Scotland Calling

As part of this project I'm helping with I have to call places all over Scotland. It's interesting for sure, and I'm enjoying the research. I'm also enjoying mapping where I'm calling. I thought you might enjoy the map too, as it changes over the next few days:
(Link to a larger version.)
Here's a few of my favo(u)rite place names, have fun trying to pronounce them!
Milngavie
Auchmithie
Islay
Girvan
Cromarty
Cairngorms

Hurricane Bawbag: Meme-tastic

It's, er, been a bit windy in Scotland today. With winds forecast up to 90mph (and the highest recorded gust at 165mph), let's just say it's been fun watching the news roll in all day, as well as the viral videos of trampolines rolling by. The reporting and reactions have been a fun mix of OHMYGODLOOKOUTFALLINGMASONRY and 'Oh, a wee sign fell down in Perthshire' and obligatory news reel of reporters being blown about and reports on 165mph winds. Oh, and pictures of WIND TURBINES BREAKING.

This morning:

I have to say that the general reaction to the storm is pretty funny. It really is almost gleefully adversarial, the attitude the Scots take toward foul weather. Someone tweeted that Glaswegians were calling the high winds "Hurricane Bawbag" and the hashtag took off instantly. STV has done a good job of rounding up the best twitter reactions. A few of my favorites:

BREAKING: #scotstorm is rated as "awfally blowie" on the Wee Wifie scale. The WW scale runs from "huffin" tae "haud oantae ma breeks" :-)

Good news, #hurricanebawbag has been downgraded to Scrotum Storm.

There are many reasons I am proud to be Scottish. #hurricanebawbag - our country's way of saying 'GET IT UP YE' to Mother Nature. Brilliant.

My neighbour Donald's trousers blew away. I didn't know what to say to him. #hurricanebawbag

Hurricane Bawbag Update: A plant pot has fallen over in Airdrie. An eye witness retold the horror "it pure went sideways"

Dear Embra, Here huv aw oor discarded crisp pokes. Yours as ayeways, Glasgow. . . . #HurricaneBawbag

This one I found on my own. Gotta love the expressive face at the end. (From the @ForthRoadBridge):

Wind has dropped a bit but forecast to increase and sudden gusts still likely so bridge has to remain closed :(

This is a great mashup:

Latest forecast from the Beeb:

Good night.