Samuel de Champlain, the famed French explorer and founder of Quebec, reveals surprising Scottish roots through his mother’s lineage tied to the Frasers of Murihead, blending transatlantic history and Highland heritage.
Continue reading →Scottish Contribution Recently, we at Scotiana had the pleasure of assisting Robert Hunt, a dedicated member of the Letter Box Study Group, who reached out to us with a request as he shared his working on an article that explores British post boxes in twin towns across France and Germany, focusing on how these iconic symbols of communication have been … Continue reading →
24 April 2019… I will never forget what two Australian ladies, or should I say “pilgrims” for these friendly ladies were actually visiting the country of their ancestors, emphatically told us one morning, as we were sharing one of the best Scottish breakfasts we’ve ever had, in one of our favourite B&Bs situated near Scone Palace : “How we envy … Continue reading →
THE QUEBEC THISTLE COMMITTEE AULD ALLIANCE AWARDS CEREMONY In just a few days will take place in Montréal, at the Officer’s Mess of the Black Watch (RHR) of Canada, the annual event presented by the Quebec Thistle Committee to winners in several categories including Scottish music, cuisine, culture, athlete of the year, country and highland dancing, piping and “Scotsman / … Continue reading →
Dear readers, I’m very happy to be back again on Scotiana after celebrating New Year Day in Berry, France, not far from Aubigny-sur-Nère, a favourite place of us not only because it is a very picturesque town with its half-timbered old houses but also because of its historical links with Scotland. Situated in the valley of the river Nère some … Continue reading →
(Flodden Monument in the distance – Wikimedia) Five hundred years have passed since that fateful day of 9 September 1513 when James IV, the beloved King of Scotland fell at Flodden Field, at the age of 40, with so many of his valorous friends and followers… My knowledge in history being rather limited I try to find in books … Continue reading →
Hi everybody, My doctor is not at all an “odious little man” like Charles Tansley in To the Lighthouse (my favourite book by Virginia Woolf)… he is on the contrary a very kind and competent gentleman but the verdict fell on me as an icy shower : “No bagpipes for you this week-end, I’m afraid”. How frustrating, … Continue reading →
As it has been the case for twenty-two years now, the Scottish-French festivities are going to take place in Aubigny-sur Nère on the 14th of July. The whole town will again resound cheerfully with music, cries of joy, and the clatter of horses’ hooves as if to awaken from their long sleep the French and Scottish ghosts of our … Continue reading →
Hi everybody ! We’ve taken this photo at a crossroads on arriving at Aubigny-sur-Nère. Isn’t the bagpipe looking like some big greedy insect ready to plunge into the flowers to gather its lot of pollen! We’ve already introduced ‘Aubigny-sur-Nère‘ on Scotiana. Together with a vast area around the town, including Concressault and Oizon, it remained Scottish … Continue reading →
. If you love Scotland, you will certainly also love this part of France, in Berry, where, a long long time ago the Scots came to our rescue to save our country before settling there… many inhabitants can claim Scottish roots in the area and they seem to be very happy about that… After visiting Aubigny-sur Nère, the very picturesque … Continue reading →
In the heart of France, on the borders of romantic Sologne and Berry, the flowered little town of Aubigny-sur-Nère, with its old church and picturesque half-timbered houses, boasts a rich Scottish heritage on the ‘Route Jacques Coeur’. So don’t be surprised if, on entering the town, as mentioned in my first post about Aubigny, you’re welcomed by a big wrought … Continue reading →
. A Scottish piper welcomes the visitor at the entry of the town… Pieces of tartan stretched like sails within bamboo frames flap in the wind … hunting and royal Stuart tartans… On a charming little square, a yellow-harled house, which would not look out of place in Culross, proudly stands across the street, while a Stuart tartan sign invites … Continue reading →
