And Now....The End Is Near

Well, our whirlwind trip is almost at an end. One day to go. After a week in New York, Morag and I are big fans of the Big Apple. Morag and Chuck are falling in love with each other….and I am head over heels about New Yorkers.

Ground Zero
Yesterday started on a poignant note at the Scotland within the British Memorial Garden concert featuring the aforementioned adorable Laura McGhee. The garden was set up to commemorate those for the UK who died during 9/11. After the reception, I headed down to Ground Zero. The silence there was deafening….it is a very emotive place. Here is a pic of their plans for the site.

Afterwards we headed down to Wall Street, the heart of New York’s financial district. Scotland has a very strong financial sector too. Edinburgh in particular has always been a leader in the financial world, with the Bank of Scotland dating back to 1695. As one of the leading financial capitals, Edinburgh is a hotbed of innovation with great insurance and investment companies.


On The Rocks
The evening got off to a good start with Whisky Live. This is an event where all the largest whisky makers come together under one roof and give out free samples of their produce. Awful I know. It would have been rude not to sample in the delights but as we had to go to see Scotland Rocks New York, our sampling time was limited. It was great to see how whisky is now being seen in a more a modern light. I know that in countries like China, it is seen as the trendy drink to be seen in your hand. Expos like last night can only help to push that image.

Scotland Rocks New York concert was absolutely brilliant. The sold out concert literally rocked with 650 young New Yorkers. The opening act was a local New York gal, Nicole Atkins (pictured here). It is always a daunting gig to be the first on stage…but with her sassy New York charm, she went down a storm. Look out for her debut album out in the summer. (http://www.nicoleatkins.com/) My favourite band on the night has to be the 1990’s. Fast, furious guitars, funny, down to earth…with everyone in the 3 piece taking a turn at singing. Their debut single has just come out and if they don’t become absolutely humongously huge, I will eat my saltire beanie hat! (www.1990s.tv). Headliners Sons and Daughters did not let the Scottish side down. Great show.

Last night belonged to the youth of New York who loved the Scottish bands. Stirling, one of our own Scottish cities is known as the City of Youth. Student representatives sit on Stirling Council’s Childrens Committee to ensure young people’s views shape decision making. Stirling has a great history too featuring legends such as Robert the Bruce and William Wallace. Robert Burns was also a fan. “Just now, by Stirling Castle, I have seen by the setting sun the glorious aspect of the windings of the Forth through the rich carse of Stirling.” (Carse is the Scots word for land beside the river).

Morag and Chuck
As tonight is their last night together, Morag and Chuck are going to Statue of Liberty and then dining in fine style in Soho. I know Morag is going to find it hard to pull away tomorrow but I’m sure they will keep in touch. They have so much in common. Morag is passionate about the earth and Chuck is very much involved in his local green action group to help reduce carbon emissions. Morag likes the New York accent. Chuck loves the Scottish accent. Morag likes The 1990’s. So does Chuck. They both love long drives and Scooby Doo. Tonight as a special surprise Chuck is going to wear a kilt, although he is slightly worried about leaving his bonnet exposed.

Signing off for now.

Yours aye,

Tam