Celtic Explorer-Got Kilt?

Foreign Land · Scottish Field Note

Got Kilt?

Halfway between Glasgow and Scotland on the Irish Sea, Paddy's Rock greets the voyage with an Aloha.

Scotland the Brand vs. Scotland the Brave

Plaid, Porridge, Bagpipes—and a Very Serious Whisky

“Auld Lang Syne... Fields Of Gold... Better Days...”

Just got back from The Scotch Whiskey Experience in Edinburgh. I believe I now possess Christ-like healing powers, thanks to the Angus Dundee Distillers and their Tomintoul 1976 Vintage. The irrevocably Scottish kilts, the green landscapes, the whiskey, the Bagpipes, the Porridge, and guys like Malcolm, Duncan and Macbeth, all were on tap as we get ready for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

The population of this city doubles in the month of August—there are festivals like the Ed Fringe and The Military Royal Tattoo. It has been a great time so far in Scotland. Kilts, Scotch Whiskey and Plaid—it's all on tap.

Field Reels

Featured Videos

Highland Memories

Three Views of Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland during festival season

Edinburgh, Scotland

The magnificent city of Edinburgh, where history comes alive during festival season. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Fringe Festival transform this ancient city into a vibrant celebration of Scottish culture.

Traditional Scottish kilt and plaid

Got Kilt?

The quintessential Scottish experience—donning the traditional kilt with authentic plaid patterns. Their favorite colour may be plaid, but I find the Scots to be a genuinely happy lot!

Skyelark and Ed at Edinburgh University

University Adventures

Skyelark and I visiting Josh Moscot at Edinburgh University—exploring the academic side of this historic city while sharing adventures with furry companions and old friends.

The Bespoke Experience

Bespoke—or one-of-a-kind handmade jewellery—is something I never considered, until now. Jared, a Silversmith from the famous Royal Mile Street, is taking the ECG from a mother's womb of her unborn baby and commemorating the birth of her child with this bespoke bracelet. Fascinating craftsmanship that turns precious moments into eternal keepsakes.

“The engine imbalance is what caused the worm-hole in the first place. It'll happen again if we don't fix it.” — Channeling the Chief Engineer, James Doohan (Scotty)

Paddy's Rock—Nature's Masterpiece

This volcanic formation has the same look as the Napali Coast or Maui—brilliant! Halfway between Glasgow and Scotland on the Irish Sea, Paddy's Rock stands as a milestone that marks the spot, greeting visitors with an almost tropical Aloha despite its distinctly Scottish heritage. The raw beauty of Scotland's coastline rivals any paradise on earth.

Read the Companion Stories

The 2015 Grand Voyage

These field notes belong to the larger Grand Voyage: one long route, many foreign lands, and enough encounters to recalibrate the meaning of home.

The Elixir

The costume gets you through the door. Attention makes the foreign land feel like home.

Scotland arrives first as a brand—plaid, whisky, castles—and stays as a collection of human details.

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