About ten years ago, I was asked to plan and lead a walking pilgrimage for a group of American students. The Speyside Way seemed an ideal choice. It would showcase various Scottish landscapes, from the mountains to the coast, and provide a lesson on the history of the Catholic faith in Scotland during and after the Reformation. However, on the…
You may still recall that just over a week ago, we experienced a mini heatwave in Aberdeenshire. It was hot enough and lasted long enough that I decided to buy a set of lighter clothing. Those who know me well would understand that it was a big deal – my fashion spending is so tight that if everyone followed suit,…
“An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman…” It’s a classic opening for a British joke. It’s very common in various parts of the world as well; in my home country, it would usually feature a Pole, a German, and a Russian, with the latter often the butt of the joke. There are also versions with different professions, such as a…
When I ask for help, I get two types of reactions. Primary school-age children instantly raise their hands up, and some enthusiastically try to draw my attention: “Choose me!” When a group of adults have been asked, everyone suddenly realises something is wrong with their footwear that requires their immediate attention and prolonged diligent visual inspection. I wonder what would…
There were fifteen of us, young men around twenty-seven years old, give or take. The group was a decent reflection of our society at the time, our origins ranging from rural areas to big cities and everything in between. Some of us had been qualified and certified for specific jobs, others had entered the seminary with a so-called “general knowledge…