Susan Boyle’s Scottish Heritage and America's Highland Games

April 21, 9:42 AMSeattle American Food ExaminerAna Kinkaid

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A Great Voice from Scotland Takes the World Stage!

Susan Boyle’s amazing talent has delighted the world and millions are cheering for her on Britain’s Got Talent. Such a voice leaves us wanting to know more about her background – where it she come from, how did she grow up?

Well, to begin with, Susan is Scottish. (Please don’t say she ‘scotch’. Scotch is a drink. Those lucky enough to have the same heritage as Susan are Scottish.)

Scotland is a grand and beautiful country from Sterling in the Lowlands near the English border to the misty Highlands in the north. The Scots are a practical and passionate people, long determined to maintain their national identity and freedom.

Endless generations of Scots have made their mark upon history as great scientists and economics, poets, artists, writers and warriors. Even the Nazis feared to fight the famed soldiers of the Black Watch, calling them “the ladies from hell!”

The “lady” portion of the above quotation refers to Scotland’s national attire, the kilt. The kilt and the family, that the tartan fabric represents, are serious matters to anyone who is Scottish. To make fun of the tartan or the kilt (which is NOT ever called a ‘skirt’) is to gravely insult anyone with Scottish heritage.

Each summer through the US and Canada, Scottish associations conduct Highlands Games, which are open to the public. Here you can see Highland dancing, traditional Scottish sports such as caber tossing, marching bands, sheep herding dogs and much, much more.

Celtic music and food abounds.  There are also numerous clan tents where you can explore (or discover) your Scottish heritage. Going to a Highland Game during the summer is, simply, something everyone should do at least once in their life.

In the Pacific Northwest, this year’s Games will be held on July 24, 25 & 26 at the Expo Center in Enumclaw, Washington. And you can bet your last dollar that besides all the fun and sun, everyone, and I mean everyone, will be cheering Susan Boyle on to victory!