11 definitions by Alba gu Brath
There is a saying in Scotland ,"Wha's Like Us?", which means Who Compares? Below is a Brief summary of Genius from our small Nation, Although Factual it should be read with tongue in Cheek Especially if you are English.
The average Englishman in the home he call his castle slips into his national costume, a shabby raincoat, patented by Chemist Charles Macintosh (Mac)from Glasgow, Scotland.
En-route to his office he strides along the English lane, surfaced by John Macadam (Tar Macadam)of Ayr, Scotland.
He drives an English car fitted with tyres invented by John Boyd Dunlop,(DUNLOP Tyres) Veterinary Surgeon of Dreghorn, Scotland.
At the office he receives the mail bearing adhesive stamps invented by John Chalmers, Bookseller and Printer of Dundee, Scotland.
During the day he uses the telephone invented by Alexander Graham Bell, born in Edinburgh, Scotland. At home in the evening his daughter pedals her bicycle invented by Kirkpatrick Macmillan, Blacksmith of Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
He watches the news on television, an invention of John Logie Baird of Helensburgh, Scotland, and hears an item about the U.S. Navy founded by John Paul Jones of Kirkbean, Scotland.
Nowhere can an Englishman turn to escape the ingenuity of the Scots.
He has by now been reminded too much of Scotland and in desperation he picks up the Bible, only to find that the first man mentioned in the good book is a Scot, King James VI, who authorized its translation.
He could take to drink but the Scots make the best in the world Whisky.
He could take a rifle and end it all, but the breech-loading rifle was invented by Captain Patrick Ferguson of Pitfours, Scotland.
If he escaped death, he could find himself on an operating table injected with penicillin, discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming of Darvel, Scotland, and given chloroform, an anesthetic discovered by Sir James Young Simpson, Obstetrician and Gynecologist of Bathgate, Scotland.
Out of the anesthetic he would find no comfort in learning that he was as safe as the Bank of England founded by William Paterson of Dumfries, Scotland.
Perhaps his only remaining hope would be to get a transfusion of guid Scottish blood which would entitle him to ask:
"Wha's Like Us"
The average Englishman in the home he call his castle slips into his national costume, a shabby raincoat, patented by Chemist Charles Macintosh (Mac)from Glasgow, Scotland.
En-route to his office he strides along the English lane, surfaced by John Macadam (Tar Macadam)of Ayr, Scotland.
He drives an English car fitted with tyres invented by John Boyd Dunlop,(DUNLOP Tyres) Veterinary Surgeon of Dreghorn, Scotland.
At the office he receives the mail bearing adhesive stamps invented by John Chalmers, Bookseller and Printer of Dundee, Scotland.
During the day he uses the telephone invented by Alexander Graham Bell, born in Edinburgh, Scotland. At home in the evening his daughter pedals her bicycle invented by Kirkpatrick Macmillan, Blacksmith of Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
He watches the news on television, an invention of John Logie Baird of Helensburgh, Scotland, and hears an item about the U.S. Navy founded by John Paul Jones of Kirkbean, Scotland.
Nowhere can an Englishman turn to escape the ingenuity of the Scots.
He has by now been reminded too much of Scotland and in desperation he picks up the Bible, only to find that the first man mentioned in the good book is a Scot, King James VI, who authorized its translation.
He could take to drink but the Scots make the best in the world Whisky.
He could take a rifle and end it all, but the breech-loading rifle was invented by Captain Patrick Ferguson of Pitfours, Scotland.
If he escaped death, he could find himself on an operating table injected with penicillin, discovered by Sir Alexander Fleming of Darvel, Scotland, and given chloroform, an anesthetic discovered by Sir James Young Simpson, Obstetrician and Gynecologist of Bathgate, Scotland.
Out of the anesthetic he would find no comfort in learning that he was as safe as the Bank of England founded by William Paterson of Dumfries, Scotland.
Perhaps his only remaining hope would be to get a transfusion of guid Scottish blood which would entitle him to ask:
"Wha's Like Us"
by Alba gu Brath July 7, 2006
The Most Marvelous Drink in the world and 'nae mistake'has had to fight off many imposters over the years ie:
Whiskey(Bourbon),canadian whisky,Irish whiskey,japanese whisky, and even welsh whisky!many decent attempts but none have matched the original ,especially the Single Malts of which there are many, enjoyed by true connoiseurs.Each Whisky has its own distinct character reflecting the 'glen' or region it was born. The Term 'Whisky' is an anglisced corruption of the Gaelic word 'uisge' meaning water, or to give it its correct term 'Uisge beatha', 'The water of life!',Blended Whiskies are cheaper than Malts and contain a mix of both grain and malt whiskies. Often Referred to as Scotch by non Scots or ocasionaly by Scots Abroad to be sure they are not served an 'imposter'
Whiskey(Bourbon),canadian whisky,Irish whiskey,japanese whisky, and even welsh whisky!many decent attempts but none have matched the original ,especially the Single Malts of which there are many, enjoyed by true connoiseurs.Each Whisky has its own distinct character reflecting the 'glen' or region it was born. The Term 'Whisky' is an anglisced corruption of the Gaelic word 'uisge' meaning water, or to give it its correct term 'Uisge beatha', 'The water of life!',Blended Whiskies are cheaper than Malts and contain a mix of both grain and malt whiskies. Often Referred to as Scotch by non Scots or ocasionaly by Scots Abroad to be sure they are not served an 'imposter'
by Alba gu Brath February 23, 2006
Gaelic name Beinn Nibheis
Elevation 4409 ft (1344 m)
Scotland's Highest Mountain which towers above Fort William
Ben Nevis Can be deceiving,from ground level it actually does not look as imposing as other mountains in Scotland ,This of course has led many people in to a false sense of security and Determined to conquer it ,off they set ,ill prepared for the extreme weather and dangerous route to the summit.
Elevation 4409 ft (1344 m)
Scotland's Highest Mountain which towers above Fort William
Ben Nevis Can be deceiving,from ground level it actually does not look as imposing as other mountains in Scotland ,This of course has led many people in to a false sense of security and Determined to conquer it ,off they set ,ill prepared for the extreme weather and dangerous route to the summit.
Ben Nevis has a walkers path to the summit, but care should be taken and get a reliable weather forecast First!
by Alba gu Brath June 23, 2006
Also known as "the bombshell" due to the fact it was heavily bombed during WW2.Often lumped together with its more Famous Neighbour Glasgow(as indeed many unfortunate other towns are!)A town that should hold its head high for the fact of its Shipbuilding history Many famous ships were born there!not least the Queen Mary and QE2 adding to the legacy of the Clyde.But sadly no more. like most of the Clyde yards they were Privatised by the British Government and then left to Neglect and die!
by Alba gu Brath July 21, 2006
In Scots it means a plume of smoke. can also be used as reekie or reeking not to be confused with the other common usage meaning smelly
by Alba gu Brath July 4, 2006
Saint Andrew is Scotland's Patron Saint . Andrew was one of Christ's Apostles. Legend states that an Eastern Monk (St Regulus) took Remains of Saint Andrew from Greece in the 4th century and buried them in what is now Known as the Town of St Andrews Fife
by Alba gu Brath June 23, 2006
Gaelic name Alba
Capital City Edinburgh
Languages English, Scots and Gaelic
Pop 5000.000(aprox)
Highest Peak Ben Nevis 1344 m (4409 ft)
Patron Saint St Andrew
Flag St Andrews Cross or Saltire, oldest National Flag in The world (still in use)
Nation State within the UK
Scotland has a long and bloody history with as much internal conflict as well as having to fend off repeated invasions from such foe's as the Romans,saxons,Vikings and the Anglo Normans English.
Scotland was an Independent Sovereign State until 1707 when the 'act of union' was agreed upon Joining Scotland with England and Wales to Form Great Britain.Although never popular with the common people The New State did bring Benefits for all three nations The British EmpireWas one such example with Scots playing a major role.By the time of the Industrial Revolution ,Scotland Was at the centre of innovation and invention.Glasgow became known as the second city of the Empire and The industry in Central Scotland and Clydeside made it known as the 'workshop of the world' Recent Times have seen a shift in the Nations fortunes With the decline of shipbuilding coal mines and steelworks being replaced with technological industries.
1999 witnesed the first Scots Parliament in Edinburgh in nearly 300 years.The current First Minister (at time of writing) is Jack McConnell
Capital City Edinburgh
Languages English, Scots and Gaelic
Pop 5000.000(aprox)
Highest Peak Ben Nevis 1344 m (4409 ft)
Patron Saint St Andrew
Flag St Andrews Cross or Saltire, oldest National Flag in The world (still in use)
Nation State within the UK
Scotland has a long and bloody history with as much internal conflict as well as having to fend off repeated invasions from such foe's as the Romans,saxons,Vikings and the Anglo Normans English.
Scotland was an Independent Sovereign State until 1707 when the 'act of union' was agreed upon Joining Scotland with England and Wales to Form Great Britain.Although never popular with the common people The New State did bring Benefits for all three nations The British EmpireWas one such example with Scots playing a major role.By the time of the Industrial Revolution ,Scotland Was at the centre of innovation and invention.Glasgow became known as the second city of the Empire and The industry in Central Scotland and Clydeside made it known as the 'workshop of the world' Recent Times have seen a shift in the Nations fortunes With the decline of shipbuilding coal mines and steelworks being replaced with technological industries.
1999 witnesed the first Scots Parliament in Edinburgh in nearly 300 years.The current First Minister (at time of writing) is Jack McConnell
Having Read many Opinions on Scotland on here I thought I would Write a Factual One See Scottish Inventions for more insight to our unique heritage
by Alba gu Brath June 22, 2006