Tour Scotland Web Site Comments

Thanks to all those folks who sent e-mails commenting on my web site. If you have ideas for this site, please e-mail me. Sandy Stevenson

Hi from Jay in fife. have had a great interest in local jargon and the meanings of various words, as a visually impaired user of the internet many of us use screen readers to navigate the internet, and many of the sites are pretty difficult to get round but this one is ace in other words I would give it 11 out of 10. Keep the good work up. Jay Jackson.

What a lovely site. There is certainly not enough Scottishness on the net. Well done. Norma.

Dear Sandy, Because of the wonderful time Sally, Greg, Debbie and I spent with you last September, we still
have not fully "re-entered" our realities here at home. Our hearts really are in the Highlands! We faithfully attend all of the activities of the Scottish Association here; we listen to Scottish music; we recite Robby Burns poetry; and I have devoured all of the Rankin series and I am eagerly awaiting the next Rebus.

I am really impressed by this site and I am hoping to use some of the recipes in a fun Scottish themed meal soon (so my husband can show off his single malts). I need a green vegetable or salad to go with the first course of salmon- the second course is lamb with rumbledthumps and scottish bread. The starter is my aspargus and leek creamed soup.

Hi sandy i just read your history re the robertsons so interesting my grandfather was alexander robertson came here with his parents from scotland as a young boy with the family to australia . their are quite afew of us living in australia now decendants but although my father was named alexander after his grandfather the name has not been passed on & its a pity. we live in tweed head .nsw. I would like to thank you for all that information yours truly thelma& john hogan

Hello there, I have just visited your side for Quotes from famous Scots and really enjoyed it. Thanks Carole.

Hi Sandy, I wanted to take a moment to say "thank you" for your wonderfully informative site on one of my favorite subjects. As another one of those American's with a lot of Scots roots, I've always been fascinated with anything Scottish.

When I decided to become a writer almost 20 years ago, I chose to write Historical Romances because of my love for history, especially Scots history. Being from Texas, I understand that we Texans have a lot of pride because of our rich history and the long struggle to win our freedom from the many flags that flew over our great state. I have the same feeling about Scotland. It is so rich with history, and similar struggle, although one that came at a much greater cost, and went on for centuries instead of years.

I found your site tonight when I was supposed to be writing, but after having coffee with two friends this morning, and discussing my next book, set in Scotland, of course, I was surprised to find how little they knew about it. They were both amazed and very interested when I told them how there were so many "Great Scots" who made outstanding contributions to mankind, as well as the making of America and Canada.

When I returned home, I compiled my own list of great Scots, then hopped on the internet to find more. And voila! Your site gave me so much more than I was looking for. Now, when my friends and I meet for coffee next week, I shall give each of them a little booklet on "Things Scottish". So again, "thank you" for all the time you put into making your site what it is. I know there are lots of those who feel as appreciative as I do. As the wife of one of America's most famous presidents said,
"Beautiful, glorious Scotland, has spoilt me for every other country!"

Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-82) First Lady of the U.S. Letter, 21 August 1869 She was the wife of Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), 16th President of the United States
Elaine Coffman

Hi, I'm a belgian doctor... last three weeks I worked in Elgin and I thought the nurses on A&E used a lot of very funny sayings... there was this patient who looked as pale as a sheep... another wanted to pull the wool over my eyes... and another wasn't the sharpest tool in the box.... very funny... ciao, PS: thanks for your website... I enjoyed it.

Dear Sandy, I have just spent the day looking through the pictures paintings and photographs on your web site. I started researching my ancestry and it was no surprise to find my ancestral roots are in Scotland for even though I ve never been there in my heart I've always felt a part of me belonged and my ancestral lineage proved me right. I thank you for helping me to visit my (ancestral) homeland maybe this year I'll stand on Scottish soil where once my kin folk walked because of your collection I'm more determined than ever. Incidently my ancestors came from Fifeshire and Perthshire once again many thanks for such pleasure.
ZENA HUTCHINSON (MRS)

Your delightful site provided me with the information I needed to write a story! Your site is a veritable treasure!
Maria Gromova.

Just idly surfing "fish and chip" sites - hungry, I guess - and saw your mention of the shop in Anstruther. During our last visit, my cousin who lives in Dunfermline took the wife and I to Anstruther to the "best fish and chip shop in Fife, and beyond". She sure had that right. All our vaunted American "know-how" has yet to produce a decent plate of fish and chips. Perhaps someday they'll clone the haddock - that would be a start. Nice website with lots of interesting stuff. Cheers, Dave Ronaldson

Here's a web site built by a couple of tour members from last year. I think you will find the site interesting and informative. A Journey Through Scotland.

I just want to say that your homepage is fantastic!!! :oD We´re going to Scotland in two weeks time and at your page we found everything we wanted to know. Thank you and take care.
Sincerely Mrs Ulrika Jarl Olsson Sweden

I use your website all the time as a reference and a weapon in my online debates regarding Scotland and Scottish people, so I think its about time I wrote to congratulate you. You have gathered an immense wealth of accurate and historical information, and you have provided a very worthy resource. Indeed, so great is your contribution I feel you have done more for Scotland's image than "Braveheart" ever could.
Regards, Suzanne

Your site is very nicely done... I have been to the Dunkeld Cathedral a few times and couldn't remember the knight's name laid to rest in the tomb toward the front of the church.... Your site had the information I needed... I travel to Scotland often. Usually stay in Killin, or the Falls of Dochart.... Love to travel to Ben Lawers to get away from the rat race...
Brad Williams Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA

I want to thank you for your collection of Scottish recipes! My friend is Scottish (from Rothesay) and having visited him last November, I bought a small hand book of Scottish recipes to recreate some of the flavors I had tried there. Then, I found your site. Your site is actually much better than the book! This week, I've already made Scotch Eggs (made my own sausage for the coating, too), Scotch Broth, and baps. Tomorrow, I'm making Cock-a-leekie. Anyway, you're collection is really excellent and I just hope you know that someone like me is really enjoying it!....Ann

I just wanted to compliment you on your site. I live in Houston, Texas but have spent time in Stirling and Aberdeen. I believe that you should encourage potential visitors to read a Scottish classic or two before coming to Scotland so they can really understand the depth of history that exists there.
Jerry L. Hallam

I found your Fife web-site and was greatly impressed by it ,I am a Fifer living in Fort Worth Texas and have been here for many years but it is true when they say " you can take the man out off Scotland but you can't take Scotland out off the man " I was born in the high Street of West Anster & my family lived there from 1930 to 1969, we manage back every 2 years but the place has changed a WEE bit, so it is good to read your web-site on the place as it was !! Thank you for taking the time to do the site. PS My class at Waid in 1956 are having a reunion in May of next year & I am looking forward to it. PPS I don't miss your weather !!!!!
Best Regards Bert Gibbon

I just found your wonderful website.I too, was born in Buckhaven, then lived in Methilhill (Lime Grove) and went to Methilhill School and Buckhaven High School. A lot of my friends and neighbors worked in the Wellesley pits. Your site brings back some wonderful memories and I just wanted to share that with you. My dad was a butcher for East Fife Co-op. He used to have a store right on the main street in downtown Methil. Before that he had a van and used to deliver to people's houses. My Mum used to work for the farm there in Methilhill. I have fond memories of getting picked up in the wagon to go potato picking in the summer.

My family left the area just at the time when the pits were getting all worked out and there were not too many jobs to be found. We moved to Watford, Herts., and then I met a US serviceman and moved to Wisconsin.

I am sure that people here would think that we were very poor when I was growing up but nothing can replace my wonderful memories of a simpler time when neighbors dropped in all the time, everybody knew everybody, and you never had to lock your doors.
Thanks, Anne Ihde (nee Whyte)

The layout of the site has a very magical touch to it. I am extremely impressed with the effort you have taken to build this page. It is very informative and extremely well designed and it was great experience browsing through your site, Oliver

I really love your site, spent a whole evening bringing back memories. I was born in Aberfeldy Cottage Hospital in 1955, lived in Pitlochry 'til 5 y.o. , brought up in Broughty Ferry and now live in a wee village near Lanark. My Granny lived in Forfar, and the one that got shoved off the bus lived in Carnoustie - so of course I had to read every one of your pages! I got no housework done at all! What a power of work on your part. Just one wee quibble, my favourite film isn't there, Whisky Galore! Thanks for such an entertaining evening!
best wishes, Fiona

Hi, or should I say, hullo! I use your website all the time as a reference and a weapon in my online debates regarding Scotland and Scottish people, so I think its about time I wrote to congratulate you. You have gathered an immense wealth of accurate and historical information, and you have provided a very worthy resource. Indeed, so great is your contribution I feel you have done more for Scotland's image than "Braveheart" ever could. Yes, I am a real Scot from a place called Bothwell, near Glasgow. I'm very proud of Scotland, she is very dear to me. Though I do note your spelling is American English, so I, wonder if you have moved on? Whatever, you have gifted the internet with a splendid and comprehensive source on Scotland, with references to her heroes, culture, people and even language. Suzanne.

Sandy, Very interesting web site. Very useful indeed. Many thanks Margaret Grieco Professor of Transport and Society Napier University Edinburgh EH10 5BR

Sandy, My name is Tom McMahon, from Ottawa, Canada. My original home is Glasgow, Scotland. The jokes are funny!,

Hello Sandy, Enjoyed yer site made me wee bit homesick, just wanted ye to ken that there are those oot there that appreciate yer work and efforts! Fae one couthy Scot to another, Anne.

You have a terrific web site - I've enjoyed it very much, and found a ton of useful info - thank you! David.I found and enjoyed your site, especially the celtic blessings. My wife, Letha, and I pastor a small house church in retirement, and appreciate new insightful ways of expressing the joy and blessing of life. We were in SW Scotland two years ago, and found the village of Kirkinner, whence my great-grandfather and grandmother came to Elgin, Illinois, in 1855. In the Church of Scotland churchyard we also found the grave marker for the parents of my great grandmother: Jessie McDowall (Charles McDowall and Helen Paterson). We went down to Whithorn, and while touring there looked up McKinnells in the phone book, and phoned a few, but they were all busy milking cows in the late afternoon, so we didn't talk much, and had to get back to our condo in Lake District. We hope to get back there again in 2004 or 2005. My great-grandfather, Peter McKinnell, was a dairy farmer, as were my grandfather, father and myself, until I was called away to Christian ministry. Peter had a brother, James, who emigrated to Australia in the 1850s , and we have been in touch with those long lost cousins by email, which is rather amazing. Again, with appreciation for your site, I am sincerely yours, James McKinnell

This is really a great place for people looking for complete info about this beautiful place. The content of the site has been crafted and presented in a professional manner and the design aspects of the site looks impressive. My compliments to you for designing such a beautiful web site and I am really impressed with your intention to dedicate this site to this aspect of life. There is no better way to show your appreciation to this great place than this site. If there is heaven on this earth then it be should be Scotland. You have crafted the content beautifully and the pictures that you have displayed were very appealing. My compliments to you for designing such a beautiful web site. Life is a journey and it is sad that a majority of mankind is trying to hold back this instinct and settle for lesser things. ! It is great that you have posted this site which will inspire a lot of people to start traveling, Howard.