Will auld acquaintance be forgot as Scots go it alone?

The Times (London, UK) ^ | March 31, 2007 | Martin Fletcher

[Candor7]

You will never understand what it is to be Scottish.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hardly. It comprises a great deal of my work:

http://www.grahamhighlanders.com (The band I founded)

And thats me on the right, the gentleman on the left is His Grace, James Graham, Duke of Montrose, 8th hereditary Chief of Clan Graham, and member of the House of Lords.He thinks I know what it is to be Scottish, so whats your problem anyway? Do you think that you know more about me than His Grace, perchance?

Beware of your racial slurs my man, and your statements about what I am, for they are purely in your imagination.

Keep it up and you will no longer be here.

[Oberon]

And the English make good ales. I like English ales.

I can forgive the English all their sins of kitchen and dining table, as long as I have access to the products of English brewing.

You can keep your sour pilseners and bready bocks; top fermentation is where it's at. The English got it right with porter, I think, and if I can come by a good IPA or an Imperial Stout along the way, so much the better!

To be fair, though, I like Belgian brews nearly as well as the English, and there's no flies on the Irish products either.

[Candor7]

A lot of the small Northern Scottish towns have their own bridie shops, with their own special recipes. They are one of my favorite foods. You can get cheap ones at the grocery, and heat 'em in a microwave. They are really tastey and filling.

[Oberon]

I’m half-tempted to travel there and try them. My wife is an Atchison, and I’m told she still has family in Scotland.

[Vicomte13]

That looks quite a bit like a steak-and-kidney pie, without the plate. Hmmmm. It might actually be good. There is a lot of peasant fare that people turn their noses up at which is actually very savory.

And with lamb or mutton? That makes it sound even better.
Next time I am in the UK, I will seek out a lamb bridie.

However “HP sauce”? Is this the fingernail in the pie?

[fanfan]

You’re a fine looking man Candor.

[Brit_Guy]

“”Britain fought for two years against tyranny alone””

A wee bit late to this one but have very much enjoyed reading this entertaining exchange. However, I’m going to wade in at the assertion that him saying ‘Britain stood alone’ between 1939-41 is a statement of monsterous misrepresentation. After all that is one of Churchills stock laments of history. When referencing Britain in that period it is phrase of the inclusiveness. The idea of ‘The British’ in the 30s and 40s is of course the Commonwealth and Empire. The pink bits on the map. Which sadly indeed were largely holding off Hitler on their own until Peral Harbour persuaded the Americans that sitting on the sidelines wasn’t going to work.

Had he said ‘England stood alone’ you would be right to get high and mighty on the linguistic point. But it seems to be you, not him, who is confusing ‘British’ and ‘English’ throughout the thread.

Carry on the pair of you..... :)

[Churchillspirit]

Why are you so rude?

[GMMAC]

"You’re a fine looking man Candor."

Aye, that he is with his typical of the Highland Scots' dark good looks but ...
... you'll note his knees aren't showing.

Just let me don my own splendid Jacobite apparel & I'll gladly go him knees to knees - LOL!

[Vicomte13]

I am curious about this:

Were the Americans able to trade freely with India and British Africa during this period, or was “the Empire” largely closed to American trade without heavy tarriffs, restrictions, etc.? Do you know?

[fanfan]

I want to sell the tickets, OK?

;-D

[GMMAC]

"rude" ???

Try outraged by such a churlish slight to all non-Britsh Allied Military members who nobly served freedom's cause from 1939 until America eventually entered WW2 in late 1941.

Given - beyond in Europe - Canada, Australia & numerous other nations had Troops who laid down their lives in hellholes like Hong Kong, insisting upon due respect for their sacrifices is light years away from being "rude"?

[Brit_Guy]

“Were the Americans able to trade freely with India and British Africa during this period, or was “the Empire” largely closed to American trade without heavy tarriffs, restrictions, etc.? Do you know?”

During which period? 1939-41? There was next to no trade, much less tarrifs! It was a case of the USA sending over guns, food and fuel on a lend/lease basis and us finding anyone over 18 to use them! The UK was practically bankrupt by that point.

[Candor7]

You got that right. My knees are shot from having to jump in and out of foxholes, and then kick starting Norton motorcycles. I will not enter a knee comnpetition with anyone!( LOL)

You win by default!

[Brit_Guy]

Please name the countries that still had a functioning governement that were not either members of the British Empire or Commonwealth who were at War with Hitler between 1939 and 41?

Between 1939-41 The Australians, Canadians, Hong Kong, Indians, New Zealanders would all recognise themselves as loyal to the British crown at state level if not at the level of the individual soldier. There is no massive slur in describing the Commonwealth Allies as British - any more than calling a modern day Scot or Welsh ‘British’. ‘Commonwealth’ would have been a better word than ‘British’, but I am sure no slur was intended, and this whole side debate is a big red herring on the two of you having a very entertaining argument about Scotishness. Which I was enjoying!

[Candor7]

You’re a fine looking man Candor.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

My mother thinks so too, but few others.

LOL

[Churchillspirit]

How many pub lunches have you eaten in Britain?

Forget the "sandwiches behind the bar" most pubs serve a good shepherd's pie; ploughman's lunch (cheeses with fresh bread and optional pickled onions). Many of them offer a carvery - a choice of cooked meats carved to order with a selection of salads. Some will also serve fish and chips - and a good soup is almost always available.

[Churchillspirit]

What tartan are you wearing in that photo?

It is neither Montrose nor Menteith.

[Candor7]

Well if you want bridies you don't have to travel further than your nearest Highland Games , or you can make your own

Traditional Scottish Recipes - Forfar Bridies

These are said to have been made by a travelling food seller, Maggie Bridie of Glamis (in the days when the county of Angus was called Forfarshire). They were mentioned by J M Barrie (author of Peter Pan) who was born in Kirriemuir in that county. The original recipe used suet but since that is not always to everyone's taste, you can use butter or margarine.

Ingredients (for six bridies):

1½ lbs (700g) boneless, lean rump steak. Lean minced beef can also be used.

2 oz (2 rounded tablespoons) suet or butter or margarine

1 (or 2) onion, chopped finely

1 teaspoon dry mustard powder

Quarter cup rich beef stock ( you can used canned)

Salt and pepper to taste

1½ lbs flaky pastry (home made or from a pastry mix packet)

Method:

Remove any fat or gristle from the meat and beat with a meat bat or rolling pin. Cut into half-inch (1cm) pieces and place in a medium bowl. Add the salt/pepper, mustard, chopped onion, suet (or butter/margarine) and stock and mix well.

Prepare the pastry and divide the pastry and meat mixture into six equal portions. Roll each pastry portion into a circle about six inches in diameter and about quarter of an inch thick and place a portion of the mixture in the centre. Leave an edge of pastry showing all round. Brush the outer edge of half the pastry circle with water and fold over. Crimp the edges together well. The crimped edges should be at the top of each bridie. Make a small slit in the top (to let out any steam). Brush a 12 inch square (or equivalent area) baking tray with oil and place the bridies in this, ensuring that they are not touching.

Place in a pre-heated oven at 450F/230C/gas mark 8 for 15 minutes then reduce the temperature to 350F/180C/gas mark 4 and cook for another 45/55 minutes. They should be golden brown and if they are getting too dark, cover with greaseproof paper (vegetable parchment).

Or you can order your own, just heat and serve:

http://www.scottishfoodoverseas.com/forfar-bridies.html

[Churchillspirit]

You may have some valid points but name calling is not encouraged here. You have been preaching to the newb as you call him about etiquette on Free Republic. You need to follow it yourself.