 |  | | | Still miss Scotland | There are 8 messages in this section. |
James Horsburgh from Ontario, Canada. Posted 21 Feb 2003.
I was born in Motherwell, Lanarkshire in 1941.
I immigrated to Canada with my wife and two young sons in 1966. Life has been good to me here, and I have help many successful executive job positions. I own a beautiful home, have two new vehicles, two sons, two daughters who were born in Canada,and eight grandchildren who were born here also.
Life really could not be much better but I am still torn between the two countries, and naturally, I still remember Scotland as it was when I was growing up. I visit my homeland regularly, and when there, never want to leave. However, my children, and grandchildren know only life as it is in Canada, as Canada is their homeland, so I have to return. There are times though when I wish I had never made the decision to leave Scotland, even though it is now a different place from what I remember as a boy. The want, and cravings within me to return to my native land gets overwhelming at times, and I doubt very much that there is never a day that passes without me having thoughts about Scotland. I miss the auld country very much.
James Horsburgh. | | |
|  | Alex from Toronto Canada. Posted 26 Feb 2003.
Hi James, my name is Alex, and I emigrated from Scotland in 1950 at the age of 28 and, like yourself, have had a good life in Canada, but unlike you, I have never regretted my decision to come to Canada. I have been on visits to Scotland at least ten times, and after I lost my wife, I thought very seriously of returning to Scotland but decided to stay in Canada. Visiting Scotland is a far different experience than living there permanently and, if I ever feel like going for a visit, I have the means to do so, thanks to my good fortune in Canada. If you read the letters in the forum regarding leaving Scotland you will find quite a few that I have written to a chap called Dave, or David, we had a few disagreements about the subject you are wrestling with, and it is a very personal matter, so it's very hard for a complete stranger to offer advice. All I can say is be very thankful for the many blessings that you have and console yourself with the thought that you can spend as much time in Scotland as you want, and have the best of two worlds. I hope you don't resent my opinions, but I have expressed how I feel, and if you would like to answer through the forum, I will be very pleased to share your views. You dont say where you're from in Canada, I am from Toronto so we will more than likely have a lot in common. Wishing you all the best. Yours Aye, Alex.
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| | Sheila from Vancouver, Canada. Posted 5 Jan 2004.
Hi James:
I know exactly how you feel I came out to Vancouver in 1981 with my two daughters. I have spent several holidays back in Scotland. Two years ago I stayed for 3 months, and last year I stayed for 4 months, and climbed my first Munro. I know in my heart that I will return to Scotland permanently one day, probably after retirement, which is still a few years away.
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| | Heather Peebles from Western Australia. Posted 6 Apr 2004.
I am pleased to see I am not alone in my feelings. I migrated to Australia 35 years ago which means I have actually lived in Australia longer than I lived in Scotland but I still feel Scottish not Australian. Not that I regret my life here or want to live back in Scotland but its a kind of limbo state -like a displaced person and I still talk with a Scottish accent.
So for 35 years I am sick having to spell my name or repeat what I say because people dont understand me - I have only been back to Scotland twice but it was lovely - I felt at home, everyone understood what I said and nobody cracked jokes about my accent.
Home is definitely where your heart is but not necessarily where your body is.
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| | Richard Hill Glass from Medina, NY USA. Posted 29 Oct 2004.
Fit like? My Mum and Dad emigrated in 1952 and I had no choice but to leave. I remember the entire family crying at the Joint Station in Aberdeen, it was then I knew that I was leaving a country that would not have left if I were an adult. I have been "home" a number of times and always wished I could retire their. I have children and Grandchildren now, so I will just have to save for another holiday in Scotland. I have kept my British passport and will always be proud to be a Scot.
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| | Alex from Toronto, Canada. Posted 4 Apr 2005.
Hi James,
My name is Alex,and I emigrated from Scotland in 1950 at the age of 28 and, like yourself, I have had a good life in Canada. But unlike you, I have never regretted my decision to come to Canada. I have been on visits to Scotland at least ten times,and after Ilost my wife, I thought very seriously of returning to Scotland, but decided to stay in Canada. Visiting Scotland is a far different experience than living there permanently,and if I ever feel like going for a visit, I have the means to do so, thanks to my good fortune in Canada.
If you read the letters in the forum regarding leaving Scotland you will find quite a few that I have written to a chap called Dave, or David. We had a few disagreements about the subject you are wrestling with, and it is a very personal matter,s o it's very hard for a complete stranger to offer advice. All I can say is - be very thankful for the many blessings that you have and console yourself with the thought that you can spend as much time in Scotland as you want, and have the best of two worlds.
I hope you don't resent my opinions,but I have expressed how I feel, and if you would like to answer through the Forum, I will be very pleased to share your views. You don't say where you're from in Canada. I am from Toronto so we will more than likely have a lot in common. Wishing you all the best, Yours Aye, Alex
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| | Gordon Smithson from North Haven NSW, Australia. Posted 16 Oct 2006.
I think we all have those feelings james. There is a saying in Australia that you can 'take the boy from the country but not the country from the boy." I also feel the pull of Scotlland after leaving Edinburgh in 1991 happy and joyful at a new life - even though at the age of 31 I was almsot halfway through my existing life! All migrants seem to be torn between the rich new life they now lead and the old, well kent life that has gone before. My children are "aussie, aussie, aussie" types through and through BUT have a strong sense of where they come from too. At the end of the day we are where we prefer to be........or it would be different if we so wished.
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| | Lino Rocha from Edinburgh, Scotland. Posted 16 Oct 2006.
I have read the views from Scots who have migrated to other lands but whose hearts still belong to Scotland.
As you can tell by my name I have not got a drop of Scottish or even British blood in me but having lived down 'south' for the past 29 years and only 6 in Scotland, I can tell you my heart would cry for my second home (Scotland of course!) if I was ever to migrate again.
It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and magical places on earth...and I mean magical. Just go to the Scottish Highlands and you'll know what I mean :-)
Edinburgh itself is another magical spot. For the last 6 years, not a day went by where my heart never failed to smile whenever I (everyday) walked on its soil!.
I am not talking about whether or not it is a place to make a future (money wise) for you and your children. It is about the sheer beauty of this historic land.
I've known quite a few people from abroad who came for a visit and ended up staying for a few years. Some had left thereafter but their hearts stayed.
Finally, as a matter of interest to those Scots who live in Canada, I play (sing) with a band called Salsa Celtica. We might have met...
So there you have it. Proof that you do not have to be a Scot to love Scotland :-)
Lino
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