January 30, 2006
Well That Explains It
Our pal Chai-Rista links to a coo-el British Isles surname locator thingummy that pinpoints concentrations of one's family name on maps for both 1881 and 1998.
Well, being a Scot by extraction, I was interested to see that the heaviest concentrations of my clan appear to be located in the Western Isles (including the Isle of Islay) and along the Coast. This must be why I love Island Malts so much, including Laphroaig, which continues to stand at the pinnacle of my preferences. (BTW, two word review of the Oban I tried this weekend: Not bad.) Och, thet peaty taste is in me blood. Now move yer gargantuan cranium!
Posted by Robert at January 30, 2006 05:41 PM | TrackBackSigh.
I actually mention Oban in my big, unpublished novel (not The Spy Novel, which is merely a writing exercise) as being an example of a good scotch.
I can't drink it anymore. Scotches, especially the peaty ones, give me too many problems. I can drink rye and bourbon without any problems, but Scotch and Irish whiskey are now too harsh for me, which is why John Walsh, in The Spy Novel, drinks Jack Daniels.
Old age is cruel.
Posted by: The Colossus at January 30, 2006 08:19 PMOooo, I love Scottish men! Especially the way they say "book." Yummy.
Posted by: GroovyVic at January 30, 2006 09:03 PMOur old assistant rector was from the Virginia Tidewater and had traces of the old Scots twang. She had a way of saying "World withoot end" that never failed to make me chuckle.
Alas, my base accent is hopelessly midwestern, thanks to Mom's Ohio background. In fact, I tend to take on the inflection of wherever I happen to be - thus, I still had a slight Texas twang when I went away to college in Connecticut, but by my senior year I had a girl tell me she always assumed I was from Boston.
Noonetheless, I ken I kin still do a wee brogue when put to it. Me great granddad was a Presbyterian Minister an I have no trooble sayin', "Hoots! Weee're poot on this eearth to soofer, laddie!"
Posted by: Robbo the LB at January 30, 2006 11:37 PMIf you love Laphraoig, try Ardbeg. Trust me.
The one Scottish surname in my ancestry is heavily concentrated in the Islands as well, especially the Outer Islands, as well as in the Western Highlands -- which jives with what we know about the name. And while I don't have the brogue, I can imitate it quite accurately.
Posted by: Brian B at January 31, 2006 09:17 AMStop it or I'll have to bite you.
Posted by: GroovyVic at January 31, 2006 03:07 PMShe says that like it's a bad thing....
Posted by: Brian B at January 31, 2006 03:17 PMAye, and talk is cheap, laddie.
Posted by: Robbo the LB at January 31, 2006 04:28 PMAye, a ken wha ye say.
Posted by: Brian B at January 31, 2006 04:53 PMI bite with love...that Scottish accent drives me crazy, ye ken.
Posted by: GroovyVic at January 31, 2006 06:18 PMAye, ah ken. hoots, d'ye think I'm daft, lassie?
Posted by: Brian B at February 1, 2006 12:42 PMStop it before I tear off your kilt!
Posted by: GroovyVic at February 1, 2006 01:21 PM
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