Amy MacBeath

Many of you will recognise the stereotypes those of us who come from the great unknown north, otherwise known as the Highlands of Scotland, are used to. 

Believe it or not, these days (my great granny didn’t!) we do have electricity, we do have running water and shops and most of us have internet…these islanders haven’t all managed to catch up yet.  

However - we don’t run around the battlefields anymore (I have only been to Culloden about 6 times and I can assure you, I walked..slowly..the bogs are scary looking places), the men in kilts with the red manes flowing…it’s just not practical in the modern climate.  And yes, there may be sheep (no further comments are necessary on that part of the stereotype) and many of us may have a slight knowledge of farming despite the fact we live in a city - that’s just part of our charming culture.       

I, as you know, do not speak Gaelic, am not a red head (close one though!), do come from a civilisation where people have phones and shop in Tesco (Inverness is also commonly known as Tesco Town for those of you who always wanted to know that) but I still do consider myself very much a Highlander and would have been a proud jacobite back in 1746 (I’m aware I am missing a Y chromosome but you get the point). 

My favourite bar may be called Hootananys where they play some good old ceilidh music (Phil and Ally and Wolfstone members visit regularly) and old men dram into the wee hours…

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On sunny days we do go to Loch Ness but not to say hi to Nessie but cos the Dores Inn serves a good pint!

So people may joke but at the end of the day we are the ones living the ‘high life’…(it is a Friday afternoon give me a break!)

Off to get my granny off a bus now (quite literally) but I hope that next time you meet one of us you will be able to appreciate the fine, cultured being that is a Highlander!

Tìoraidh!