Scottish Flotsam from the Shetland Islands - People, Scottish Kings, Quotes, and Proverbs

I imagine the first question anyone will ask is what is a column called "Scottish Flotsam". I guess we will have to begin with what is "flotsam". Among the definitions of the word are "things washed ashore" or "miscellaneous trifles". Well, we believe you can find some great treasure on the ocean shore. But -- you will never know what you will find or its value. So we decided that is what this column is - flotsam. We wanted a place to put things that didn't fit anywhere else and might be of interest. Each item could be a column itself and might be some day but for now it will be the flotsam, which washes our way.

Now lets look at a Scottish King:

Robert II
King of Scotland, first of the Stuart line, was only son of Walter Stuart and Marjory, daughter of Robert Bruce, and was born in 1316. He took part in the battle of Halidon Hill, and acted a prominent part in the affairs of government during the minority of David II. He held the office of regent of Scotland during the captivity in England of his uncle David, 1346-1357, and succeeded to the throne on his death, in 1371. He was engaged for several years in war with England, in which he was aided by the French; lived chiefly in retirement during his latter years, the Earl of Fife being named regent in 1389; and died at Dundonald Castle, in 1390. Source - http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/royalty/kingscot.html#RobertBruce

It is time to stop combing the library but we can not quit without some quotes from The Pocket Book of Scottish Quotations another great History bookshelf resident. Let's see what quotes we can find. This month the subject is toasts and greetings.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang sync.
Robert Burns (1759-1796), Auld Lang Syne

Fair fa' your honest sonsie face,
Great chieftain o' the pudding-race!
Robert Burns, Address to a Haggis

Napoleon is a tyrant, a monster, the sworn foe of our nation. But gentlemen - he once shot a publisher.
Thomas Campbell (I777-1844), proposing a toast to Bonaparte at a writer's dinner

Every glass during dinner had to be dedicated to someone. It was thought sottish and rude to ttake wine without this, as if forsooth there was nobody present worth drinking with.
Henry Thomas Cockburn (I779-1854), Memorials

Now for a Gaelic Proverb for this month.

Cha dìol 'toileach' fiach. Sorrow will pay no debt

You can find more articles in the archive under Scottish Flotsam.

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