An interesting read Moss, if a bit rambling (am recovering from the lurgy at present, so have more time to read). To me it seems the cairn was constructed with the best of intentions but the borderlands have been contentious for centuries. I have good friend who after coming into an inheritance has recently bought a clay-walled longhouse near Carlisle. She did this to reconnect with her parents extended family who come from the 'debatable lands'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debatable_Lands
I noticed when we met up recently (she still has a home nearby) she seemed a bit fiercer than previously.
As Jo Cox's husband said on the news this morning - Jo would have wanted us as a country to look at the things that unite us, not divide us. I think our ancient heritage, whether it be on Orkney or in Cornwall is one of the things that unites us. And should Scotland ever break free of the UK politically we will still be the British Isles. No-one can change that.
I didn't know husband's of former "No Campaign" MP's were sources of wisdom on "Unity and Division" or even on referendums which neither that husband or wife had a vote in, let alone a say in. There are many, many things which divide us in Scotland from those in other countries which are part of the Union. To begin with "we" - whatever that means in the quote above - are not "a country". The inhabitants of the three countries (England, Wales and Scotland) and the six counties of Northern Ireland are equal participants in a Union. The Union was a political and economic maneouvre over three hundred years ago which many feel has run its course in these more enlightened times. "Our" (whatever that means) "ancient heritage" does not unite us. It consists of mostly forgotten stumps of stone, panels of RA or collapsed tombs with no money for consolidation or preservation. It is pathetic to try and imbue such unique and individual monuments with some unifying political 21st Century Liberal agenda. Yuk!
The last two sentences in the quote above show where some of the problem lies. Weird dramatic language ("break free"!) and skewed perceptions of the status of the equal partners in the Union. When Scotland decides to let the "lame duck" (a Thatcher term) of England face the future on its own two feet (maybe leaning on its wee pal Wales and some Ulstermen) then maybe the inhabitants of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and even England will all feel more unified and equal.
Scotland doesn't need to "break free"(if "ever" it "should")... Scotland just needs to vote for Independence and end the charade, or get on with the status quo. It is an issue for Scotland as a whole nation. England doesn't have a say - however much it wants the last word.
I didn't know husband's of former "No Campaign" MP's were sources of wisdom on "Unity and Division" or even on referendums which neither that husband or wife had a vote in, let alone a say in. There are many, many things which divide us in Scotland from those in other countries which are part of the Union. To begin with "we" - whatever that means in the quote above - are not "a country". The inhabitants of the three countries (England, Wales and Scotland) and the six counties of Northern Ireland are equal participants in a Union. The Union was a political and economic maneouvre over three hundred years ago which many feel has run its course in these more enlightened times. "Our" (whatever that means) "ancient heritage" does not unite us. It consists of mostly forgotten stumps of stone, panels of RA or collapsed tombs with no money for consolidation or preservation. It is pathetic to try and imbue such unique and individual monuments with some unifying political 21st Century Liberal agenda. Yuk!
The last two sentences in the quote above show where some of the problem lies. Weird dramatic language ("break free"!) and skewed perceptions of the status of the equal partners in the Union. When Scotland decides to let the "lame duck" (a Thatcher term) of England face the future on its own two feet (maybe leaning on its wee pal Wales and some Ulstermen) then maybe the inhabitants of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and even England will all feel more unified and equal.
Scotland doesn't need to "break free"(if "ever" it "should")... Scotland just needs to vote for Independence and end the charade, or get on with the status quo. It is an issue for Scotland as a whole nation. England doesn't have a say - however much it wants the last word.