences of the Scottish diaspora throughout the world. Scotland and the Scots are appealing in so many ways -- the beauty of the land- and seascapes, the food and drink, the extraordinarily resourceful and creative people, the dramatic history from antiquity to the present, the great literature and history and philosophy and religion. The subjects are themselves enough to inspire writing, but there is great satisfaction in the fact that the Scots have lived up to the subjects on their own writ.
Over many years I have researched the history of Cumberland Valley, and I have often talked about the Scots, the Scots-Irish, and the settlement of this part of the New World by these willing and not-so-willing exiles. In recognition of the history and significance of the Scots to our area, I fly the Saltire and carry these books and cds. I am always on the lookout for more.
P.S. Due to listing limitations, I have moved Ian Rankin and Denise Mina, two fine writers of the Scots Noir movement, over to our International Mystery page.
Traditional Scottish Recipes
Traditional Scottish Recipes
Generations of Scots have grown up on recipes using oatmeal and oats, curly kail (cabbage), haddock, potatoes, offal (haggis), and soups made with a good ham hough. This book combines traditional, classic recipes with Scottish family favourites – complete with tips – handed down within families to produce a tried and tested, working cookbook of 86 recipes.
All the recipes are simple and easy to follow, and each has an introduction that gives a short history or helpful explanation of origins or tips on how to make each classic. Recipes include soups and starters, game, meat, and vegetables, fish, shellfish, bread, baking and desserts and puddings using diary, cereals and soft fruit produce.
Recipes are included for special things such as elderberry wine, rhubarb and ginger jam, and roast leg of Scotch lamb with fresh rosemary, and floury potatoes. Other staples include lentil soup, Scotch broth, steak pie, stovies, haggis (and easy haggis), pan-cooked pheasant, steamed pudding with Drambuie syrup, pancakes, fruit loaf, potato scones, shortbread, macaroon bars, tablet, marmalade, Clyde Valley chutney and Gaelic coffee.