The COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc with the many highland games and Scottish festivals throughout North America and Great Britain. This season, clan members will no longer gather to share our company and heritage. Our great male and female athletes will sit out their awe-insprining competitions. And the Scottish vendors will be hurt financially without their usual rounds of games and festivals.
One of my favorite merchants is Scottish Gourmet USA, managed by Anne Robinson and Andrew Hamilton. Since 2005, they have been offering a wide variety of Scottish foods such as shortbread, marmalade, teas, whisky fudge, tablet, cheese, smoked salmon, oatcakes, meat pies, and, of course haggis! Their gift inventory includes books, tartan paper goods, ceramic tiles, mugs, ornaments, kitchenware, and gift baskets.
More impressive than their array of Scottish goods and delicacies is their commitment to the Scottish-American community.
Every time, I have asked for a donation of a gift basket to help our annual scholarship fundraiser, Anne and Andrew have delivered.
This year, I won’t be able to visit Anne and Andrew at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina or the Virginia Scottish Games. So I shopped online and purchased two bags of lemon shortbread mix, Border’s Dark Chocolate Gingers, and a Clan Forbes tea towel. You can also purchase a Forbes Clan Gift Box package with two mugs plus the tea towel.
This time, I restrained myself from purchasing a specialty tin of Walker’s Shortbreads. Every summer, I buy a tin for my husband for Christmas – and this year’s Scottie dog tin was a big hit.
However, I’ll be sure to select this year’s Christmas gift in the fall!
Until we gather once again for sharing our clan camaraderie and cheering on our athletes, please help our Scottish merchants by ordering online. After all, we are family.