"I am always touched when people take the time and trouble to write after they have seen me live or have read my work. Some of the people I speak to in the New World have been away from Scotland for generations, but that little scrap of mountain and moorland on the edge of Europe still means something to them. If I can put that into perspective for them, it has all been worthwhile. For all the folk that take the time to write, can I just say "thank you". We may speak with different accents, but we have a shared history, and what makes us all Scots is that shared history. My ancestors stood shoulder to shoulder with Wallace at Stirling or Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn, and so did yours. Despite the differing accents we are all Scots together under the skin. For the Scots who write from Scotland, I'm so glad to know that there are so many kindred spirits out there. David R. Ross"

Dear Mr. Ross,

There’s no other way to say it except thank you! I was fortunate enough to meet you and hear you speak this past weekend at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, and it was certainly the highlight of the week for me. I was born and raised in the highlands of East Tennessee on the border with North Carolina, but I am a Scot just the same. My bloodlines go through Clan Donald on both sides of my family. You mentioned that there are remnants of the clan system in place. I can attest to that because we are NOT a clan society in Clan Donald, but are truly still a clan. We have tried with all our might to maintain our oral histories and traditions within Clan Donald, especially here in the Mid-South. I am a piper and have the opportunity to play for my church quite often. In fact, every day I stand outside the church and pipe for my beloved Scotland even though I know she can’t hear me.

I’ve never been to Scotland and my heart breaks because of it. If Scotland ever called for me, I’d be there, as would many American born Scots. If Scotland regains her complete independence and calls her children home, I’ll be there. You said it best: I am indeed 7 generations American, but I was a thousand a Scot before that. I don’t know why I pine for a land I’ve never seen with my own eyes, but I do.
It was an honor to meet you and I am grateful for what you do. I just wanted to give you a pat on the back and encourage you to please keep on doing what you’re doing because you are making us proud.

Yours Aye,
Rev. Brian E. Sharp

David;

I'm reading "On The Trail of Robert the Bruce" for the second time.
Great book - thanks for writing it for all of us to enjoy, and thanks again for all you do to preserve Scottish history.

Ralph Hawkins
OKC, OK