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:
Donald II.Donald II was king of the Scots (from 889 - 900), son of Constantine I and successor to Eochaid and Giric (reigned 878-889).
His reign coincided with renewed invasions by the Danes, who came less to plunder and more to occupy the lands bordering Scotland and the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. He was also embroiled in efforts to reduce the highland robber tribes. By one account he was slain at Dunnottar, meeting a Danish invasion; by another he died of infirmity brought on by his campaigns against the highlanders. He was succeeded by his cousin Constantine II.
Source - http://www.pantribalconfederacy.com/research/kings2.htm
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 seasons, wind and weather. 'I will go tomorrow,' said the king.
'You will wait for me,' said the wind.
Gaelic Proverb
Be it wind, be it weet, be it hail, be it sleet,
Our ship must sail the faem
Anonymous, Sir Patrick Spens
The hadna sailed a league, a league,
A league but barely three,
When the lift grew dark, and the wind blew loud,
And gurly grew the sea.
Anonymous, Sir Patrick Spens
West wind to the bairn
When ga'an for its name;
And rain to to the corpse
Carried to its lang hame.
A bonny blue sky
To welcome the bride
As, she gangs to the kirk
Wi' the sun on her side.
Traditional
Now for a Gaelic Proverb for this month.
| Ge b'e mar a bhios an t-sian, cuir do shìol anns a' Mhàrt. | Whate'er the weather be, sow your seed in March. |
You can find more articles in the archive under Scottish Flotsam.
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