Life's a Journey

In In Search of Hunky Scots, I wrote that I was snubbed by Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, when he gave my companions Homecoming Scotland pins but did not give one to me.

We were waiting for the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from the Isle of Skye to the Isle of Lewis.  Dale had gone searching for something important, like a place to cash travelers checks or to buy a bottle of really good scotch, while I had gone teapot hunting for Sara Jean.  I found the teapot.  Dale found Alex Salmond.

Alex Salmond and his entourage were taking the ferry to Lewis as well, and he seemed happy to find tourists who had come to Scotland for The Gathering, and who subsequently were spending our puny American dollars on scotch and teapots.  He was so happy, he gave Dale a couple of lapel pins and a Homecoming Scotland ink pen.

Dale brought him out to the van where Sara Jean was waiting patiently in her wheelchair.  I was trying to be inconspicuous, as this little pottery venture was close on the heels of the Mull Pottery visit.  Dale was still a little miffed that we left him bleeding while we shopped.  Unreasonable man.  Alex Salmond smiled and shook our hands, then chatted a while with Sara Jean.  I took the opportunity that little distraction afforded to sneak off and finish my transaction.

The pin in question was a lapel pin with the Homecoming Scotland logo. You can see the logo on the Homecoming Scotland website. I collected several pins on our trip — one from the Callanish stones, one from Stirling Castle, one from The Gathering, and several flag pins — all of which I wore proudly, announcing to one and all that I was a tourist before I even opened my mouth. (A few Scots said they loved my accent. Accent? What accent?  Floridians don’t have accents.)

Anyway, the “snub,” which in fairness really wasn’t, became a running joke throughout the trip. But Dale with his heart of gold really felt bad that I didn’t get a Homecoming Scotland pin, so he contacted the office of The Right Honourable Alex Salmond, MSP, MP.  (I am not really sure what the letters stand for, but they look really important.)

Dale didn’t actually talk to Alex Salmond, but he did talk to Michael Birrell, Information and Office Manager for the First Minister of Scotland.   (Alex Salmond was apparently too busy with petty concerns like running a country to deal with a crisis like a pitiable, pinless tourist.)    So Dale explained my plight, and Mr. Birrell assured him he would rectify the situation.

Now Floridians may not have accents, but Dale is from Texas, and well… ’nuff said.  A package arrived a short week later, containing a lovely Homecoming Scotland ink pen, not a Homecoming Scotland lapel pin.  It also included a nice publication on the future of Scotland which Dale had requested.  Personally, I think Dale would like to run for office in Scotland, but they have these petty rules against Texans living in Florida running their country.  They really are an unreasonable race, the Scots.

What better prize for a writer than a Homecoming Scotland pen?  I don’t know if he is a hunky Scot, but Michael Birrell is a right honourable guy in my book.  And Alex Salmond, if you are reading this, I thank you.  Now get back to work running your beautiful country.