England & Scotland Home Page

England & Scotland
July, 2001

My father, Willaim D. Allan, was born in Lochwinnoch, Scotland in 1902 and emigrated to the United States in 1922. After World War II, he sponsored several of his brothers and sisters, as they emigrated to the USA. I grew up in this hybrid environment, myself a first generation American amid family gatherings that involved the "old country," its culture, songs, and traditions.

    In my adult live, I found myself longing to visit my ancestral homeland. I recall seeing a magazine advertisment that asked, "wouldn't you love to walk the streets where your grandfather walked?" and at that moment, I became aware of the affinity I felt for my father's homeland.
    In 1980, I had a brief opportunity to visit Scotland following a business trip to England, and while rewarding, the time was too brief. This time, I would have six days, but in hindsite, that too was too brief - but entirely enjoyable.
    Before starting, a bit of information regarding the United Kingdom. The UK consists of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The Republic of Ireland, which occupies most of that island, is not part of the United Kingdom. The flag of the United Kingdom, shown above and below left, is blue with the red cross of Saint George -- patron saint of England -- edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick -- patron saint of Ireland -- which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew -- patron saint of Scotland. The flag is known as the Union Flag or Union Jack.

Flag of theUnited Kingdom

Flag of St. George
Patron Saint of England

Flag of St. Patrick
Patron Saint of Ireland

Flag of Saint Andrew
Patron Saint of Scotland

One more thought - let me share with you the words of Winston Churchill, who once referred to the British and Americans as two great peoples separated by a common language. So, as a social service, whenever I use a local phrase or expression, I'll make it a link that you can click on for the meaning. I think you'll find some of them interesting and perhaps, humorous.
So, if you're ready, please join me on my travels through England and Scotland.

England

Scotland

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