Friday, September 30, 2022

A Visit to Northern Scotland @lucyburdette


LUCY BURDETTE: you may remember back in 2019 that I went on a wonderful small musical tour in Scotland that became the basis for A Scone of Contention. As the pandemic locked us all down, I developed a terrible itch to visit the stomping grounds of Ann Cleeves, whose Shetland series is one of my very favorites. I was yearning to see the haunts of Jimmy Perez. Luckily, I found another small tour focusing on walking and music in northern Scotland, the Orkney islands, and Shetland, and was able to talk some friends and family into going with me. I will show you a few highlights, but I promise to keep this brief! 





We started out in Stirling, Scotland, where I realized right away that I should have learned to play the bagpipes when I had the chance in high school. (Our high school in New Jersey had the only all girl bagpipe band in the country back in the 70s.) I did dabble in trying the drums (unsuccessful), and then became a sword dancer for the bagpipe band.


Our next stop was in Wick up on the northeast corner of Scotland. We visited the most amazing Wick Heritage Museum, crammed with artifacts and history of the area including its strength as the center of a salted herring boom before WWI. While in that museum, we were treated to a concert by well-known fiddler Gordon Gunn, and his accompanist Isobel Harp. In the background of the video, you can see some of the herring fisherman wearing the sweaters that are famous in that area.





After a shortish ferry ride to Orkney, we visited the mystical standing stones of Stenness...





and then onto an incredible multi-level archeological site called the Ness of Brodgar—all seen in a driving, cold rain. This is the only photo I managed to get—you might think it was a dump rather than a fascinating archeological dig with layers and layers of historical artifacts and structures stretching over many thousands of years. 




The whole thing was accidentally discovered when a neighboring farmer plowed up a stone. We were so lucky to have our tour from site director Nick Card.



I had no idea there had been so much World War II action in this part of the world (I am no historian!) This was a church called the Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners during the war. I began to imagine the historical romance I could write between a prisoner and a local Orkney girl. 




At the bookstore in Kirkwall, I inquired whether such a book existed. Umm, yes. There was an entire shelf of them, which I figured saved me a lot of trouble researching and writing something totally unfamiliar. 


That night we heard the music of Douglas Montgomery, along with his musical partner Brian Cromarty, and Douglas’s astonishingly talented children Lily, Magnus, and Tom. 





(Magnus and Tom had played for then Prince Charles on the island of Hoy earlier in the day.) Oh how I wish I’d stuck with an instrument as a kid!




If you’ve read the Shetland series, you will have heard of the ferry from Orkney to Shetland (about ten hours overnight.) Here was our bunk—I was prepared for the high seas with a scopolamine patch, but it was one of the mildest crossings our guide had experienced. 


Photo by Steve C


Finally we reached Jimmy Perez’s stomping grounds…below, his home...





We were taken on so many amazing hikes…




with one stop at a small graveyard where our musician guide Ed played a lament at fiddler Tom Anderson’s grave.





And then a concert and storytelling from Maurice Henderson on this rugged beach near Tangwick...






There was one extra guest in the audience...





Back on the mainland, our last stop was with fiddler Dougie Lawrence in Findhorn. 







By this point, we’d obviously done in our guides…





A final goodbye concert (Sneug Water Waltz,) though I hope we’ll be back!





My brother-in-law sent me this, do you think it’s too late? 






74 comments:

  1. This is simply amazing . . . beautiful scenery, lovely music . . . thanks for sharing your trip with us . . . [It’s never too late, Lucy!]

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  2. Ohhhhhh I am swooning! I love this in every way—and you tell it so beautifully! Awww. That moment in the bookstore is—hilarious. It was still a good idea! Just not a new one. But that doesn’t mean it still can’t work! And I agree with Joan—never too late. (Do you know the music of The Rankin Family? I think the album is called The North Country—please look for it! ) xxxx

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    1. LOVE the Rankin Family's music, a great Cape Breton family band!

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    2. Hank, I laughed and laughed when I saw all those books lined up about the same story:).

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    3. I give another vote for the Rankin Family's music. This is a link to a live recording of We Rise Again https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42F12OUTkIo

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    4. Oh Amanda—We Rise Again Is one of my favorite songs of all time. Absolutely. Powerful and gorgeous —oh my goodness, I love it.

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  3. It's never too late to learn an instrument! You just have to work harder as a not young person, in my experience. I hope you do it!

    I'm going to be on Mainland, Orkney in just a couple of weeks. I'm so excited! I've been to Scotland a few times now but have only gone as far north as Inverness before. This just looks fantastic!

    Lisa (Brackmann)

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  4. You've convinced me that I need to go. Looks lovely.

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  5. I really need the contact info for your tour guide. A music and walking (and history) tour would be perfect for us!

    So funny about the plot - glad you saved yourself the trouble.

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  6. Would you share the name of the tour company? My grandfather’s family was from Thurso via the Orkneys, and I have read all the Shetland novels, so am itching to visit those islands.

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  7. Never too late, Lucy.
    Thank you for sharing this fabulous tour with us and your photos.
    Danielle

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  8. I can't imagine an all-girl bagpipe band in New Jersey in the SEVENTIES. Boggles the mind.

    Yet it brought to mind the fact that someone in the Barnard class of '70 (I think) plays the bagpipes. I was class of '65, and we re-une with all the class years that end in zero and five. My former roommate and I usually stay together in the dorms for both the short commute and the opportunity to solve the problems of the world well into the wee hours over a bottle of wine with whoever else is there.

    SOMEONE in one of the classes after ours gets up VERY EARLY (like seven) and plays the bagpipes in the quad. I've come to enjoy that eerie awakening. Perhaps it is someone who attended your New Jersey high school.

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    1. What a sweet story of piping in the morning! Looking back, it's quite astonishing that band. I have no idea who started it!

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  9. What a concept! My husband and I are just starting to plan a trip to Scotland. Your tour might be just the thing. What was the name of the tour company you used, please?

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  10. Dream trip, Lucy! SO jealous. Yes, share your tour information. I will come back later to play all the music once everyone else wakes up! Wow, I am marveling at the Italian church and wondering about the real story of the Italian prisoners. Did you buy any of those books? Is one a mystery?

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    1. I bought one called The Metal Heart by Caroline Lea. Two orphaned sisters volunteer to nurse the wounded Italian prisoners, and one falls in love and that leads to tragic choices. I haven't read it yet...

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  11. ROBERTA: I am so glad you were able to make it to your dream trip to northern Scotland! Great photos and music. I have only been as far north as your first stop in Stirling.

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  12. They say learning something new forges new neurological pathways in the brain, so taking up an instrument could make a lot of other things happen. Go for it!

    Thanks for the musical tour! What a special way to tour that area.

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    1. I signed up for a class--3 sessions starting next week. We'll see how it goes!

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    2. Have fun! Neighbors in their 90s say to enjoy all you can for as long as you can. (Mary)

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  13. For those who asked, this is the trip we took: https://edpearlman.net/scotland/index.html

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  14. Wow! What a great trip! I love "Shetland" and Jimmy Perez so it's wonderful to see where the show is filmed. Thank you for sharing the music too. We were the Highlanders in high school so we had two members of the band who spent time in Scotland learning to play the bag pipes. It was fun at pep rallies and during halftime shows to have them marching in kilts playing the school song which was sung to the tune of Loch Lomond.

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    1. Of course, we were the Highlanders too! The highlands of New Jersey LOL

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  15. Thanks for sharing your trip with us this way, Lucy. Great pics. And it's never late to learn the ukulele, I'm told!

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  16. Started my day with a short trip to Scotland full of music! ;-) Thanks. Lucy!! And no, it's never too late--you'll find the time if you really feel the urge to make music.

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  17. And the tarp-covered archaeological site? Been there, done that!

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    1. we were so cold...but we didn't dare complain because we knew how special it was...

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  18. I followed your trip on FB as well, green with envy. So glad, and not at all surprised, you had so much fun. Ed is the husband of one of Diane's colleagues. We have heard him play multiple times, and their children, too. All of them are so talented.

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    1. What fun Brenda to have that connection! One day we'll get up to Portland and have a reunion...

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  19. What a great trip and fabulous pictures, Lucy. It's never too late!

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  20. Never too late, Lucy! Thanks for sharing the pictures and videos. I could use a lot more since I will probably never get there in person!

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    1. I'll invite you over for the endless slide show:). thanks Judi!

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  21. LUCY: What a great trip! Thank you for taking us with you on a picturesque tour of Scotland. It is never too late. I loved your novel Scone of Contention. I would say that is my favorite book from your series. Did you ever get similar feelings that Gloria had about the ? spirits ? I remember when my tour bus drove past Culloden, it was during Easter that year. All of a sudden, the tears came flowing out of my eyes and I had no idea why. I knew about the ill-fated 1745 battle where Bonnie Prince Charles and the Highlanders tried to fight the English soldiers, though I could not recall the specific locations. Later, I got the specifics. I wondered if I felt the spirits of the people who died at Culloden?

    That trip to the Islands on the Ferry sounds like something I would love to do! And yes, I watched Shetland on Britbox.

    Once that darn pandemic is over, I would love to visit Scotland again. My great grandfather was born in Scotland near Glamis Castle, where the Queen Mother grew up.

    Diana

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    1. Diana, I'm sure that was the spirits of the people of Culloden--how lucky you are to have had that experience!

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  22. We are watching S7 of Shetland and continue to be amazed at the beauty of Scotland. Wish I could go there but it’s not on the horizon at present.

    So I’ll make do with your pictures and music. And Ann Cleeves’ wonderful book SHETLAND

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    1. We've only watched the first episode of Season 7, but looking forward to catching up!

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  23. On the day I really want to comment, my comment has disappeared twice. Gonna try one more time and then call it a day!

    Of course you can learn to play an instrument now! This post was a lovely blast from the past for me. In 1978, I studied overseas in the UK. We spent three months based in Edinburgh (including a week in Orkney). In Orkney we saw the standing stones, the Italian Chapel, Skara Brae, and even got to dig some peat. The group divided into 2's and 3's to do a research project on one aspect of Scottish life. My friend Annette and I did our paper on Scottish folk music and had the BEST time. We went to folk clubs and festivals and interviewed musicians. My favorite fiddler was Aly Bain, who learned his craft from Tom Anderson. He played with Boys of the Lough. We also loved the group Jock Tamson's Bairns. Rod Paterson's voice sends a shiver down my spine. Of course the memory of having a beer with them helps too. We interviewed poet and academic Hamish Henderson and rode the bus with him from Aberdeen to the Keith music festival. Truly the most fun research I have ever done.Thanks for the post, Lucy!

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    1. OMG Gillian, what an amazing experience you had! You and your friend were so clever to choose Scottish folk music!

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  24. I am so envious of your trip!!!

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  25. What a wonderful trip… but what did you E A T???

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    1. Kippers and haggis were memorable. My host mum was actually Welsh. She made Welsh cakes for me. Our favorite vegetarian restaurant in Edinburgh, Henderson's, is still open. Mostly I remember their trifles. Yum.

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    2. Oddly enough, the focus was not on food! So many places offered macaroni and cheese and I tried many of them--delicious!

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  26. My visit to Orkney in 2010 was stunningly fabulous. I loved that our Brodgar guide basically said you couldn't trip over a stone in your path without discovering another prehistoric settlement.

    Thanks for this excellent reminder. Time to return.

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  27. I so much enjoyed your travelogue, Lucy, not to mention the photos and videos. Thank you! My name Hays is from the Lowland Scots' Hay clan, but I've only traveled in Scotland once. Maybe it's time for another trip!

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    1. thanks Kim. My sister and I feel we must be a large part Scottish because we loved being there so dearly...

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  28. Sounds like a wonderful trip. I wish I could play the fiddle but I couldn't even manage piano lessons as a child. No musical talent at all. We had a high school in Houston with a girls' drum and bugle corp that included bagpipes.

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    1. Bagpipes must have been a thing back then! I took piano lessons, but I know I didn't practice as I should have.

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  29. Love, love, love Scotland! Looks like a fantastic trip. Seeing the rugged country helps explain why Scots have such a reputation as engineers - they’ve had to do a lot of problem solving to survive!
    Lisa in Long Beach

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    1. Thanks Lisa. I hadn't thought about that but so true, especially up on those islands!

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  30. What a fabulous trip! Thanks for sharing the beauty. <3

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  31. Roberta, I echo everyone who says it's never too late to learn a new skill! Especially when you're driven by love and passion.

    I'm genuinely curious, how do you find these interesting tours? I've never booked any organized travel for myself but seeing the wonderful things that you've done on your tours makes me a lot more enthusiastic about the idea.

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    1. I search around with Dr. Google! I suppose it's more risky than a big tour, but so satisfying. And sometimes nice not to have to plan every single minute yourself

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  32. Dear Lucy…it’s never too late to try and to do whatever it is in away that pleases you. After quitting when I was eight, I began ballet lessons when I was 35 and kept them up for about 8 years. (Nearby studios discontinued adult classes.) Dancing with joy and grace for another 10 years or so in my home. Go for it! Elisabeth

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  33. Lovely post! I visited Orkney when I was an exchange student in Scotland in the late 70s; I've returned to Scotland but not to the Orkneys. It's time! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  34. Thanks for sharing some highlights of your trip, Lucy. The sights and sounds are wonderful. I am surprised it's a ten-hour trip from Orkney to Shetland. Those places are isolated, aren't they. The church the Italian prisoners built is so beautiful. Did you get any interior pictures? And, it's never to late to learn something new, like playing an instrument.

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    1. thanks Kathy! I was surprised to realize that part of Shetland is only 50 miles from Norway!

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  35. I've only been to Scotland once - to Edinburgh. What a great city. I felt like Harry, Ron and Hermione would come running around a corner any moment! We were fortunate to get tickets for the Tattoo which is a must see. It is truly awe-inspiring!

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  36. Sorry to have been out of pocket today, Roberta! I just had a chance to listen to all our video clips and the music is so lovely! Now I really want to get back to Scotland...

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  37. There was a long term sub from Canada at the middle school where I worked and he played his bagpipes as the buses loaded and left on the last day of school.
    I look forward to your ukulele concert!

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  38. I love this post so much! Sorry I missed it yesterday. I found another litter of kittens...no, not kidding...but your post has soothed my anxiety tremendously.

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