[AmericanVictory]

Irish and Scottish people share very similar DNA. The obvious similarities of culture, pale skin, tendancy to red hair have historically been prescribed to the two people's sharing a common celtic ancestry. Actually it now seems much more likely that the similarity results from the movement of people from the north of Ireland into Scotland in the centuries 400 - 800 AD. At this time the kingdom of Dalriada, based near Ballymoney in County Antrim extended far into Scotland. The Irish invaders brought Gaelic language and culture, and they also brought their genes.

Elgin is an ancient walled city in Scotland and also an earldom. In the Gaelic "Elgin" means "little Ireland." The greatest proof that there was an influx from Ireland into what is now Elgin is that about 90% of the better single malt scotch is made in Elgin. It has the most stops along the Whiskey trail. It seems that the Irish brougt with them the skill of making usquebaugh.

The Earl of Elgin, however, is now a Bruce. Seems a Scots King had a hired sword, a Norman by the name of Robert le Brus. The king, no dummy, it seems, arranged for his hired sword to marry one of the beautiful daughters of the Elgin chief, who had daughters not sons. One of the male offspring became well known as Robert the Bruce.

[Renfield]

I’ve been to Elgin, and all over the surrounding area (I attended a summer school term at Gordonstoun many years ago).

I disagree with your remark about the single malts. All of my favorites come from Islay. The single malt museum is in Elgin, though, so if I ever get back I’ll be sure to stop there.