Failte!

This site is dedicated to one of my main interests in life: Scotland and all things Scottish. My ancestors, James Hunter, his wife Margaret, and their daughter Jane, set sail on a schooner from Greenock to New Brunswick, Canada, in the month of June, 1846. On September 5, 2002, I took off on an airplane from Boston to Glasgow, accompanied by my brother and his wife. This was a trip of a lifetime, dreamed about for years. We spent ten glorious days touring around the country, and if you care to read about it and see the photos, you can find it here.

On April 6, 1320, the Scottish people addressed a letter to Pope John XXII, enumerating their many grievances against Edward II, the English king, asserting their right to choose their own government, and declaring their independence from England.  Sound vaguely familiar?

This document is called the Arbroath Declaration, as is was written at the abbey in the town of the same name. Clicking the hypertext will bring you to a site with the full text--check out the similarities in substance between it and the Declaration of Independence. Without question, Thomas Jefferson was acquainted with the Arbroath Declaration, as several of his tutors  were Scots.

The Congress of the United States, as well as the Legislature of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have, in recognition of the many contributions people of Scottish descent have made to all facets of life, declared that April 6 of each year is Tartan Day.  Wear yours proudly!

On April 6, 2002, a Tunes of Glory parade took place in New York City, and I was there with some family members and friends. It was a crisp day, but the atmosphere was warm. Everyone seemed to be having a grand time, enjoying the sight of wave after wave of pipe bands passing by. The bands had traveled from the far reaches of the world--Australia, Japan, Alaska, even Jamaica--to participate in this event. The hope was to have 10,000 pipers, but they fell a little short. The goal was to raise funds for cancer research. Naturally, I took pictures, and here they are.

On May 12, 1999, the first sitting of the newly-elected Scottish Parliament was opened by Dr. Winnie Ewing with these words, "I have the opportunity to make a short speech and I want to begin with the words that I have always wanted to say or to hear someone else say: The Scottish Parliament, which adjourned on 25 March 1707, is hereby re-convened."

On July 1, 1999, the first Scottish Parliament in almost 300 years was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, giving that body full legislative powers. It's a step in the right direction, I'd say.

The Scottish Parliament website is very informative as well as having many nice photos of those heady days. I encourage you to visit it.

hosted by

Some of the Celtic artwork on this site is courtesy of

special thanks to TKS Darlin'! :-)

Designed and maintained by Wendy
Contents © Wendy L. Dunphy

Last Updated July 30, 2003