Favorite family photos of our second year in Scotland

Here's a baker's dozen of my favorite family photos from our second year in Scotland.

Like last year, many of these were selected because of their composition, or colors, or mood, though a couple were just simply cute and I couldn't resist. Unlike last year, I've expanded my subjects beyond just family to include other folks, though that's a bit more apparent in the earlier post of my nearly favorite family photos of our second year in Scotland.

Remember, you can click on the photos to scroll through them in larger size, though you won't get the captions that way.

A couple of the pics below make me giggle. Every time.

A mid-hike break to play in the sand on the island of Inchcailloch, in the middle of Loch Lomond.

The changing of the guard at Athen's Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers involves a lot of high-kicking and theatrical stances. I admit this pose cracks me up. It has a Monty Python-esque quality, especially with those faces.

My niece, Rosalie, in her Burberry rain coat.

Kate and I explored The Lighthouse, by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, in Glasgow. Our friend and fellow expat, Katy, came along, too.

Grampa Bill hefts Jackson during our visit back to North Carolina.

Kate gazing at the Crinan Canal in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.

Caught this shot on my ancient iPhone while skiing in Colorado.

Kate snacked on some digestives and enjoyed the view of the Trossachs in Scotland.

Jackson delves, and then emerges, from a tunnel on the grounds of Pollock House in Glasgow.

Almost a tackle during a rugby sevens match at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Credit for the snapshot goes to Kate during our hike in the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye. This one gives me the giggles.

An impromptu family pic at our B&B on the Isle of Iona, before heading out to explore.

An amazing day on Lunga, part of the Treshnish Isles archipelago. This is one of my all-time favorite family photos.

It took a great deal of deliberation to decide which photos made the cut for this baker's dozen, and which ones were only nearly favorite family photos of our second year in Scotland. Oh, the agony. And now I'm second-guessing one or two.

How'd I do? Did I pick the right ones? Or were some of the nearly favorites better than these?



Here are the nigh on, almost, nearly favorite family pics of our second year in Scotland:


 
 
(Nearly) favorite family photos of our second year in Scotland







Want to see more? Here are the favorites from our first year in Scotland:





Favorite photos of places we visited our first year






(Nearly) favorite photos of places we visited our first year






Favorite family photos of our first year in Scotland






(Nearly) favorite family photos of our first year in Scotland

Any bounce for independence?

Over the past two weeks, sales of haggis skyrocketed as much as 80%. Whisky sales increased 30%. And consumption of the nation's favorite soft drink, Irn Bru, increased by 15%.

My haggis and Irn Bru lunch from several weeks ago.

All this, of course, because Glasgow was hosting the Commonwealth Games. Team Scotland captured its highest number of medals ever (53), ranking in fifth place. Scotland has been on display across the Commonwealth nations. The weather was exceedingly good (for Scotland). Games-related tourism has boosted the local economy. Scottish pride naturally has been exercised as the nation competed against the other Commonwealth countries, most especially the auld enemy, England.

As the games drew to a close on Sunday, the question vexing the politicians is whether the Games will provide much of a bump in the polls for Scottish independence.

The short answer is no.

At least, not much.

I've written previously about Scotland's upcoming September 18 referendum, asking a single yes/no question: Should Scotland be an independent country? Polls have shown a consistent lead for the "no" vote, though that lead has dipped a little bit over the past several months. Most voters seem to be basing their decision on economics, or how they think the economics will turn out, a point on which the "no" campaign has played hardball quite effectively.

Current polls show the "no" vote in the lead with roughly 46 to 48 percent of the vote. The "yes vote garners 39 or 40 percent. That leaves approximately 12 to 14 percent of the vote undecided.

No one was naive enough to think the Commonwealth Games would provide a major boost in the polls, or even necessarily a bump that could be traced to it. But the Games have provided an economic boost, not to mention the hundreds of millions of pounds for construction and infrastructure improvements preceding the event. Glasgow's metropolitan area produces about one-sixth of Scotland's economy. The Games have increased pride and patriotism and confidence. And they come amidst a slightly brightening economic forecast generally, as well as other upcoming events like the Edinburgh Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Ryder Cup, the World Pipe Band Championships, and so on.

Scottish pride.

Moreover, the "yes" vote is receiving a tiny uptick. Undecided voters have been asked whether the Games will have any impact on their vote. Of those undecided voters, 14% said the Games have made them more likely to vote "yes," while only 4% say it has made them more likely to vote "no."

That tiny uptick from undecided voters, however, isn't about to sway the tide.

I think it's still a little early to see a Commonwealth Games boost. Pollsters may be jumping the gun on trying to get a read on the populace's psyche. It takes a while -- certainly more than a day or two -- for renewed confidence (if any) to be expressed on political questions. These kinds of events can have a lasting halo effect. Two years on, Brits wax proudly about the 2012 London Olympics as a showcase for the nation.

The pollsters are trying to measure the Games now, though, because tonight will showcase a major television debate between the leader of the "yes" movement, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, and the chair of the "Better Together" campaign for "no," Labour MP Alistair Darling. If the pollsters see a swing in their polls after tonight, they'll likely (and possibly correctly) attribute the swing to tonight's debate.

Scottish nationalists are hoping Salmond, their fiery and witty leader, will shine in the debate tonight and move the polls. Those against independence don't need much from Alistair Darling, only that he neither embarrass himself nor provide anything incendiary for the opposition.

The major political parties -- Tories, Lib Dems, and Labour -- are all united against Scottish independence. Although they've consistently led in the polls, they're leaving no stone unturned. Just today, they announced that if Scotland votes "no" on independence, it'll be granted a new devolution of powers. Assuming Scotland remains part of the United Kingdom, it will receive increased powers of taxation and more control over some social security programs.

Whither Scotland? (Photo courtesy of the BBC.)

The independence referendum is just over six weeks away. Will the "yes" vote get a bounce this week? We'll know soon.

A peek at our Commonwealth Games experience

Our week has been dominated by the Commonwealth Games. We spent much of last Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday attending sporting events, while other days we've watched bits and pieces on television.

Last week, I provided some background on the Games. Here are a few snippets of our week:

Huge crowds set a world record for attendance at a rugby sevens competition. The popularity of rugby sevens at multiple Commonwealth Games has prompted the Olympics to include rugby sevens for the first time in 2016.

I was happy to get a chance to see Ibrox Stadium, home of the Rangers F.C., one of Glasgow's two famous rival football clubs.

Scotland played New Zealand in one of its group matches. Scotland has never beaten New Zealand in rugby sevens at any level, including this past Saturday.

Since a rugby sevens match is only 15 minutes long, we had twelve matches just in our four hour session. Here, Australia took on Sri Lanka.

On Sunday, we headed out to watch the men's and women's marathons. One of Kate's friends and colleagues, Hayley, was representing Scotland in the women's marathon. Hayley, age 42, now holds the record as the oldest Scot to perform in track and field at a Commonwealth Games. She's a remarkable athlete who has a full-time job as a professor, a toddler son, and trains only when her schedule allows it. A series of injuries, bad luck, and other life events prevented her from competing in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics for the U.K.

Clyde is everywhere in Glasgow.

The lead group of men ran by about half an hour before the women did. An Aussie man took gold over a Kenyan.

We met friends at Pollock Park to watch Hayley. The marathoners run the route twice, so you get to see four passes of the men and women.

A fan of Hayley.

Running by the sign.

On Wednesday we went to a morning session of "athletics" (i.e., track and field). Attending a track and field session is a chance to see a potpourri of events. We saw heats of sprints, middle distance running, hurdles, high jump, long jump, and discus.

Athletics are held in Hampden Park, which is Scotland's national football stadium. When it opened in 1903 it could seat more than 100,000 people, making it the largest capacity in the world. For a Scotland vs. England football match in 1937, it held more than 149,000.

 A preliminary heat of hurdles.

Women

who

jump

long.

I didn't realize folks still jumped without doing the Fosbury flop.

A preliminary heat of the 200 meters.

We've had a great week enjoying the Games. It's likely the biggest sporting event we'll ever experience, unless we somehow happen to live in a city where a future Olympics or World Cup are held; I doubt we'd ever travel a long distance to attend. So it's a once in a lifetime opportunity for us, which we're grateful to have experienced.

Queen Elizabeth II: photobomber

I just can't resist posting this photo. It's from yesterday, the first day of competition at the Commonwealth Games.

Imagine:  You make your national team. You get to represent your nation at the Commonwealth Games. You take a selfie.

And in your selfie is a photobomb.

By the QUEEN. She's smiling.

She knows she's photobombing your photo.

https://twitter.com/_JaydeTaylor/status/492269017215012864/photo/1

2014 Commonwealth Games primer

The biggest sporting event in Scotland's history -- the XX Commonwealth Games -- starts tomorrow in Glasgow. Organizers expect to sell roughly 1 million tickets to 261 sessions of competition. This massive sporting event, held over 11 days of competition, is second only to the 2012 London Olympics in size and scope of sporting event ever held in the United Kingdom.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games logo.

So, what are the Commonwealth Games?

To answer that, you have to understand the Commonwealth of Nations. Originally known as the "British Commonwealth," and then simply "the Commonwealth," it is now a collection of 53 member states across the world which mostly -- but not all -- are former colonies of the United Kingdom. The member nations share cultural and historical ties with the U.K., and generally share English as a common language. In theory, the member states all support and promote geopolitical goals such as democracy and the rule of law.

The flag of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Besides the U.K. itself, some of the other "major" countries in the Commonwealth of Nations include Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa. But there are many small countries, as well, such as Barbados, Fiji, Kiribati, Lesotho, and Papua New Guinea. Moreover, there are British territories and other participating nations, such as the British Virgin Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, and Samoa, as well as the member nations of the U.K.: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

This map courtesy of http://www.mapsofworld.com/commonwealth-games/countries.html.

In total, 71 nations and territories will participate in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Almost one third of the world's population resides in a Commonwealth nation, spanning all continents and approximately one fourth of the world's landmass. Half of the Commonwealth's population of 2.3 billion is under the age of 25, and a quarter of its population is under 5 years of age.

Queen Elizabeth II sits as the Head of the Commonwealth, though each member state is freely associated and can elect to leave. The nations are all equal members. Queen Elizabeth, however, is the constitutional monarch of 16 member nations, including Australia, Belize, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, five other Commonwealth nations have their own monarchs: Brunei, Lesotho, Malaysia, Swaziland, and Tonga.

The Commonwealth Games were first held in 1930 with 400 athletes, though a precursor "Inter-Empire Championship" was held in 1911. The games run every four years, except for 1942 and 1946, due to World War II. Only Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland, and Wales have participated in every Commonwealth Games. Although England was the top medal winner in six games, and Canada the top medal winner in one, Australia has dominated as the top medal winner in 12 games, including the last six in a row and nine of the last eleven. The 2010 games had 6,700 participants, and 2014 expects a higher number.

All Commonwealth Games include 10 "core" sports, with another seven selected by the host country. The "core" sports are: athletics (i.e., track and field), badminton, boxing, field hockey (called simply "hockey"), lawn bowling, netball, rugby sevens, squash, swimming, and weightlifting. As you can see, this list certainly gives the games its own distinct British character. Cycling, diving, gymnastics, shooting, and wrestling have been included in nearly all of the games. For 2014, Scotland has dropped archery and tennis, while adding triathlon and judo.

Why not soccer (i.e., football)? Well, team sports were added for the first time in 1998, so there's not a long tradition of including football. Much more importantly, the World Cup is held just a month before each Commonwealth Games, and the inclusion of national football teams for the latter event is not feasible.

How do the Commonwealth Games differ from the Olympic Games? Not by much, other than the number of countries participating and the scale of the event. They both feature opening and closing ceremonies -- Rod Stewart and Susan Boyle will be featured in this year's opening ceremonies -- as well as a mascot. However, for the Commonwealth Games, disabled participants are full members of their national teams and their medals are included in the medal count.

A mascot competition for ages 6-15 received 4,000 submissions. This is the winner, by a 12-year old girl from Cumbernauld.

The 2014 mascot, "Clyde," named for Glasgow's primary river. Clyde is a thistle, the national flower of Scotland.

Just like the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games includes a baton relay. Called the Queen's Baton Relay, it has covered more than 118,000 miles around the world. As you might expect, the baton relay has been all over Scotland recently. This past Saturday morning, we took a short drive up the road to Bearsden, just north of Glasgow, to watch the baton go by and to let Jackson play at a small fair celebrating the games:

The baton was scheduled to go by at 8:15 am.

We got there a bit early for coffee and a croissant.

The baton strolled by.

Cuisine from various Commonwealth countries was available.

Flags from the various nations were on display.

Jackson made a "hat." Rather, dictated to Kate what to make.

The wee ones had mini games to play, with assistance.

Then the baton went by again. First, the security detail, this member with Clyde . . .

. . . and then the baton.

When I say the baton has been everywhere, I mean it. Highlands, islands, lochs, rivers, canals, villages, cities. We found out on Monday the baton passed by just one street over from our house. Oops. We missed it.

The Commonwealth Games are not quite in the same league as the Olympics, of course, nor of the World Cup. But the Commonwealth Games are the next biggest sporting event in the world. Scotland is intent on showing it has the stature to host such major events. At the same time, I'm sure the pro-independence movement is hoping for a patriotic bump in the polls ahead of September's independence referendum.

We're excited to be attending three events over the next eleven days: rugby sevens; the marathon (in which one of Kate's friends/coworkers is running for Scotland); and track and field. I'll update you on our experience. And huzzah for Team Scotland!