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Scottish Culture/Questions Answered by Expert Kaye McAlpine
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Jesus | 1/8/2012 |
| Q: Eilean Isa is a small island in Dunveagan Bay in Scotland...Jesus's Isle or the Island of ... A: As I mention in my biog., I don't speak Gaelic, so I have no knowledge about the etymology of Gaelic ... | |
| accents | 12/18/2011 |
| Q: i have been told invernesians speak the best qeens english is this true A: I don't know if it's the best queen's English - that is in terms of gammatical accuracy - but it is ... | |
| Tartans | 12/6/2011 |
| Q: I am wondering if you can help me locate the best source for tartan information. Paticularly, I am ... A: I think the best place to look would be The Scottish Register of Tartans ... | |
| Gaelic translation | 11/10/2011 |
| Q: Me and my father want to get tattoos to Represent our love for each other after overcoming a lot of ... A: I'm afraid that I can't help you. I do not speak Gaelic and I wouldn't like to offer suggestions for ... | |
| Scottish Clans | 9/13/2011 |
| Q: I have traced my ancestors and found several that came from Scotland. I would like to find a clan I ... A: First of all, as I have said many times before, I'm no genealogist, so I can't help directly with ... | |
| 15th Century Lowland Lord | 7/27/2011 |
| Q: I would like to know such things that would be typical in the 15th century for a Lord/Baron living ... A: This sounds very like an educations / academic project or a writing project, so I'm afraid that I'm ... | |
| King George Land Grants to South Carolina Colony | 5/21/2011 |
| Q: Is the a record of the land grants issue sometime between 1740 and 1760 that was filed in South ... A: You might want to look somewhere like ... | |
| Clan McAlpine | 5/21/2011 |
| Q: Do you think Lord Lyon will recognize the McAlpine's as a new active clan? A: Given the clan was broken around 700 years ago, it's a long convoluted process - but I understand ... | |
| Kilners in Scotland? | 5/17/2011 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could shed some light on my last name, my dad says we may be scottish but hes ... A: While there are Kilners in Scotland, it's not a recognised Scottish surname - it is, however, and ... | |
| McLeods of Jamaica | 4/22/2011 |
| Q: I am interested in finding out how I got a Scottish surname when my family is from Jamaica. My ... A: First of all, as I have had to point out to several people, as you'll see stated on my biog, I am ... | |
| Meherg/Maharg | 4/21/2011 |
| Q: I have traced my family back to a John Maharg, b. c 1730, d. May 12, 1782 in 96 district, South ... A: There is indeed a tradition of the Graham-Maharg (NOT McHarg, which is from a different root) link. ... | |
| Sarah Catherine McDonald | 4/7/2011 |
| Q: I am a descendent of Sarah Catherine McDonald Simmons, b. 1775. I am attempting to find information ... A: As you'll see from my biog page, I am not a genealogist, and therefore cannot help with the ... | |
| My father | 3/13/2011 |
| Q: My father's 80th birthday is coming up in July. I'm curious to know if there's a particularly ... A: First of all, what a lovely idea! I've had a root about in various books etc and there's nothing ... | |
| History | 3/2/2011 |
| Q: What difficulties did the Scottish over come with immigration in 1880's A: I'm presuming you mean the emigration which occurred - there was precious little immigration in the ... | |
| Ulster Scot | 1/31/2011 |
| Q: I am hoping you can help. I am reaching out to get some direction. My first known ancestor Charles ... A: As you'll see in my bio, I'm no genealogist. Neither am I an expert in emigration or immigration ... ... | |
| Relationship between Culdees and Copts? | 1/17/2011 |
| Q: My dear Kaye, I'm writing a historical novel on a party of 13th century Scots accompanying St. ... A: Phew - that's some question. I've actually just finished reading Blondel's Song, a non-fiction ... | |
| books | 12/31/2010 |
| Q: Please give me some titles of books dealing with domestic life and social customs of the highland ... A: I'm loathe to give you too many titles - this sounds like a reading project to me - apologies if ... | |
| Giles as sept of what clan ? | 12/18/2010 |
| Q: What Clan is the name "Giles" a sept of ? A: 'Giles' is not a sept of any clan. It is a surname which came into England and Scotland via the ... | |
| Early Scottish Dwellings | 12/2/2010 |
| Q: Can you tell me if the Scots ever lived in a wooden structure built into a hillside? The picture ... A: I'm no archaeologist or architect, but I do recall a local historian telling me about dwellings in ... | |
| Grahams - Mahargs | 11/15/2010 |
| Q: We are tracing Grahams. My great great grandfather Daniel Graham was born in Craigs Townland, ... A: First of all, when you are contacting people, it's probably best to use Scots not Scotch - some ... | |
| Grahams - Mahargs | 11/15/2010 |
| Q: We are tracing Grahams. My great great grandfather Daniel Graham was born in Craigs Townland, ... A: it's not rambling at all - or if it is, you're talking to an inveterate rambler - on the page at ... | |
| brooches... | 9/14/2010 |
| Q: i was doing some reading, and i read that women back in scottish history would wear their clan crest ... A: There are always several crests associated with a clan: the chief's crest, the cadet crest, the ... | |
| clan association | 9/1/2010 |
| Q: Please could you tell me what clan the bishop name can associate itself with? Thank you A: As far as I'm aware the name Bishop is not associated with any clan. It is thought to be originally ... | |
| Scottish Shepherd | 8/29/2010 |
| Q: I was wondering about an ancestor who was born in Scotland in 1799. He came to Canada leaving behind ... A: It is entirely possible that your ancestor was a shepherd. There was a large wool industry. The ... | |
| Graham exile to Ireland | 8/27/2010 |
| Q: My father always said our family was exiled from Scotland to Ireland. I have traced the family to ... A: If the name you have is correct - i.e., this Joseph Graham is your ancestor - then you may have to ... | |
| Tartans | 7/30/2010 |
| Q: I was wondering about my great-great-great-great-grandfather's tartan. He was from the Laing sept of ... A: I'm afraid that the wearing of the tartan is probably a made-up story. If this is about your ... | |
| Vintage Kilt Pin | 7/7/2010 |
| Q: Was hoping you could share some light on a pin I bought at an estate sale recently. I was told it ... A: First of all, this is a very pretty thing indeed. Over a 100 years old is really neither here nor ... | |
| kilt pin | 6/22/2010 |
| Q: I have purchased a kilt pin on ebay. the seller was in Thurso. The pin was tarnished but has cleaned ... A: Kilt pins are decorative and as such aren't associated with any one clan, sept etc etc. However, if ... | |
| Photo and fashion | 6/12/2010 |
| Q: Apology for the lapse in getting back to you regarding the Ingersoll photo. Thanks again, Kaye. ... A: Yes, I had noticed the buckles or rosettes too - though I have to admit it hadn't occurred to me ... | |
| 19th-century photo | 6/7/2010 |
| Q: This is a follow-up to the photograph I sent you yesterday in regard to the question of whether or ... A: Rachel I noticed the shoes / boots thing too. As far as I understand it, boots were more practical, ... | |
| 19th-century Scottish fashion | 6/6/2010 |
| Q: I send you a story you may find interesting which has its origins with a friend of mine finding a ... A: Now, I know both boys and girls wore dresses for the early part of their lives in the 19th century, ... | |
| to "google" | 3/18/2010 |
| Q: Many years ago (1969) whilst be taken on a tour of Aberdeenshire by a local, he mentioned that on a ... A: This sounds like a family variant or local variant of the verb 'to guddle'. Guddling is exactly as ... | |
| current clan enmities | 2/10/2010 |
| Q: I am researching a novel where a character is given a new identity. I want his name to change from ... A: You know, when it comes to novel research, I'm always loathe to offer information or advice. I think ... | |
| Thankyou | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: i have been trying to research my fathers side of the family, and have just managed to get a photo ... A: By the Victorian era, many women took their husband's names, but some were still known by their own ... | |
| Clan Crest | 2/8/2010 |
| Q: i have been trying to research my fathers side of the family, and have just managed to get a photo ... A: I've had a look around, and I'm wondering if this crest might be related to your great grandfather's ... | |
| Gaelic language & songs | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: I teach a very basic Gaelic song and language workshop at our annual Scottish festival. Can you ... A: I don't speak Gaelic, and so it's with some regret I have to say that I cannot help you. I've never ... | |
| Flora Macdonald | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: I will be doing a Living History performance at our annual Scottish Festival of Flora Macdonald and ... A: I think) Flora McDonald was no run of the mill average Highland woman, so that should be straight ... | |
| Scottish toast | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: I am trying to find out the spelling and meaning of phrase given during a toast of "San slavah"? A: I think you mean slàinte mhath- which sounds a bit like 'slanje vah'. As with toasts around the ... | |
| What Clan do we belong to? | 1/6/2010 |
| Q: My brother , father and I have tried over the years to find out what clan we belong to and have run ... A: The reason that you're running into dead ends is because as far as I'm aware, the name Kelty isn't ... | |
| history | 12/19/2009 |
| Q: I ask you to explain how to write to relatives of Mekenzi. I have not understood, how read. I ask ... A: I have been waiting for you to get back in touch. Please look down the page, where there is a ... | |
| Rear Admiral Thomas MacKenzie | 12/8/2009 |
| Q: A question relating to Rear Adm.Thomas MacKenzie founder of Sevastopol 1783 has been summarized in ... A: and although I did ask her to get back in touch, the site notes that to date my response has not ... | |
| Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland | 10/27/2009 |
| Q: I am an American man seeking my national origin (my roots). My surname is Bell. I have heard that ... A: You do not have to prove that Bell is a Scottish name through that route. Bell is prevalent in ... | |
| Scottish Phrase | 10/13/2009 |
| Q: My wife uses the term "Skee wiff" to describe a golf shot that is hit offline. Can you help me with ... A: This is an interesting one - I'm not sure if the phrase can be entirely attributed to Scots, or if ... | |
| Sir Thomas MACKENZIE | 9/28/2009 |
| Q: I live in Sevastopol. The city of Sevastopol was based by Scot Thomas Mekenzi in 1783. His father ... A: What is it you want to know? I can help you via this site. I believe that there is an area called ... | |
| Translation for Words | 8/2/2009 |
| Q: I don't know if i can even ask this, but i was wondering if you would happen to know the ... A: I don't speak Gaelic. However, a bit of a trawl through some sites came up with the following. Try ... | |
| Tradition of Stags Head Antlers | 4/14/2009 |
| Q: My grandfather had a magnificent mounted stags head 16 pointer which traditionally passes from the ... A: I think you may have to contact or do some research into other families involved with shooting / ... | |
| Engraving for a wedding sword | 4/8/2009 |
| Q: I would like an appropriate phrase or scottish saying to put on Claymore sword to be used to cut the ... A: I can't help if you're looking for a Gaelic phrase - but I wonder if something from Burns might be ... | |
| validity of Mackenzie clan battle cry | 4/2/2009 |
| Q: My father was born & raised in the highlands (Wester Ross)& is 85, he is adamant that the Mackenzie ... A: I've had a shifty around in books and online. 'Tulach Ard' was the clan's war cry (Tulach Ard is a ... | |
| 13th century scottish dwellings | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: Hey, I am currently writing my first novel, a work of fantasy, and am basing one of the lands on ... A: Just a couple of thoughts. If your guy is a Highland farmer, he'll speak Gaelic and not be able to ... | |
| 13th century scottish dwellings | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: Hey, I am currently writing my first novel, a work of fantasy, and am basing one of the lands on ... A: I've had a few questions like this - people writing novels, and my answer usually starts off the ... | |
| 1st born son | 3/20/2009 |
| Q: Can you please tell me what is appropriate, our friends have migrated to Aust from Scotland & I wish ... A: There are many traditions surrounding babies and children, but in terms of gifts, the tendency is ... | |
| Scottish accent | 3/11/2009 |
| Q: I guess this isn't really a culture question but when I found this website I thought I'd try ... A: This is a strange one. I have to say that the Invernesian accent is one of the clearest accents in ... | |
| Scotland | 3/4/2009 |
| Q: I am doing a speech at school on William Wallace. It sounds a bit plain right know so I was ... A: It's always best to stick to what you know. Using words out of context is never wise - it won't make ... | |
| Scottish clothing style in 19th century | 2/23/2009 |
| Q: I am writing a story about traveling through time, and I want to make sure I have accurate details. ... A: Once again, you need to hone your dates - think about decades rather than a 'catch-all' - early ... | |
| Scottish clothing style in 19th century | 2/18/2009 |
| Q: I am writing a story about traveling through time, and I want to make sure I have accurate details. ... A: I'm sorry if this sounds terse, but part of the creative process is doing appropriate research, if ... | |
| please help translation | 12/12/2008 |
| Q: Could you please help me translate a quote from english to scottish gaelic. The quote is "all men ... A: I can't help you with this. I don't speak Gaelic - in terms of native languages I just speak Scots ... | |
| HUNTIGOWK | 10/19/2008 |
| Q: could anybody tell me something about the origin and usage of the word 'huntigowk', please. I will ... A: 'Huntigowk', as you have it, is a variation of 'hunt the gowk' or 'huntegowk'. In Scots, gowk is a ... | |
| clothing | 10/6/2008 |
| Q: Im looking for information on clothing worn in institutions in the 1700's and 1800's in Scotland. ... A: That sounds fascinating,, and I hope I can give you some pointers, though this is so far out of my ... | |
| culture | 10/5/2008 |
| Q: i have heard of the first glass of scotch one might have during the day being called an "elbow ... A: this is news to me, but I guess it depends on what area of the country it's meant to have been from. ... | |
| Scottish Dialect | 9/25/2008 |
| Q: Sorry to disturb you. I am an Aberdonian but I am in need of a distinctly Glaswegian accent for a ... A: Erm, I'm not sure how I can help with this online. However, I'll give it a go. If you have no ... | |
| travelling in the 18th century | 9/8/2008 |
| Q: I would like to know how long it took a man to travel on foot from Essex to the Black Isle. How long ... A: Again, this needs more consideration. There isn't a standard grace. It would depend on religion, ... | |
| travelling in the 18th century | 9/5/2008 |
| Q: I would like to know how long it took a man to travel on foot from Essex to the Black Isle. How long ... A: This is not really about Scottish culture. This sound to me very much like research to me. I've done ... | |
| scottish ancestors | 8/27/2008 |
| Q: according to my passed grandmother Sophie Quinz born in former Austroungarian monarchy our earliest ... A: This is more about genealogy than culture, but I'll do my best. If you are looking for ancestors ... | |
| scottish words | 7/8/2008 |
| Q: the word is used often in fife but i can find no reference to it.Regards Peter. ANSWER: Hi Peter ... A: I've found the Kelty Fife Post reference: were the headstones in Kelty? Could it be some localised ... | |
| scottish words | 7/8/2008 |
| Q: the word is used often in fife but i can find no reference to it.Regards Peter. A: I've been all over the place web wise too, to help with this one. Not being a Fifer it's not a word ... | |
| What does 'twyte' mean? | 6/26/2008 |
| Q: I was watching "Seasonally Scottish", a cooking programme on the Food TV in New Zealand. It is ... A: I'm in two minds here. I'm trying to recall how Lady Claire MacDonald speaks - you see twyte is a ... | |
| The real meaning of a word... | 5/27/2008 |
| Q: I recently found the word Gallach under the synonym for priest. However, outside of the word ... A: Now here's a thing. Gallach wasn't a word I've come across, so I went to the best place - the online ... | |
| Scots Gaelic Translation | 5/19/2008 |
| Q: im looking for a translation of scotland's national motto, "Nemo Me Impune Lacessit" into gaelic. it ... A: Unfortunately, I can't help you with this: I don't speak Gaelic. However, in Scots, it's commonly ... | |
| New Year's custom | 4/1/2008 |
| Q: My cousin who has Scottish heritage ( and very proud of it) told me about what he said was a common ... A: I'm very surprised that your friend had never heard of first footing: where is he from?? As far as I ... | |
| Mackenzie Clan query | 3/19/2008 |
| Q: My ancestors are of the Mackenzie clan and i am doing a little research into some meanings, ... A: The pronunciation for what, exactly? Nowadays, people use the z as a z, so it's Mackenzie. For ... | |
| Mackenzie Clan query | 3/19/2008 |
| Q: My ancestors are of the Mackenzie clan and i am doing a little research into some meanings, ... A: Apologies if you already know what follows: I'm no clan scholar, but I do know how to follow a ... | |
| around 1890-1910 | 2/25/2008 |
| Q: why did most scottish move to the states A: That's a very close time span you are considering ... and forgive me if this is wrong, but it look ... | |
| Scottish immigration | 2/13/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could tell me how the Scottish were treated when immigrating to America. Did ... A: Well, I can say something about Scottish *emigration* - I know more about the leaving of the home ... | |
| McEWAN | 1/4/2008 |
| Q: I am a McEwan, and have been trying to find any information on the earliest known use of the ... A: I'm not really sure if I'm the best person to help you here. All I've been able to dig up is about ... | |
| Scottish Sayings | 11/25/2007 |
| Q: Where does the saying "Going to get your messages" in relation to going to get groceries or food ... A: Going for the messages has been dated from the 20th C, but could be from the 19th C, and it's an ... | |
| Phrases to ad-lib @ a wedding celebration, 1700s | 10/14/2007 |
| Q: I am directing a production of the musical, Brigadoon and am searching for appropriate phrases my ... A: This isn't really a question, but I can a spare a few mintues on this, I guess. Firstly, I have to ... | |
| Scottish-Irish connection | 10/8/2007 |
| Q: Why do both Scottish men and Irish men wear kilts? A: Okay (deep breath) The modern kilt developed out of the fèileadh beag or philabeg , which in its ... | |
| Scottish Families | 10/4/2007 |
| Q: As funny as this may sound, what did Scottish children call their parents during the 13th Century? A: Ooh, this is a sticky one. The blunt answer is ''no-one can be sure', as we would need orally ... | |
| Scottish weather | 8/31/2007 |
| Q: Hey there. I'm from Israel and I'm planning to go on a 3 weeks trip to Europe between the 20th of ... A: Well, it's hardly Scottish culture, and I am not a meteorologist, but here's some information ... | |
| Jacobites | 8/19/2007 |
| Q: I am tracking the McIlhargie family from Scotland to Ireland. The chatter online is that the family ... A: A Jacobite was originally a supporter of James VII of Scotland (James II of England and Wales), who ... | |
| scottish nonsense | 6/28/2007 |
| Q: I'm currently trying to translate a quite nice and funny tale by Edgar Rice Burroughs titled ... A: The phrase - 'Hoot Mon, I'm dinna ken muckle wouldna' is not really grammatically correct in Scots ... | |
| gaelic phrase | 6/9/2007 |
| Q: when translated what does the phrase under the rampant lion mean at the entrance to edinburgh ... A: This isn't Gaelic, it's Latin. Originally the motto of the monarch of the Scots and it appeared on ... | |
Kaye McAlpine
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Lifecycle (birth, marriage, death) customs in Scotland, Early Modern Scottish social customs, modern Scottish social customs, Border March laws and procedures, criminal processes and judicial execution practices, social history in Early Modern Scotland, ephemera printing in Scotland. While I have some knowledge of the clan system and function of the clan society (Highland and Lowland), I am not a an expert in clan genealogy. Having traced back my own family over a couple of centuries, and traced others due to academic research, I do know how the system works, however. This doesn't mean that I'm a genealogist. Please note that I do not speak Gaelic.
Experience
Research Fellow (University of Edinburgh).
Contributer to various books and journals on ballads, including Scottish Life and Society: A Compendium of Scottish Ethnology, The Ballad and History and The Harris Repertoire.
Freelance tutor in outreach courses from Edinburgh University on Scottish Culture and Tradition, including lifecycle customs, broadsheet ballads in Scotland, the traditional ballad and history.
Freelance writer, guest presenter on Ch4 History Hunters programme, contributor to BBC Radio Scotland's 'Songlines' series on 'The Dowie Dens of Yarrow'.
Currently co-director of a media production company
Publications
Books:
Forthcoming: The Gallows and The Stake
Published: Compendium of Scottish Ethnology, vol. 10, chapter on The Traditional and the Border Ballad; The Harris Repertoire (2000, Scottish Text Society, co-editor), The Ballad in History (chapter on Border ballads). Journals include Folklore, The Review of Scottish Culture,Sottish Studies, and The Scottish Literary Journal
Education/Credentials
Ph D, M. Phil, BA (hons)
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