“Here’s tae us! Wha’s like us? Gey few an’ they’re a’ fu!” That is an old Scots toast which translates as “Here is to us. Who is like us? Very few and they are all drunk!”
On Monday, you are invited to come down to the Halina Centre at 7:30 p.m. to show or to re-awaken your interest in anything Scottish. No matter how tenuous that may be, you will be made welcome with Scottish hospitality, both food and liquid. But in the interests of safety the supply of “uisge beatha” (Scots Gaelic for whisky) will be very limited. And you don’t have to wear a kilt or play the bagpipes or display one of the more than 13,000 registered tartans available to you! Of course you can if you want to!
Though there are only about five million people in Scotland it is estimated that there are 20 million around the world who can claim Scots forebears. Many of them are in B.C. and the rest of Canada. As well, there are many people who want to know about Scotland. In our Vernon branch of the Sons of Scotland we have folks from the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and even from “The Auld Enemy,” England! And we welcome you for your interest in this small nation whose people have contributed so much to the world. Scotland has much to offer and we are interested in helping you to find out more.
Don’t be backward in coming forward. Efter a’ ye’ve nae need tae be blate aboot bein’ frae the Highlans or the Lallans! Gin ye’re ane of Jock Tamson’s bairns ye’re braw! Ceud mille failte! If you are unsure what these last three sentences mean just come along to the Halina Centre on Monday and we will be happy to give you a translation and a welcome. If you understand them then come along anyway for some Scottish hospitality! Slainte mhath!
Peter Kendal is a Vernon-based writer who writes on a variety of topics for The Morning Star.
