From the book Mr. Standfast by John Buchan:<BR><BR>"Presently the road fell to the gleaming sea-loch which lay like the blue blade of a sword among the purple of the hills. At the head there was a tiny clachan, nestled among birches and rowans, where a tawny burn wound to the sea. When I entered the entered the place it was about four o'clock in the afternoon, and peace lay on it like a garment. In the wide, sunny street there was no sign of life, and no sound except of hens clucking and of bees busy among the roses. There was a little grey box of a kirk, and close to the bridge a thatched cottage which bore the sign of a post and telegraph office."<BR><BR>Sigh--just makes the spring fever worse, doesn't it?

I'm reading "Outlander" now. Have you read it? Many beautiful descriptions of the highlands. Ay. Bonny Scotland. <BR><BR>a clansman

"Once in the highlands, the highlands of Scotland, two wearing hunters lost their way. This is what happened, the strange thing that happened to two wearing hunters who lost their way.....Brigadoon, Brigadoon......

If the nostalgia bug is biting too hard, you could always try a little Irvine Welsh, James Kelman, or Ian Rankin as an antidote.

Yes, I have read Outlander and the other Gabaldon books, and I have been reading Ian Rankin. He is certainly not nostalgic, but the descriptions of Edinburgh are great. Thanks for the Brigadoon quote.

Ay. Anytime lassie....<BR><BR>

May I ask, please; what is a "burn"?

Dallas, a "burn" is a stream.

I wish I was in Scotland.

It's like when I read American travel writing, I want to go to your desert to see those indian dudes in theor tipis. Watching them being shot by your cowboys must be real fun. Not sure about the slaves that you guys have in the South though, that shouldnt be allowed.

Stop Deluding... I'm one of those people you are so blithely referring to... I am an Anishinabe woman. I also love reading descriptive verse about a land and time... I'm looking forward to a visit to Scotland in just a few weeks... and I'm not as angry as you seem to be, even though it looks like I may have more moral rights!... calm down!

I just got back last week from my fourth trip to Scotland and I miss it already!<BR>My heart is in the Highlands,<BR>My heart is not here.<BR>My heart is in the Highlands,<BR>a'running with the deer.<BR> Robert Burns

Mel; did you get to his house in Dumfries? Robert Burns that is. <BR><BR>"We twa hae run about the braes, <BR>And pou'd the gowans fine; <BR>But we've wander'd mony a weary foot,<BR> Sin auld lang syne."r.b.<BR><BR>gowans= daisies

Nope, but that's just one more reason to go back

Mel, aren't you the one who also likes the Adelphi Hotel in London? We must be on the same wavelength.

Yes, Carolyn, I've recommended the Adelphi, though it's been some time so you have a good memory!<BR><BR>Great minds think alike!

Mel, r, and Carolyn, we will be in Dumfries overnight in about a month... just stopped before, and now will stay overnight this time, and will check out the Globe Pub. Glad to meet you all!