WE’VE GOT MAIL
A selection of messages from our readers across the globe
RAIL ADVENTURE
Your article ‘Making Tracks’ (Issue 118) is, in a word, fabulous! In 2019 I planned a trip beginning in Edinburgh, going west via train to Mallaig then by bus to Oban then by train to Glasgow. I spent several days in each with various side trips and can hardly wait for my return visit. Your article brought back so many wonderful memories and I am grateful.
Sandra Bennett, Virginia
MUSICAL MEMORIAL
Another great issue. I was particularly struck by the article ‘MacRobert’s Reply’ (Issue 118). In 1944, Pipe Major Willie Ross (ex-Scots Guards and long-time director/instructor at the Army School of Piping at Edinburgh Castle) composed a slow march titled ‘Flight of the Eaglets’ and subtitled ‘MacRobert’s Lament’ in memory of Lady MacRobert’s three sons. The tune was published in Ross’s fourth book of tunes and in the first book of the Scots Guards Collection of bagpipe tunes. Paul Hinson, via email
FLIGHTS OF IMAGINATION
I’m what’s called a newbie to your amazing magazine. I treated myself to it this weekend and have been not only totally absorbed, but thrilled with it. My car has gone on the blink and I can’t go adventuring at the moment, so I’m travelling via your magazine.
I don’t think you can beat one’s own imagination to travel far and wide.
I’m currently living in South Lanarkshire, which I love because it’s so rural and full of cattle and sheep. However, I’d dearly like to make it up to Inverness sometime, which is where my mother was born. My father was born in Edinburgh, which is much closer. I have very happy memories when, on the odd occasion, my folks disagreed, my mother would say to my father: “You’re a mere lowlander!”
I’m a writer and an historian and I know that your magazine is right up my street.
Alex Macpherson, via email
STORIED SEAS
A transferee from Scottish Life, I found the November 2021 issue (118) of Scotland in the mail accumulated from my month in Scotland. Yes, you can go there now! I appreciated ‘Under Attack’. I’ve visited Orkney a couple of times and St Magnus Cathedral to see the memorial and I’ve seen the book listing the crew who perished in the submarine attack on that fateful night. There’s also a submarine story in Dundee as well. I discovered some years ago the little publicised Submarine Memorial at the harbour. It’s a memorial to the 296 sailors and commandos lost on operations from the Dundee base during the Second World War.
The 9th Submarine Flotilla was a unique international group that included crews from Poland, the Netherlands, France and Norway, in addition to Britain.
Keep up the great work.
Don Ukens, Oklahoma