Best Scottish Poems
A angry sky, as cauld as Loch Lomon'
fair drew me out from cot o' peat, an' bed.
The wolves wus wailin', an' thund'r respond'd
Ah gather'd tam, me tartan, an' dug Red.
To 'orse ah took an' found the 'erd sam 'urt.
The 'ungry wolves 'ad already fed.
Inta the bi'er blaw, the rill ah skirt
thro braes a white, t'ward ham an' fire burnin'
the bleatin' sheep, the 'orse an' ah alert.
We wud mak it hame, stomaches churnin'
O smell the peat fire on the wild wind now,
'ear the cows faint distant ca', a lowin'
'erself wud know, we'r near ta the brow.
Noo, we 'ad beat the storm hame, an' kep' me vow.
Dedicated to Jimbo Goff & James Fraser
and the spirit of Robin Burns
See About the Poem
I love your heathered highlands,
steep cliffs and rugged islands,
hedges and gardens under
rainclouds of grey.
Old steeples rise above
those small rural towns I love;
your hillsides of sunny yellow,
rolled bales of hay.
Pipers will play their part
stirring each Scottish heart
binding together a nation
drenched with pride.
"Scotland the Brave" is ringing,
dancers are highland flinging -
proud Scottish hearts are singing,
joy wells inside.
O, highland games of yore
with racers and tug-of-war,
the cabers are tossed asunder
by mighty men.
I love your farmlands rustic,
mountains and lochs majestic,
as kilts of many tartans
hike through the glen.
Pipers will play their part
stirring each Scottish heart
binding together a nation
drenched with pride.
"Scotland the Brave" is ringing,
dancers are highland flinging -
proud Scottish hearts are singing,
joy wells inside.
Castles with ancient hist'ry,
Celt runes of ancient myst'ry,
we sing an "Auld Lang Syne"
and toast Robbie Burns.
Clans clad in plaid will whistle
fondly of Lion and Thistle,
dressing with tartan kilts
their wee bonnie bairns.
Hands high, your dancers dance -
crossed swords, I'm in a trance,
pipes heard for miles
with that old familiar blare.
St. Andrews' cross - the flag is
don't ask what's in the haggis!
Just eat your shortbread
and be glad you were there.
//These reflect some of my favorite memories from the 6 months I lived in Scotland, in 1990. I miss her dearly and hope I may be able to return some day. These words may be sung to "Scotland the Brave", a beloved anthem of Scottish national pride. You can hear it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzK2PWVQYX0
The tempo of this recording is much faster than I prefer, but I include it here in case you have never had a chance to hear this wonderful patriotic song. //
Written 24 Mar 2021
I am the
Scot's thistle
The emblem of my
proud country it has
been our valiant
pride for so
many years
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The thistle has been the national emblem of Scotland
since the reign of Alexander III (1249 - 1286) and was
used on silver coins issued by James III in 1470.
According to the legend, an invading Norse army was
attempting to sneak up at night upon a Scots army
encampment. During this operation one barefoot Norseman
had the misfortune to step upon a Scots Thistle,
causing him to cry out in pain, thus alerting Scots
to the presence of the Norse invaders.
My entry into Deborah Guzzi's " Oh, what a Shape I'm in! " contest.
Not easy doing the above, i nearly went cross eyed.
I walked the roads, both low and high,
In search of where my bonny lie,
And when I found her, I did cry,
My bonny love,
I know her spirit's in the sky,
Far up above.
She's freed from all her earthly woe,
As in the ground she's laid below,
Where fields of purple heather grow,
My bonny dear,
I hear her voice, as breezes blow,
Her voice so clear.
She speaks to me of times before,
When we first met upon the shore,
But that was in the days of yore,
My bonny lass,
My spirit stays, but hers will soar,
And time will pass.
She looks to me from up above,
And gives me peace and sends me love,
On angel wing and snow white dove,
My bonny true,
And as I felt the truth thereof,
Her spirit flew.
On this ship I'll cruise the Scottish Isles
Coast on coast for many a mile
Rocks and sand, castles that are grand
Beauty that has been graced by many hands
Isle of Iona what a dream
Where the beautiful stone Abbey can be seen
Much of your beauty destroyed over the years
Hope of restoration somehow calms all fears
Isle of Arran twenty miles long and fifty-six around
Palm Trees grace your lush land
Divide by the Highland Boundary Fault that bounds
The north rugged and hilly with south gentle as sand
So many isles over seven hundred in all
One cruises on the imaginary ship all night long
From low lands, craggy hill and mountains tall
Each night I'll cruise the imagination with song
Contest:"Indulge Me Scottish Style"
Sponsor: Thvia Shetley
The time has come your passing has happened
Your desire to live was never dampened
The great Scottish debate for you to stay or go
I screamed yes, but the haggis of your heart said no
The split of our nation represents the split in my heart
But now the time has come and we must part
Much like our dreams of reaching the sixth form debate final
“Page 32” you crowbarred into conversation
infuriating Ash to the point of self-immolation
your self important boasts of superior knowledge
turned my my weakened soul into watery porridge
You were not a stereotype, despite what many said
Unlike most Scots, you ate more than simply fried bread
Your challenge with crackers so lascivious that I lost my thread
And since then I yearned for a way to do more than simple observe your bed
But your aggression was endearing, cutting and clear
Tearing opponents to shreds, speaking to all that will hear
But I was behind a glass wall, simply shedding a tear
As a limp invitation to a party was the closest I could near
I sit here now and remember our lark
Our time together, characterized by a battle with a shark
The verbal brutality was shocking that situation was stark
But your retorts were quick witted, but often loaded with snark
This took so long to write as my heart still bares scars
An open mouth like yours could give hour long seminars
Yet you still saved me from being bundled into one of Bennet’s cars
Yet I must hope that we meet again, underneath heaven’s stars
Welcome to All Things Scottish –
If it's not Scottish, it's craaaapp.
When in Scotland, be a scot.
If you don’t wear T-shirt with the words
“If it ain’t Scottish, it’s crap”
You are other than a scot.
If you have not visited any Shoppe
For Scottish mom and pop fish’n chip
You are other than a scot.
If you have not visited Edinburgh Castle
And the homes of Sir Walter Scot
You are other than a scot.
If you don’t visit the old pubs
To drink Scotch whisky
You are other than a scot.
If you have not read Burns’ poem
My luv was like red red roses
You are other than a scot
If don’t put on the manly garb kilt
When you are getting married
You are other than a scot
Going on date first time
What brand condom selected
If not scotish, it’s crap.
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Tenth Placement
For Catch Phrase Contest of Deborah Guzi
What can make the heart grow fond
I'll give you the tip
Nothing can satisfy your taste
Like Scottish Steak and chips.
Juicy highland cattle steaks will
melt just past your lips
feeding well the hungry soul
That's Scottish steak and chips.
What can put some fat on you
on your frame and hips
you'll never ever fade away
With Scottish steak and chips.
There's no food in this modern world
whether haggis, burgers or fish
that can match the beauty and taste
of Scottish steak and chips.
TV chefs seem unawares
and seem so ill equipped
of talent, skill and feel required
to cook Scottish steak and chips.
No need to be serious
Always poems to make you think
Need a bit of humour
Eating Scottish steak and chips.
When grandchildren ask about the nation's dish
"is it haggis or whisky nips ?"
I'll lean back in my rockin' chair
eating Scottish Steak and chips.
The Scottish Highlands;
purple painted landscape and
snow dusted mountains.
Majestic eagle;
soars high over mountain top
calling to his mate.
A Scottish Drinking Song-Story
A Scotsman clad in kilt left the bar one
evening fair, and one could tell by how
he walked that he drank more than his share.
He stumbled of into the grass to sleep beside
the street.
About that time two young and lovely girls
just happened by.
One says to the other with a twinkle in her eye,
“ See yon sleeping Scotsman so strong and
handsome built, I wonder if it’s true they don’t
wear beneath the kilt?”
They crept up on that sleeping Scotsman quiet
as could be, lifted up his kilt about one inch so
they could see, and there behold for them to view
beneath his Scottish shirt was nothing more than
God had graced him with upon his birth.
They marveled for a moment then one said,
“ We must be gone, let’s leave a present for our
friend before we move along.”
As a gift they left a blue silk ribbon tied into a bow
around the bonnie star the Scots kilt did lift and show.
Now the Scotsman woke to nature’s call and stumbled
towards the trees behind the bushes, he lifts the kilt
and gawks at what he sees and in a startled voice he says
to what’s before his eyes.
“ Oh, lad I don’t know where you’ve been, but I see
you won first prize.”
Erich J. Goller
Note: this is one of the funny stories you will find in
my book "Just For The Pun Of It" and many,many more!
You can get the book at www.LULU.com or you can get
a autographed copy from me with a 15% discout!
Sadie Terrier
Scottish origin
Wins Westminster's
2010 contest
Hurray for Sadie
Pulchritude is
Pert, alert, shows
The audience
Glamorous side
Gave handler
A run in
The fast ring
The Black
Scottish
Sadie
Dog
I haven’t sailed her rocky shores,
peered through her misty veils,
but clansman blood runs thru my veins.
Fore-fathers climbed her trails.
I long to see highlands and meadows,
the lochs and the glens and more,
to seek fabled Loch Ness monster,
part of exciting Scottish lore.
Is there some one resembling me
still living in this distant land?
Does he proudly wear his Scottish kilts
as he marches in bagpipe band?
The poems of renowned Bobby Burns
have appealed to poet in me.
My Scottish roots are calling out
to unravel the mystery.
Scottish dancer
In your kilt you twist and turn
to flash your butt - I do discern
Penned 22/11/2015
Oh have you ever seen old green Scottish heights?
The hills and Marilyns echo William's rights,
Loch's water is still and calm as monks of yore,
When it seeps through hillsides in its tranquil rites.
And that my dear is you and your aspects fair.
The newborn grass of Argyll is vestal floor,
Unspoiled, pristine when it cherish Scottish shore,
And then there are castles, rooks and roman wall,
That on vestal floor are built and background bore.
And that my dear is you and your flaxen hair.
You are unique for you coalesce it all,
Your looks are prudent, your eyes are off the doll,
Your manners of daytime vanish for our nights,
Though a zephyr fresh you do not gently sprawl,
And that my dear is Scotland and it's fresh air.
The Scottish flag is a Rampant rare;
It flutters majestically in the air.
It's the emblem of my land sae fair.....bonnie Scotland.
24/07/2015 Scotland - Robert Davidson