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Robin Laign's beautiful song "A Nation's Heart" is the selected RealAudio track from Scottish Radiance's CD of the Month. It's beautiful words, "Listen to the heart, beating strong and true, The rhythm of the past with the promise of the new", started me thinking about Scotland in the next millennium.
James Hunter's book "Last of the Free" had been begun my thinking about Scotland's future. James Hunter projects that Scotland's success depends on the country tapping into its resources from the past. The culture that has been its strength since the beginning of recorded history is impressive. Some people tend to think only of the romantic Scotland that is symbolized by Brigadoon, heroes like William Wallace and talk of castles. These are definitely a part of this wonderful country. But, Scotland is much more than romantic stories. We must remember it is a real place with people struggling to make their way especially as a new millennium dawns.Scotland's heart is its people. People molded into a foundation consistent with their complicated and often misunderstood past. The past often ended in disappointment instead of the romantic tales people love to read. The Scots because of this often-bitter past are fighters. They know how to uncover ways around obstacles. They know how to pick themselves up when the world knocks them down. Two specific examples I would like to mention The first, James Hunter touched on in his book. The Shetland Islands have been expanding their knitting industry making other parts of the world a successful market place for their beautiful sweaters. The Fair Isle designs are popular the world over. It is not uncommon as James Hunter points out to find Shetland knit wear for sale. My addition to Scotland using their resources from the past to go charging into 2000 is related to the music of Scotland. Immediately people think of bagpipes when Scotland's music is mentioned. Bagpipes are wonderful and can give you chills. A new type of music is coming from Scotland and the world is embracing it with open arms. People like Capercaillie, Moira Kerr, Blair Douglas, Ian Green (guiding light of Greentrax Recordings) and Aly Bain, are leaders in this effort. Not just ancient or traditional songs but new songs, which ring of a strong and modern Scotland are being played. Maybe we at Scottish Radiance know this better than most. We sell CDs and have people listens to our RealAudio music selections from almost every nation. Millions of people visit Scottish Radiance and listen to the songs we have provided.
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Irish people always feel an affinity with the Scottish - we also pick ourselves up after knocks and we've had many of them!
Have enjoyed your articles. Sorry to hear you will not be contributing agai ...
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Such a disappointment to hear this is your last column. I subscribe and enjoy it every time. I was just ready to ask a research question too. Can you tell me where I can find the lyrics and any his ...
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