Posts Tagged ‘Scottish’
Opinionated? Moi? Q&A turns up in Celtic Life International
[The following is a shortened version of the original article.] Prolific, profound, witty, and opinionated, Canadian author Ken McGoogan made waves recently when he suggested that Canada adopt Scotland as a new territory. Celtic Life International recently spoke with the scribe about his Celtic connections. What are your own roots? My roots are Scottish,…
Read MoreBBC Trigger warning: “previously unthinkable” ideas “may shock some”
From BBC North America: As Scotland pushes for a second referendum on independence, one man is asking the previously unthinkable – if you’re going to quit the UK, why not join Canada? Canadian writer Ken McGoogan says the unorthodox alliance makes sense. “I think it would be terrific for both Scotland and Canada,” he says.…
Read MoreChasing the Irish Pirate Queen around the Aran Islands
Hats off to James McQuiston, editor and publisher of The Celtic Guide, a superbly professional magazine that reflects his passionate interest in Scotland and Ireland. The December issue (click here) features contributions from throughout the Celtic world. They include an excerpt from my latest book, Celtic Lightning: How the Scots and the Irish Created a…
Read MoreKen and Sheena’s Excellent Adventure in the Scottish Highlands
In Perth, we had dinner at the Hightower Hotel with my long-lost, DNA-found cousin Jim McGugan. In Sutherland, we visited Dunrobin Castle, the most politically incorrect edifice in Britain. In Helmsdale, by about an hour, we missed coincidentally encountering our Orcadian pal, historian Tom Muir . . . and so failed to meet his new…
Read MoreHaven’t we forgotten the French? In Celtic Lightning?
The question is fair enough. In writing Celtic Lightning, and exploring the origins of Canadian nationhood, did I neglect a crucial element? Given that I am one-quarter Quebecois, with pur laine roots stretching back to the early 1600s, I could hardly forget Canada’s French Fact. But I also view myself as a realist. And I…
Read MoreWell, hello Vancouver! Wonderful to surface where I did my MFA. . .
Author Q&A: Ken McGoogan credits influence of Scotland, Ireland for what makes Canada Vancouver Sun September 25, 2015 In his new book Celtic Lightning, Ken McGoogan looks at the influence of Scottish and Irish immigrants on the new Canadian nation. McGoogan has written a dozen books, including 50 Canadians Who Changed the World and How…
Read MoreRichard Dawkins + Celtic figurines = Who Do We Think We Are?
Whoosh! Away it goes to the copy editor. Beneath that title page, the manuscript reminds us that, despite our perpetual obsession with our collective identity, we Canadians have never investigated a crucial demographic reality — the fact that more than nine million Canadians claim Scottish or Irish ancestry. Did the ancestors of more than one…
Read MoreRobbie Burns Bash Looms!
Thanks to How the Scots Invented Canada, we had a pretty good run, Sheena Fraser McGoogan and I, with bagpipers piping us into one event or another. Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal . . . who knew the Scots were so keen to party? They’re at it again, and us along with them, on Jan. 23,…
Read More