Scottish Love: January 2012

The Earl’s children had the idea for the graffiti as a way to bring the public to see it and raise money for the refacing. They contacted the four best Brazilian graffiti artists to work on the project, all of them staying in the castle for a month and collaborating on design ideas.

Shirt for sale at Zazzle.com

~ *Kenny MacLeod

TEXT:

Rory Mor’s Horn

This drinking horn is the centre of a colourful tradition of the clan, a reminder of the feasting and abundant hospitality which where so much a part of Highland life in Rory Mor’s time.
From the earliest period it was essential to the clan’s survival that a Chief prove his fitness to lead his people. So it is that, even today, the Chief’s heir is required to perform a symbolic test of manhood, at his coming of age. The horn is charged with Claret to the brim - it holds nearly half a gallon! - and must be drained at one draught “without setting down or falling down”*.
The present Chief, John MacLeod of MacLeod**, performed this rather hazardous feat at a banquet on 14th August 1956, in the fast time of one minute and 57 seconds.

The Silver rim with its Celtic designs of monsters and floral patterns dates from the 16th Century. Legends surround the bull’s head crest of the MacLeods. The oldest concerns the 3rd Chief, Malcolm, who built the great keep of Dunvegan in 1360. While visiting Campbell Country in Argyll he was called upon to witness a contest between a great wild bull and a Campbell who had offended his Chief. As a protest at this brutal punishment, Malcolm stepped into the arena himself, grappled with the bull and brought it to its knees. The crowd shouted: “Hold fast Macleod!” and the clan thus acquired its crest and motto.

* This is why I love the MacLeods heeeee!
** John has since passed away and the title of Clan Chief is now held by his son, Hugh.

Loch Etive ~ *pjones747

I love this so, so much.

Dueling Pipers ~ College of Piping

This kid is amazing (not to mention a crazy daredevil). Lovely music, beautiful scenery and great camera work! Totally worth a watch!

Danny MacAskill - "Way Back Home" from Dave Sowerby on Vimeo.

Scottish Highlands (between Corrour and Glen Nevis) ~ *Robstro

"Should Auld Acquaintance...." by Lynne Morris

Trivia: The word "whisky" comes from the Gaelic "uisgebeatha" which means "water of life". Och, aye!

Kilts, bagpipes, drums AND Captain Jack? I'm SOLD!

scot from louise clarke on Vimeo.

River Etive ~ *AndyMumford

Dunvegan Castle (seat of the MacLeods and the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland) is located on the Isle of Skye and is well known for its gardens. It's quite easy to see why.

~ All photos by *Stefano Parad

Beach Pools at Mellon Udrigle ~ *dmass

Mellon Udrigle Beach ~ * jimlaide

Gràdh Geal Mo Chridhe -- a beautiful Gaelic song, this version is my favorite. Lyrics and translation after the cut.

Again, photo taken by me last year at the Highland Games.

I'm a writer and the MacLeods are the central clan in the novel I'm working on, therefore I have a crazy obsession with all things MacLeod (although I do prefer the blue and green tartan to the "Loud MacLeod" yellow tartan. :P )

Photo I took last year at the local Highland Games (it was tons of fun!), I thought it quite true.

Construction on Crathes Castle, near Aberdeen, began in 1553 and lasted 43 years. The estate's famed walled garden is divided into eight themed areas separated by Irish yew hedges, some of which are more than 300 years old.

Crathes Castle ~ *Brian Lawrence/Getty Images (Via National Geographic)