"Gang Warily" ...

 

Translated means "Go Carefully".  For the last couple of days I have been trying to do that.  I have been doing some research on the Scottish side of my Family.  According to the very reliable and excellent website http://www.electricscotland.com my maiden surname "Begg" dates back to 1260 the first recorded Begg in Scotland.  Malcom Beg (or the little) Chamberlain of the estate of Levenax.  

As I understand it many small clans (families) joined together from 1603 to 1747 for the purpose of doing battle.  The Begg family were just one of many who joined the Drummond Clan so our family crest and tartan is shared with them.

This is the Drummond weathered Tartan, their are actually five others to chose from.   Not sure why or when Malcolm and his family changed to Drummond,  after reading many pages of history,   marriages and Battles were  involved.  Somewhere along the way beautiful Drummond Castle was built.  I wonder if I can claim this as my "Stately Home".

I have mentioned before that my Grand father Micheal Thomas Curr Begg once wrote a letter to one of his sons telling him that we were descended from the Kings of Ireland.  I will have to check in to that more.

This is not Michael or my Dad  Thomas, I just like the image.

I read that "For every single Scot in Scotland their are thought to be 5 more overseas".  In doing the research on my Lines I have found that to be true.  I have them traced to all parts of England then New Zealand, Australia and the United States to name a few places.  I have so much enjoyed communicating and sharing information with many of my Scottish cousins.

The Scottish Thistle, Scotland's Emblem.   There are many different stories as to how the thistle became the emblem of Scotland.  One legend is that during a battle with the Norse, a band of Scots hid out for the night in an area surrounded by thistles.  The Norse hoping to surprise them, removed their foot ware so they could sneak up on them.  However one soldier stepped on a thistle and his cries of pain woke the Scots who roundly defeated the Norse.

The Order of the Thistle founded by King James the V in 1540 consisted of the King and 12 of his Knights.  It was meant to draw parallels between Jesus and his 12 Apostles.  Also reminds one of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.  The Order of the Thistle's motto is "nemo me impune lacessit" which means "no one harms me without punishment".

It is a worthy symbol for people who have spread their culture around the world and shown they are a strong and hardy people.