Grandma Corwin Lived in a Log Cabin and Had a Cat Named Napolean

Dry run packing finished, needed items purchased, spreadsheet of activities/restaurants prepared, will try to have my liquor shipped :-), and ferry ticket to be purchased tonight after I confer with fellow traveling buddie, Alison, over a dinner at PF Changs.  Rick and I will be traveling a week with Alison and her husband, Casey, through Edinburgh, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Oban, and the Isle of Mull.  Alison found the haunted castle, the Barcaldine, that we'll be staying in while in Oban.

Other to-do items that cropped up have also been addressed including having the dynamic duo, Kris and Krystle (K2), water our plants (there is a souvenir can of haggis with your name on it ;-)), determining where wireless is available during the trip (thanks Rick - good news is that it is available just about anywhere), figuring out hiking/sunrise/sunset locations on the Isle of Skye (thanks, again, Rick), placing reservations at recommended restaurants (thanks, yet again, Rick), and figuring out how much cash we need on hand and whether it needs to be in Euros, British Sterling, or Scottish pounds (and, once again, thanks Rick).

Wooden Quaich

Remaining things to do? Download some books onto my e-reader, put together a folder of critical information (various documents maps, hiking routes, confirmation numbers, etc), and finish researching souvenirs (yes I am that much of a type A personality).  There is some really cool stuff.  There is the Quaich which is a small communal drinking bowl, historically wood, now often silver or pewter, that came about coincidentally with the development single malt whiskey;  the spirtle, a tool used to stir porridge (oatmeal), and then also the sgian-dubh (pronounced skeen-doo), which essentially means "black knife" and is worn as part of traditional Scottish Highland dress tucked into the top of the kilt hose.  (Note to self, if I purchase any of these, pack in checked luggage along with the whiskey :-).

One of the Brodie Tartans

Of course when you google "Scottish Souvenirs," a plethora of sites for clan tartan fabrics comes up, which got me thinking about whether I have any roots in Scottish.  I am a mutt.  The only heritage that I am fairly certain about is that I'm German, English, and Irish  from my mother's side (Thank you Uncle Don for the geological information).  Hard to believe there isn't a bit o' Scottish blood mixed in there, though granted, historically, the Scottish and English more often than not were at odds with each other.  But, even more promising is my dad's side of the family.  Grandma Corwin's maiden name is Brodie, and wouldn't you know there was a Brodie clan in northeastern Scotland and they even had a castle though it may not be still standing.  Yes, my interest is piqued and I will definitely do a little more investigating on both sides of the family.  Grandma Corwin left a book of information about herself, which I am ashamed to say, that I did not read closely until now.  Comments of note - she grew up in an Indian cabin in Oklahoma, had a cow named "Buttercup" and a cat named "Napoleon" and when she was born (at home), her father had to travel several miles, on horseback, to reach a doctor.

I love how when life presents unexpected twists and turns it opens up realms of new knowledge and possibilities of which I was previously unaware.  It is invigorating, energizing, and adds magic and mystery to the world.  Who would have thought that a search for Scottish souvenirs would ignite a dormant interest and appreciation in geneology and start me on another journey to learn more about my family heritage?  Pretty cool.