By a coffee machine in a hotel in Chicago, I talk to a Hair Designer from Vegas. His hair rises in a four-inch-high, determinedly chestnut pompadour and he is wearing an inadvisably tight, sequin-studded sweatshirt that is remarkably similar to one I once unsuccessfully attempted to dress an unimpressed tabby in. The Hair Designer is […]
Tag Archives | scottish ambassador
The Queen, Prince Philip and Tuna
Since yesterday’s post about Hebridean Leek Pie was so popular, here is another wee ramble about the perplexing menus to be found in the Scottish bars of the United States of America. I am in Molly McPherson’s Scottish pub in Savannah with my Scottish friend Arran. He is puzzling over the menu. “Do you think […]
Snakehole Golf and Country Club
Today I’m writing about the first time I ever played golf – at the Snakehole Golf and Country Club, a sand, scrub, cactus and broken glass shard course in Apache Junction, Arizona. How do they keep the sand from blowing and covering up the scorpion-filled holes? Why, they pour grease from the RV park diner […]
Defend yourself – cute Scottie puppies overload!
Defend yourselves – cuteness overload! Scottie puppies dressed as Peter Pan and Tinkerbell at the Scottish Terrier Club of Atlanta’s annual Fala Day in Warm Springs, Georgia.
Everyone loves a Terrier
Notes from when I went to Georgia to go to a Scottie dog festival… Driving to Savannah. Savannah! Margaret Mitchell’s “Gently mannered city by the sea!” Hmmm. Where’s the sea? Perhaps behind those heavily fenced liquor stores? Or guarded by that belligerent fiercely tattooed guy over there? Ooh, look! You can buy alcohol with food […]
A quarter step away from war
Mighty Scotland, the 140th largest country in the world, slumps to 141st place next month when the creation of South Sudan shunts us further down the list of nations. Except, well, we’re not actually on the list of nations. The UN does not recognize Scotland as a country. Neither does America’s train provider Amtrak. Neither […]
First unofficial visit to Poland
I paid my first unofficial visit to Poland yesterday, it being just up the road and all from Berlin. Poland! How exciting! I had never been to Poland before. I saw a lot of very white people, some very impressive buildings and many, many, many shipyards. We discovered on our epic one hour and 54 […]
Snail racing
Yesterday I was editing a section of the book that makes a wee reference to the time I won 50 pounds on a snail race. I have also won money betting on dogs, horses, mice and siblings. I suffered most injuries from betting on siblings and mice. The snail won me the most cash. For […]
Bring Back Assassination
Some buildings opt for fierce stone beasties such as lions or dogs to guard their entrances. When we leave Honolulu’s marine-themed Wyland Hotel we trot past a pair of playful-looking cement dolphins. Other than snout-butting a beach ball at intruders, I’m not sure how effective they would be on hypothetical security detail. Dr. A and […]
First steps
Yep, and we’re still on Hawaii. A pre-dancing breakfast is underway when we eventually clamber up to the Eugene and Harriet Ichinose Dance Palladium. I’m not sure whether Aloha wear was encouraged this morning, but since they’ve got this treasure theme and we spotted two skulls among the floral arrangements on the snacks table last […]
