I have finally figured it out, some family background involved

[Ulfwald]

I have finally figured out why bagpipe music raises the hair on the back of my neck, why I crave the celtic harp.

I have direct ties to the Scottish people who helped to rid scotland of the english.


Family History

My great^? grandfather

Sir James, son of William "le Hardi", continued his father's fight for Scottish independence at the side of Robert the Bruce. He fought with Bruce at Methven in 1306 then led a raid on Douglas Castle, his Douglasdale Estate, which had been confiscated by the English. Disguised as peasants, Sir James and his men surprised and defeated the English garrison in the battle which has become known as the "Douglas Larder". Once again disguising his men, this time as oxen, he attacked and captured Roxburgh Castle. His stealthy and effective means of combat are remembered in a children's bedtime song,

Hush ye, hush ye, little pet ye,
Hush ye, hush ye, do not fret ye,
The Black Douglas shall no get ye.

Sir James also played a major role in the defeat of the English Army at the Battle of Bannockburn and was one of the signatories of the Declaration of Arbroath, at Arbroath Abbey, in 1320. On the death of Bruce in 1329, Sir James was entrusted with the Monarch's heart in order to carry it on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. He was killed fighting the Moors in Spain while on this pilgrimage in 1330.

 

[Azraele]

My ancestory is Scottish. Duncan? I need to look up my family tree.

 

[Jzero]

I have direct ties to the Scottish people who helped to rid scotland of the english.

You're full of it--the English are STILL enforcing their fiat over Scotland, and only let them open their Parliament back a few years ago.
Oh, and they finally gave us our goddam Stone back after more than 750 years, but they still haven't given us back our freedom!
I mean WTF!

But I knew what you meant.

<--Also of Scottish descent. And I even play a little bagpipe now and then.

 

[Phuz]

My background is Scottish as well.

It turns out we were a bunch of thieves and criminals, poor people.. who murdered the McDonald family at a dinner meeting.

 

[Ulfwald]

Sir James the Black was a ruthless butcher. He killed everything, including women and children just to make his point with the english.

 

[rgwalt]

I'm mostly Welsh, but I've got some Scottish and Irish in me. But I'm most definitely Welsh.

Ryan

 

[Fausto]

I have finally figured out why bagpipe music raises the hair on the back of my neck, why I crave the celtic harp.

The same reason I get REALLY, REALLY ANNOYED when someone butchers the Star Spangled Banner at a baseball game....my great, great, etc....grandfather on my father's maternal side was Francis Scott Key: the author of our national anthem.

OT: there is an informal group that practices bagpipes outside every Thursday evening behind the Methodist (ironic) church in Stone Mountain village....pretty cool if you happen to be in the area.

Fausto

 

[stormbv]

I just graduated from Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL. You've probably never heard of it...it's really small (1100 students). Our mascot is the Scots, and anyone who plays the bagpipes gets a full ride scholarship. On Founder's Day, the bagpipe players walk through the dorms way early in the morning, blasting their pipes.

I went to a talent show one time where these two bagpipe players rocked out. Pretty awesome