This question is asked more than any other. So, I thought it was a worthy topic to start this blog. After all, this tells the beginning of my story and why I am sailing to Scotland.
First Visit
My maternal grandmother was Scottish. When my grandfather died, she wanted to return home to see her family. At that time, I was 12 years old. She asked me to accompany her. While we were there, we lived with her youngest brother, Edward (my Uncle Edward). He had four daughters: Margaret, Mable, Julia, and Kathleen. So, he was happy to have a boy around.
My whole life I heard about Uncle Edward and his boat: the Rosalie! So, when I was asked if there was anything special I wanted to see in Glasgow, my reply was simple. “Your boat!”
He had built his family cruiser from a lifeboat off the Queen Mary. During World War II, the Queen Mary was used to transport troops across the ocean. After being shot-up considerably, she returned to the John Brown shipyards in Glasgow, Scotland for a refit. Part of that refit was the installation of new lifeboats.
The Boat
I spent much of that summer with Uncle Edward working on the Rosalie. He taught me most of what I know about boats today. Uncle Edward didn’t just show me what to do. He taught me why we had to do it. The first task we accomplished was getting the engine running. Uncle Edward taught me how to bleed the injectors on the diesel engine. I will have to bleed the fuel system and injectors on my engine as a necessary step to getting the engine running.
As the summer neared its end, Uncle Edward posed a question to my grandmother. Can Kevin stay here for one year? I would go to school there. Then, I would help with the boat after school and on weekends. My grandmother was taken back by the question. That is, until he explained in more detail. The following summer, we would sail the Rosalie form Scotland to America. He would sell her once we reached New York City. My grandmother trusted her brother’s judgement and finally agreed. Aunt Rose (Edward’s wife) did the same. My mom thought about it for a while and finally agreed. My father was adamant and said “No”.
Uncle Edward said the decision had to be unanimous between the adults. Therefore, I returned back to Syracuse to start at a new school where I didn’t know anyone. I felt out of place there until we played soccer in gym. Margaret’s husband was a semi-pro soccer player in Glasgow. He taught me how to play and drilled me whenever he had a chance.
Other Visits
While in the Air Force, I was stationed at RAF Mildenhall, England. During that time, I made several visits to Scotland to visit with Uncle Edward, Aunt Rose, and my cousins; Margaret, Mable, Julia, and Kathleen. Kathleen was living around London when I went to visit her. Mable was living north of Edinburgh. Julia was even further north. Margaret lived in Glasgow, but I was not able to see her.
My Next Visit
So… Why sail to Scotland?
Simple…
- In memory and honor of Uncle Edward and all that he taught me.
- Complete the transatlantic voyage that he and I could not.
- Re-connect with my remaining cousins there.
- Re-visit one of the most beautiful places on the planet.