Newtonmore trip

[Paul T]

Roma,

Would love to see pics of your red squirrels if you have any?  Interesting that the reds don't seem to bother the bulbs..... all the more reason to get rid of the greys that are out-competing them! 

Maggi,

I wonder how many people out there actually think that Haggis really ARE bred.  I see enough jokes about haggis farms etc that I'm sure there must be a lot of people out there who believe that there are farms for breeding them, instead of the innards and offal etc that are really involved in the process.  (where is the smiley for barfing when you need one!?  )

[David Shaw]

I admit that haggis farms are a joke, mainly for tourists from down under. They are very difficult to breed in captivity and I don't know of anyone who has yet made a commercial success of this. Fortunately they breed like rabbits in the wild and are readily trapped, hence the large numbers available in game shops.

[Paul T]

Are these the haggis that have one leg longer than the other so that they can run effectively around the hillsides?

The thought of a stuffed sheep's stomach running around in the wild is quite offputting!! 

[Maggi Young]

Paul, I think these are the smileys you need:

[Paul T]

Maggi,

Yeah, that pretty well sums up my intellectual thoughts on haggis.  Never actually tried it though so I will reserve my physical reactions to it until I have done so. 

[Lesley Cox]

The thought of a stuffed sheep's stomach running around in the wild is quite offputting!! 

I absolutely agree with you Paul. The haggis, though of wild origin, is a sensitive and frail creature and that they should have to run around the hillsides is an outrage. There should be well sheltered and even luxurious spa-like buildings where they can be raised in comfort and ease, out of rain, frost and mud. We do these things better in NZ and I may even bring one over for you (I'll declare it of course). I'm sure Otto or Fermi will be happy to cook it suitably for your delectation. Naturally it will be humanely killed first.

[Paul T]

Lesley,

I look forward to that immensely!