Hello

[Scots56]

My life in 210 words or less…My Scottish ancestry comes from both sides of the blanket as it were. My father’s family comes from the Rose Clan from Kilravock in Nairn, Invernesshire. My mother’s family are McMasters from the Buchanan Clan which I don’t know as much about as the Roses.

As for myself, I’ve been a teacher for over 30 years and am circling the drain on retirement. Hopefully. The past six years I’ve been teaching 5th grade reading and writing in a small Midwestern community. The spousal unit and I live a quiet live with three Boston terrors and various tanks of tropical fish.

Recently I have discovered I have some talent as a writer, so I’ve been journeying down that unexpected path. On one of our trips to Kilravock, a character made herself known to me quite unexpectedly as did another on our second trip. As a result, I now have two novels in the works with another lurking in the background. Which brought me to this site. I’m hoping someone can help me with Scottish Gaelic vernacular and pronunciation. I’ve gotten some words but have no clue how to pronounce them. Any help in that department would be more than welcome.

[Polwarth]

There are very few of us on this site who are actually Scots - I'm one, but don't have the Gaelic. The few Gaelic speakers here are infrequent visitors and some of them are actually from places like Nova Scotia, rather than here!

Good luck with your research for your novels. Please tell me they aren't bodice rippers?!

[kathyv]

Hi there Scots56, welcome from one teacher to another!

We do have a language forum, but like Polwarth said, native Scot Gaelic speakers are few and far between.

Good luck with the writing! (PLEASE! No bodice ripping!)

[Scots56]

No, no bodice ripping in my novels. Romance isn't my thing. Not that I don't like a little romance in my life, it just tends to provoke eye-rolling and "Oh, come ON! Give me a break!" response when I read it.

My novels--still works in progress--are centered around historical events in the clan my ancestors came from. Some love does come in because, let's admit it, love is part of the human condition. My focus is more on the fascinating true events in my characters' lives. Embellished where the books, letters, and personal interviews I do have don't give details of course. ,

Wow, Kathy, that Big Brother mouse is a little unnerving....

[Polwarth]

That's good. Too many Americans seemto be influenced by 'the Bold highlander, kilt bedecked,striding through the heather' type of claptrap, that most of us natives despise!

[IvefromTX]

I'm sorry to burst your bubble but most Americans don't believe in the "bold Hghilander". It's bad to stereotype. I so hate it when I tell people I'm from Texas and they ask if I wear coyboy boots and a hat, still thinking we're in the wild west.

[Polwarth]

You're certainly not bursting any bubble of mine. I make that observation based on many years' experience of dealing with similar questions from foreigners all writing books about Scotland... And almost all of whom are writing about the highlands.

PS. I don't think all Texans wear cowboy gear and doubt that any thinking person would.