Best of Scotland - My Home - My Family

Hello, and welcome to The Best of Scotland my Home, my Family. I have created this squidoo lens due to the love of my family, and Scotland. Throughout you will read about The Best of Scotland my Home,my Family, where we live, and what we are doing up to the present date.

I also intend to highlight a town or city of the month for your pleasure. If you would like information on any cities or towns of Scotland, I shall endeavor to please, whether direct, or through this lens, so please feel free to post comments/advise, and now, sit back and enjoy The Best of Scotland, my Home, my Family.

Motto: Invictus Maneo (I Remain Unvanquished)

Gaelic Name: Mac Ghillieláidir

Origin of Name: Strong Arm.

The Armstrong's are a significant border clan whose origins lie in Cumberland, south of the frontier between Scotland and England that was officially established in 1237.

The Flag of Scotland, also known as the Saint Andrew's Cross or more commonly The Saltire, is the national flag of Scotland. The Saltire is the correct flag for all individuals and corporate bodies to fly in order to demonstrate both their loyalty and Scottish nationality. It is also, where possible, flown from Scottish Government buildings every day from 8am until sunset, with certain exceptions; for example United Kingdom National Days.

The Royal Standard of Scotland, (Royal banner o Scotland), also known as the Banner of the King of Scots, or more commonly the Lion Rampant of Scotland, is the Scottish Royal Banner of Arms. Used historically by the King of Scots, the Royal Standard of Scotland differs from Scotland's national flag, the Saltire, in that its correct use is restricted by an Act of the Parliament of Scotland to only a few Great Officers of State who officially represent the Sovereign in Scotland. It is also used in an official capacity at royal residences in Scotland when the Sovereign is not present.

My family crest and history all rolled into one frame, I actually got mine at Disney World, a little more up market and more expensive, never the less this is an ideal gift for any Armstrong! The Armstrong name has been carefully researched, the origin investigated and let me tell you, we have history. Comes with our coat of arms and will certainly be a cherished gift on display for everyone to see!

major-cities-of-scotland

The Best of Scotland my Home, my Family.

The Armstrong name alledgedly has a mythological origin, in that it is said their heroic progenitor, Fairbairn, saves his king of Scotland in battle, and not from a wild beast as is the case with another Border clan - the Turnbulls.

It is said that, dressed in full armour, he lifted the king onto his own horse with one arm after the King's horse had been killed under him in battle. The family crest records this act of heroism that was to be rewarded with a grant of lands in the Borders and the famous Armstrong name.

The first specific reference locating them in Liddesdale, which would become their family seat, is in 1376. Liddesdale was also the seat of their unquestioned power in the region that allowed them to expand into Annandale and Eskdale to accommodate their growing population. It is reputed that by 1528 they were able to put 3000 horsemen in the field.

The Armstrongs' relationship with subsequent Scottish kings was turbulent to say the least. The most notorious event in this uneasy relationship occurred in 1530. John Armstrong, known in history as 'Gilnockie', was persuaded to attend a meeting at Carlingrigg with King James V who, unknown to Gilnockie, had the malicious intent to silence the rebellious Borderers. The ruse succeeded as Gilnockie and fifty followers were captured.

The Royal order to hang them was issued and despite several pleas for the King to be lenient in exchange for obedience, it was carried out. Defiant to the last, Gilnockie said these words directly to King James V:

"I am but a fool to seek grace at a graceless face, but had I known you would have taken me this day, I would have lived in the Borders despite King Harry and you both." His defiance is commemorated and echoed in the soulful popular Border ballad, "Johnie Armstrong":

"Farewell! my bonny Gilnock Hall

Where on Esk side thou standest stout !

Gif I had lived but seven yeirs mair

I wad a gilt thee round about

John Murdered was at Carlinrigg

And all his gallant companie;

But Scotland's heart was ne'er sae wae

To see sae mony brave men die."

In 1587 an act was passed by the Scottish parliament "for the quieting and keeping in obediance of the inhabitants of the Borders, Highland and Isles ..." That contained a roll of Chieftains and clans that confirms the status of Border families as an important part of clan history, and the Armstrongs as perhaps the most significant Border clan.

The clan's authority resided intact at Mangerton in Liddesdale, a succession of Armstrongs retaining the 'Laird of Mangerton' title, until 1610 when Archibald Armstrong was 'put to the horn' as a rebel.

After this, the Armstrong lands passed into the hands of the Scotts.

For more info about the Armstrong Clan, click on the Tartan or visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Armstrong

Take a walk down the path of history and learn more!

William Charles Armstrong

Born Musselburgh

Occupation: Army - Miner - Mason

Margaret McLellan Ferguson Armstrong

Born Musselburgh

Occupation: Typist - Retired

Resides: Family Home Musselburgh

The Best of Scotland my Home, and my Family.

My Mum and Dad :-) sadly we lost Dad a few years back, and now Mum is now within his arms once again....they may be gone, they will be missed so so much, but they shall certainly never be forgotten.

Mum & Dad I miss you so much..Love you!

Mariane Armstrong McGowan

Born Musselburgh

Occupation: Scottish Government

Residence: Musselburgh

Big Sis Mariane, single Mum, living in Musselburgh just around the corner from Mum, Mariane has two daughters (Yes more girls) Charlene and Stephanie, owe yea, Mariane is a proud Grandma hehehe, little Jay is the addition to the family. Mariane is in full time employment and works for the Scottish Offices in Edinburgh. She enjoys gardening and spending quality time with family.

Joyce Armstrong Reid

Born Musselburgh

Occupation: B&Q

Residence: Aberdeen

Married to Ian Reid, living in Aberdeen, a few hours drive away from Mum. Joyce has one son, Paul, and a daughter, Coleen. Joyce is employed full time at B&Q (Home Depot - Lowes type of store), and Ian runs his own Taxi business, so if you are ever in Aberdeen and need a taxi, let me know and I will get family discount :-)

William Armstrong

Born Musselburgh

Occupation: Royal Navy Police - Cruise Line Security Manager

Resides: Valencia California

Still single, living in Valencia, California, which is about an hours drive North of Los Angeles. Working for a large Cruise Line Industry as the Company Security Manager.

My abode is a small one bedroom apartment, enclosed within a gated community, and shared with my little Sun Conure Parrot "YOSHI", (check her lens out).

Since leaving school at a ripe old age of sixteen years, I have either been at sea or moving around for most of my life. The countries I have visited throughout my Naval career, and while aboard Cruise Ship's, are amazing, not only in number, but geographical location.

The Armstrong Clan still reside in Scotland and yours truly is the only one that ventures afar. I return home predominantly every year to visit family and friends for a few weeks at a time, and yes it is sad to leave them again.

My hobbies vary from time to time, I like to workout whenever possible, have been known to throw a few kicks and punches on the mats at the TaeKwondo Studio where I managed to obtain my Black Belt. I like to scout around on the internet, play my virtual game "Entropia Universe" (check the lens out) and naturally visit Squidoo.

My music varies a lot, and I have a great collection of CD's form all around the world, oh yes, there is a lens for that also :-). I am a little bit of an entrepreneur and considered a gadget guy, well who isn't to a certain degree :-)

Fell free to ask questions, have fun browsing.

Doreen Armstrong Thomas

Born Musselburgh

Occupation: Housewife

Residence: Musselburgh

Married to Mervyn Thomas, living in Musselburgh, in a nice property just across the road from Mum. Doreen has three daughters (Yes more girls) Laura, Sarah, and wee Kelly. Busy little housewife, and has been known to help hubby out with his business.

The girls are all teenagers, so I guess I shall leave it at that, as you ladies out there know how that goes, main point is that they love their Uncle Billy :-)

Musselburgh is the largest settlement in East Lothian, Scotland, on the coast of the Firth of Forth, six miles east of Edinburgh city centre.

It was first settled by the Romans in the years following their invasion of Scotland in AD80. They built a fort a little inland from the mouth of the River Esk and bridged the river here. In doing so they established the line of the main eastern approach to Scotland's capital for most of the next two thousand years. Musselburgh is the oldest town in Scotland and has the oldest golf course in the world.

The name Musselburgh is Old English in origin with mussel referring to the shellfish, and burgh derived from the Old English for 'town'.

The town motto "Honesty" dates back to 1332, when the Regent of Scotland, Randolph, Earl of Moray, died in the burgh after a long illness during which he was devotedly cared for by its citizens. His successor offered to reward the people for their loyalty but they declined, saying they were only doing their duty. The new regent, the Earl of Mar, was impressed and said they were a set of honest men, hence "Honest Toun".

11 June 2012

Don't panic, the streets are safe, Wee Maggie is on watch :-)

The Best of Scotland my Home, my Family.

The Riding of the Marches was first mentioned in the record books in 1682 and customarily takes place every 21 years. It saw its origins in days when there was great rivalry between landlords who were always trying to encroach on the property of each other. The Lairds conscripted men to protect their boundaries. Later the custom became a symbolic ceremony, enacted by elected or appointed men of the burgh, whereby a town champion dressed in full armor and a turf cutter checked the 12 points along the boundary of the burgh. Honest Toun Festival was first held in 1936, when it was decided that the time was right to hold another festival each year as long as it did not impose on the Riding of the Marches.

According to the historic custom of approximately 21-year cycles, the next Musselburgh Riding of the Marches is due to take place in July 2016. The last Champion, I am proud to announce, was my Uncle John Downie (Mum's Brother), rest in peace Uncle John, you are sadly missed.

The Best of Scotland my Home, my Family.

Edinburgh Castle is a castle fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear. There has been a royal castle here since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century, and the site continued to be a royal residence until the Union of the Crowns in 1603. As one of the most important fortresses in the Kingdom of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle has been involved in many historical conflicts, from the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century, up to the Jacobite Rising of 1745, and has been besieged, both successfully and unsuccessfully, on several occasions. From the later 17th century, the castle became a military base, with a large garrison. Its importance as a historic monument was recognized from the 19th century, and various restoration programmes have been carried out since.

Few of the present buildings pre-date the Lang Siege of the 16th century, when the medieval fortifications were largely destroyed by artillery bombardment. The notable exception is St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, which dates from the early 12th century. Among other significant buildings of the castle are the Royal Palace, and the early-16th-century Great Hall. The castle also houses the Scottish National War Memorial, and National War Museum of Scotland.

Although formally owned by the Ministry of Defense, most of the castle is now in the care of Historic Scotland, and it is Scotland's most-visited tourist attraction. Although the garrison left in the 1920s, there is still a military presence at the castle, largely ceremonial and administrative, and including a number of regimental museums. It is also the backdrop to the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and has become a recognizable symbol of Edinburgh and of Scotland.

For more info about Edinburgh and what's on offer, click on the picture or visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, one of the worlds most spectacular entertainment events, takes place every year throughout the month of August (3-25), and is thee event you wont want to miss!

Check out the Edinburgh Military Tattoo website for 2012. (http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/ )

If your going, remember to book early, and I mean early, as tickets disappear very fast.

My very own Scottish Tattoo design! Got this done about a year ago in California :-)

St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife.

There has been an important church in St Andrews since at least the 8th century, and a bishopric since at least the 11th century. The settlement grew to the west of St Andrews cathedral with the southern side of the Scores to the north and the Kinness burn to the south. The burgh soon became the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland, a position which was held until the Scottish Reformation. The famous cathedral, the largest in Scotland, now lies in ruins.

The town is home to the University of St Andrews, the third oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of the UK's most prestigious. The University is an integral part of the burgh, and during term time students make up approximately one third of the town's population.

St Andrews is also known worldwide as the "home of golf". This is in part because the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, founded in 1754, exercises legislative authority over the game worldwide (except in the United States and Mexico), and also because the famous links (acquired by the town in 1894) is the most frequent venue for The Open Championship, the oldest of golf's four major championships. Visitors travel to St Andrews in great numbers for several courses ranked amongst the finest in the world, as well as for the sandy beaches.

I absolutely love my Haggis. I really do ! So, if you're ever in Scotland try some. Here's a wee recipe for authentic Haggis taken from rampantscotland.com, where you can find many, many more great Scottish recipies.

Ingredients:

Set of sheep's heart, lungs and liver (cleaned by a butcher)

One beef lung

3 cups finely chopped suet

One cup medium ground oatmeal

Two medium onions, finely chopped

One cup beef stock

One teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

One teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon mace

Traditional Scottish Haggis

(Pack of 2)

Finely chop the meat and combine in a large bowl with the suet, oatmeal, finely chopped onions, beef stock, salt, pepper, nutmeg and mace. Make sure the ingredients are mixed well. Stuff the meat and spices mixture into the beef bung which should be over half full. Then press out the air and tie the open ends tightly with string. Make sure that you leave room for the mixture to expand or else it may burst while cooking. If it looks as though it may do that, prick with a sharp needle to reduce the pressure.

Place in a pot and cover with water. Bring to the boil and immediately reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for three hours. Avoid boiling vigorously to avoid bursting the skin.

Serve hot with "champit tatties and bashit neeps" (mashed/creamed potato and turnip/swede). For added flavour, you can add some nutmeg to the potatoes and allspice to the turnip/swede.