Never tempt a bull. They are BIGGGGG...weightier than a Clydesdale. Clydes believe they are lap dogs and will want to sit in your lap to be petted. Their feet are like dinner plates, 12 inches across, casually placed. Bulls have small SHARP feet they can place like a Spanish Flamenco dancer....on top of you 100 times, smirking the whole time. They dare you. )))
Scots have a way that confounds others--until they relax and let themselves into a mindset that allows for the quirky and savvy ideas and actions of other cultures.And then---ahhh! such freedom of choices.
True re bull alone in pasture. I once barely made it over the fence before a bull made it to me. Seems I had the saying backwards. : ) Nifty devices used to deter hikers. Hope to see Scotland one day. Thanks, Sharron!
Interesting. I have heard of the free access laws in Scotland and the simplicity of being able to hike anywhere as long as you didn't set the place ablaze or do anything else that was stupid. Alas, with the wide range of activities that humans love to do and an equally wide range of attitudes towards personal responsibility, landowners need to take measures to protect their property. Do some Scots have as cavalier attitude toward "private" property that some Americans do?
I had a friend who lived near Aberdeen who loves to walk. A stroll would entail dozens of miles and a mountain or two. I thought of her as I read this story and hope she is well. Last I heard, she went to Jordan to work with a humanitarian aide organization taking supplies to Gaza. Haven't heard from her since.
Thank you Sharron - enjoyed it very much. Quite clever those Scotts are, aren’t they! When I was in college, my Buddhist professor, a Japanese Shinto priest waved his index finger at us as if he was scolding us and said in a sing song Japanese way: “Life does not go the way you wish it. So if you wish for something, don’t be surprised when it’s not what you thought it would be! And then he would laugh “Ha ha ha!” Nora
As usual, I get a peek at the unusual, in reading, and enjoying the photographs within, your uniquely delightful travel stories. I never knew much about Scotland, but you make it seem so irresistible! Thanks for another adventure, Sharron!
LOL at the sign about the snakes! There are only three species of snake on these shores, and only one is venomous - and you'd have to go seriously out of your way (and on a very warm day, too, which as you know are few and far between in Scotland) to meet one of those in a temper!
The 'right to roam' debate has been in the news in the last couple of years in parts of England, with people wanting the right to wild camp on Dartmoor in Devon. Wild camping isn't legal in England without the landowner's express permission, but it is in Scotland.
We are very fortunate to have a large number of public footpaths across the whole of the country, many of which are across private land. Anyone is permitted to use the footpath (on foot - if you're on a bike or a horse you're only allowed to use public bridleways), but it would be very bad manners, for instance, to stop for a picnic or start exploring the land that the footpath has given you access to!
Thank you for this update, Rebecca. Really, there must be rules / standards. Fortunately I saw a lot of signage at trail heads directing hikers what is and is not permitted. Sadly there are a lot of careless nature lovers who have no respect for nature. Some cannot even be bothered with closing the gate behind them. I sympathize with the landowner left to clean up the constant mess.
You take the high toad.
I’ll take the low.
One of us takes the bill my horns
And I’ll get home before you.
Thank you!
Lovely piece!
Thank you,. David.
Sharron, a beautifully photographed and wonderfully worded post. Enjoyed it as always. - Jim
Thanks! Glad you liked it, Jim.
Never tempt a bull. They are BIGGGGG...weightier than a Clydesdale. Clydes believe they are lap dogs and will want to sit in your lap to be petted. Their feet are like dinner plates, 12 inches across, casually placed. Bulls have small SHARP feet they can place like a Spanish Flamenco dancer....on top of you 100 times, smirking the whole time. They dare you. )))
Wow! Good to know! Thanks, bonnie Kate!
Scots have a way that confounds others--until they relax and let themselves into a mindset that allows for the quirky and savvy ideas and actions of other cultures.And then---ahhh! such freedom of choices.
Yes, reserved at first, as a rule. And when they know you, just a delight. Of course, I am generalizing.
Of course, I am winking.
But, when you get to know someone, even from another culture, and they know you, trust trickles in and understanding along with it, and then deLIGHT!
What a beautiful introduction to Scotland! I was there about 20 years ago on a cruise, and my favorite place was the Shetland Islands.
Glad it brought back a few memories, Janice.
True re bull alone in pasture. I once barely made it over the fence before a bull made it to me. Seems I had the saying backwards. : ) Nifty devices used to deter hikers. Hope to see Scotland one day. Thanks, Sharron!
Ha ha ha. Yeah! You don't want to get that one backwards! Thanks, Ron.
Your writing is a pleasure to read no matter the topic. Your love for Scotland shines through, and that makes this piece special.
Thank you, Ken. Yes, I do love it there. I would love to travel in the highlands just one more time...but it will have to be from my armchair.
A lovely piece. True that travel rarely goes as planned. One must be flexible!
Thanks for reading this for the second time, Jim I first posted it on January 2023. I hope you are all well and happy.
Interesting. I have heard of the free access laws in Scotland and the simplicity of being able to hike anywhere as long as you didn't set the place ablaze or do anything else that was stupid. Alas, with the wide range of activities that humans love to do and an equally wide range of attitudes towards personal responsibility, landowners need to take measures to protect their property. Do some Scots have as cavalier attitude toward "private" property that some Americans do?
I had a friend who lived near Aberdeen who loves to walk. A stroll would entail dozens of miles and a mountain or two. I thought of her as I read this story and hope she is well. Last I heard, she went to Jordan to work with a humanitarian aide organization taking supplies to Gaza. Haven't heard from her since.
Interesting questions and reminiscence! Thank you, Sue.
Thank you Sharron - enjoyed it very much. Quite clever those Scotts are, aren’t they! When I was in college, my Buddhist professor, a Japanese Shinto priest waved his index finger at us as if he was scolding us and said in a sing song Japanese way: “Life does not go the way you wish it. So if you wish for something, don’t be surprised when it’s not what you thought it would be! And then he would laugh “Ha ha ha!” Nora
Well, it is a lesson that bears repeating. We have to always consider the journey, not the destination.
As usual, I get a peek at the unusual, in reading, and enjoying the photographs within, your uniquely delightful travel stories. I never knew much about Scotland, but you make it seem so irresistible! Thanks for another adventure, Sharron!
Thank you Sharon, for coming along with me, again! We would have been fine travel buddies.
Love Scotland and Scots. Great peace, thanks..
I am glad you found this rather long post of interest, Yael. I feel great affection for Scotland, I hope it shows.
Fantastic post, Sharron!
LOL at the sign about the snakes! There are only three species of snake on these shores, and only one is venomous - and you'd have to go seriously out of your way (and on a very warm day, too, which as you know are few and far between in Scotland) to meet one of those in a temper!
The 'right to roam' debate has been in the news in the last couple of years in parts of England, with people wanting the right to wild camp on Dartmoor in Devon. Wild camping isn't legal in England without the landowner's express permission, but it is in Scotland.
We are very fortunate to have a large number of public footpaths across the whole of the country, many of which are across private land. Anyone is permitted to use the footpath (on foot - if you're on a bike or a horse you're only allowed to use public bridleways), but it would be very bad manners, for instance, to stop for a picnic or start exploring the land that the footpath has given you access to!
Thank you for this update, Rebecca. Really, there must be rules / standards. Fortunately I saw a lot of signage at trail heads directing hikers what is and is not permitted. Sadly there are a lot of careless nature lovers who have no respect for nature. Some cannot even be bothered with closing the gate behind them. I sympathize with the landowner left to clean up the constant mess.
It’s so sad - the countryside code is not difficult - it’s common sense. Gates, litter, dogs off leads….. dog poo not cleared up… I mean, grrrrrr!!!