Remember the Scots: The Alamo and ‘Scotchland’

At a clan gathering, Fiona drinks Lone Star beer, learns about Scotland’s ties to Texas and eats steak bigger than she is

Texas is so big. And Texas is so Scottish. The first thing we spy on landing at San Antonio airport is a poster of Subo.

Catching a glimpse of super-singer Susan Boyle is a tonic at any time but especially so after a red-eye journey to America’s west coast.

We are here for an international clan gathering. There will be lashings of tartan and declarations of brothership. There will also be a banquet where the MacGregor must wow them with stirring Highland words. Although just appearing in a kilt is already making the Yellow Rose of Texas ladies swoon with delight…

The Lone Star state is so named because it was once an independent republic. Interestingly, more than 40% of the original colonists who settled here were of Scottish descent.

So many places are named after Scots. Here are communities called Armstrong and McGregor. Here are towns like Cameron, Kennedy, Walker, Wilson – and Campbell, although the chief says we won’t be going there…

There is even somewhere in Texas called Scotland. They say it’s a city, but with a population of around 500, maybe it’s not that big.

No matter. Folk here have big hearts. They tell us they “just love Scotchland!” – and we do not correct, for fear of damping enthusiasm.

Talking of damp, it has not stopped raining since we arrived – and like everything else in this state, the showers come super-sized.

Soaked pavements are a reminder of home. But we did bring sandals and factor 50 sunscreen.

With temperatures in the late eighties, it makes for a steamy atmosphere. Inside the air-conditioning thunders away – and it is much needed. This is one of the hottest places in the USA and to keep cool we drink Lone Star beer and eat steaks the size of Texas.

Life-sized plastic cows sit outside smoky barbecue joints. Longhorn meat is said to be among the best. We are also told that the first Aberdeen Angus cattle arrived here from Scotland in 1883.

Remember the Alamo? Well, dozens of men of Scots descent fought in the battle at the iconic San Antonio mission. Among them was Davie Crockett and Jim Bowie. And we mustn’t forget John McGregor. He was the piper who, as the Mexicans advanced, spurred them

So many places here are named after Scots

on to death and glory. On that subject, this is a gun state – and you can carry one in the streets. This is cowboy – and girl – country. These were folk who shaped the American frontier. It was the Wild West.

But, disappointingly, we do not see many people wandering round in cowboy hats, which would suit the littlest MacNaughties. For some reason or other, the Norfolk Terrier is very suspicious of men in hats.

Not that the doggies are here, of course. They are back in Scotland, having their own holiday with the horses and the pigs. Do we wish they were here? Not really. For them, Texas is just too big, too hot…

Picture: Getty Images. The Battle of the Alamo in 1836 was a key event in the Texas revolution and saw many men of Scots descent fight against the Mexican army.