Scotland to NZ via East Africa
In January 2006 I visited Glasgow for the annual Gift Fair and was full of enthusiasm about tartans and yes, all things Scottish. When you live on the ‘other side of the world’ it is sometimes difficult to stay focused on owning a traditional Scottish Shop. New Zealand is such a long way from my suppliers this is a fact that my customers have trouble understanding, especially when certain stock levels are getting low. I find the Gift Fairs extremely motivating and I can go home full of new ideas and new products.
On my journey home from Scotland I had my dream holiday which was a visit to Kenya and Tanzania. I was in several Maasai villages in 2006 and was stunned to see tartan like clothing and many of the warriors even wear them in the Scottish style of a breacan feile. Sometimes it is simply a blanket thrown around the shoulders. On several occasions I got involved in discussions with Maasai tribesmen trying to discover where the patterns came from but really I never found anyone that actually knew. They were always telling me that “other families make them.”
I found a shuka that was so similar to a Wallace tartan that I just had to buy it! There was lots of bargaining for the purchase and I never quite got over the feeling that I had paid far too much for it. But then, that is the way of life in Africa. This blanket now has pride of place as a cover on my dining table and many a time I have had a visitor telling me that I am taking the Scottish theme too far! Not at all, I can say, it is actually a Maasi blanket.
Something new for The Scottish Shop - Cowhide handbags
Made in New Zealand. Beautiful cow hide and leather handbags to match your man's sporran.
Recipe of the month
Cullen Skink Soup
A delicious fish soup1 onion, sliced or chopped
3 or 4 crushed peppercorns
Butter
Water
1 medium Finnan haddie (salted smoked haddock)
NZ substitute – cod or kahawai
500g potatoes
600ml milk
Salt & pepper
Fry the onions with some butter and the peppercorns. Add the fish, cover with water and cook until the skin becomes loose enough to remove. Remove the skin and break the fish into flakes, removing the fish bones as you do this. Put the haddock aside and return the skin and bones to the pan and simmer for about an hour to make a stock.
Boil and mash the potatoes. Strain the fish stock, add to a large pan and simmer with the milk. Add as much potato as you like, depending on whether you prefer thick or thin soup. Add the flaked fish. Season with salt and pepper and perhaps some butter.
Thanks to Maw Broon's cookbook
New Flags - FIFA Under 20 World Cup. Flag shop
FIFA U-20 World Cup Trophy
The 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup will be the twentieth edition of the U-20 World Cup since its inception in 1977 as the FIFA World Youth Championship. The competition will take place for the first time in New Zealand, the third time on Oceanian soil after Australia staged the 1981 and 1993 editions. A total of 52 matches will be played in seven host cities.
New flags now available.
A touch of Wales
Just arrived from Wales. New stock of Welsh ties, scarves and aprons. Check out the Welsh section of the website and shop for that inspirational gift for that special person in your life. Great Christmas gifts
Recipe of the month
BEEF AND BLUE CHEESE
Beef and blue cheese make the perfect combination. Ideally use the Scottish blues. But, I can imagine it also with a nice New Zealand variety.
4 lean beef steaks 4 ozs blue cheese
2 tablespoons vegetable oil 4 tablespoons soft cream cheese
1 red onion, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons made English mustard
Heat the oil in a pan and fry the steaks to the desired degree. Remove from the pan, transfer to a serving dish and keep hot. Fry the sliced red onion until soft but not brown. Stir in the cheeses, milk and mustard and cook gently until thoroughly melted and heated through. Serve the steaks with the sauce poured over, together with new potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Serves 4.
These little recipe books are available in many titles. Check out the book selection on this website. Only $8.00 each
A short story about tartan
It should be understood from the outset that a person may wear any tartan of his or her choice – the exceptions being personal tartans, tartans restricted by copyright or trademark, and those reserved for members of the Royal Family. The term “suggested tartan” is exactly what it says, a tartan suggested for a person with a given surname. It does not imply that persons may not choose another tartan if they so wish.
Some clans and families encourage friends and admirers to adopt and wear their tartan. It is an old Highland custom to so honour your host. Other families wish their tartan to be worn only by person bearing or related to a specific name or spelling. In example, the Fleming family wear the Murray tartan in recognition of a long friendship between the two families while other clans and families may prefer that their tartan be worn only by those bearing the name or associated by marriage.
Persons wishing to establish clan or family relationships should contact the clan, preferably through the Clan or Family Society rather than directly to the Chief. One is always best advised to select a tartan associated with their own surname before choosing a tartan associated with a paternal name. Both are preferable to selecting a surname acquired by marriage or through a maternal ancestor.
Hot arrival - World Pipe Band Championship 2013 DVD & CD
Simon Fraser University – P/M Terry Lee:
1. MSR:The Balmoral Highlanders /Bogan Lochan /Pretty Marion.
2. Medley:Cosmos Cascade /The Snuff Wife / The Atholl Highlanders /The Braes of Lochiel /Munlochy Bridge /The Top of Craigvenow /Mrs MacLeod of Raasay /The Braes of Lochiel (Reprise) /Mrs MacLeod of Raasay(Reprise).
Inveraray & District - P/M Stuart Liddell:
3. MSR:Pipe Major J McWilliams /Bob of Fettercairn /MacAllister’s Dirk.
4. Medley:Helen Black of Inveran /The Strathspey King /The Devil in the Kitchen(Strath) /The Devil in the Kitchen(Reel) /Willie Murray’s Reel /Grim King of the Ghosts /Bronni’s Blue Brozzi / Dunrovin Farm.
Field Marshal Montgomery - P/M Richard Parkes MBE:
5. MSR:Balmoral Highlanders /John Roy Stewart /Charlie’s Welcome.
6. Medley: Rowd’s Hornpipe /The High Drive Jig / The Pipers Bonnet /Sine Bhan (Fair Jean)/ Rodney Hull QC/ Lachine Rapids /Willie MacKenzies Reel /Smelling Fresh /Pipe Major George Allen.
St Laurence O’Toole - Eire - P/M Terry Tully:
7. MSR: The MacNeill’s March /Atholl Cummers /Mrs McPherson of Inveran.
8. Medley:The Garb of Old Gaul /The Lark in the Morning /Angus John MacNeill of Barra / Tommy Tully’s Air /Miss Lilly /Stumpie /Steve Byrne’s.
Canterbury Caledonian Society – New Zealand - P/M Richard Hawke:
9. MSR:The Clan Macrae Society /Blair Drummond /John Morrison of Assynt House.
10. Medley:Chief Grey Feather /Friar’s Britches /Little Cascade Jig /Lauren’s Melody / Miss Drummond of Perth /The Fiddler /Plagiarist /Boarderline Reel/ Fleming First 4.
Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia - P/M Ryan Canning:
11. MSR: The Highland Wedding /Susan MacLeod /John Morrison of Assynt House>
12. Medley: The Siege of Dubrovnick /Carnage Drive /Megan’s Lullaby /Lady Madelina Sinclair /Duncan Lamont /The Weasel’s Cage /Philip Greer’s Big Week /Bessie McIntyre