 |
||
 |
|
 |
 |
||
Miscellaneous
- What is a quaich?
- Where is your Shop?
- What is the difference between Mc and Mac?
- What is the difference between the Saltire and Lion Rampant Flag?
What is a quaich?
The Quaich, pronounced 'quake' is a Scots rendering of the Gaelic word 'cuach'; meaning cup. The Quaich has long been used as a cup of friendship, love and comradeship and is used in the same way today. It is usually made of a polished metal or wood and has two decorated handles. It is generally used as a decorative piece or occasionally for a toast. A selection of Quaichs are available to buy on our website.
Where is your Shop?
Our shop is in the heart of Aberdeen on the Northeast coast of Scotland. The Contact Us section of the website has the full address and a map showing our exact location.
What is the difference between Mc and Mac?
In truth it is simply the obvious difference, the spelling. 'Mac' comes from the Gaelic for 'Son of'. Before language and spelling were standardised it was common for the spelling of a name to vary from place to place and person to person. People simply wrote names as they thought they should be spelt. One common misconception is that 'Mac' denotes a Scottish name and 'Mc' denotes an Irish name. This is simply a misunderstanding stemming from the fact that the 'Mc' prefix was the more common spelling in Ireland. As many Scots settled in Ireland the 'Mc' names are still Scottish.
What is the difference between the Saltire and Lion Rampant Flag?
The Saltire is the official flag of Scotland. It is a white cross on a blue background and represents the cross of Saint Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland. The official name for the Lion Rampant, red lion with a blue tongue on a gold or yellow background, is the Royal Standard of Scotland. Once the Scottish and English Crown was unified in 1603, the Lion Rampant was incorporated into the Royal Standard of Great Britain. The Royal Standard of Scotland is still used by the British Monarch today and flies over Holyrood Palace and Balmoral Castle when the monarch is not in residence. Officials who represent the crown can also use the flag. This flag is sometimes used as a substitute for the Saltire at sporting events. Although technically illegal, nobody in history has been prosecuted for doing so.
