Postcards from Scotland by Ogilvies

3) Thistles.   At the Battle of Falkirk as the Scots lay sleeping a forward group of English soldiers were approaching stealthily in the night when one of them happened to step on the barbed end of a thistle. The scream he let out was enough to alarm the sleeping Scots and allow them to defend themselves and eventually send the raiders home without the booty they had come for.   Hence the thistle became the Scottish emblem that it is today. This'll (sorry about that!) come as no surprise when you learn that this emblem of the Scots is now used on national team shirts and badges and is prevalent wherever our National Teams are in action.       Main   More   Order

    4) Robert Burns, the Scottish bard universally read and enjoyed and whose birthday is celebrated around the world at the end of January each year. (25th)  There is not enough space, here or elsewhere, to do justice to this man's accomplishments.  One just has to read his many works or attend a few Burn's Nights to understand him just a little bit.     If not understand him, then enjoy the many pleasant evenings to be had by enjoying him in the company of others.   A recent change has taken place at Burn's nights, a change that Burns himself would definitely have approved.   That is the turning away from having bachelor nights instead letting all enjoy his mirth, loves and observations of life the way only he could relate.    It's a welcome change to have the ladies present on these supremely enjoyable occasions.    If you have not had the pleasure it's about time you arranged to attend a Burns night in your area.   Look around - there will be one, or many, available for you.   For more information on Burns poems, translations, insights and songs please refer to the Burns site available at   http://www.robertburns.org                                   Main   More   Order