The Scottish Festival Surprise

Eleanor Morgan Dunwythe, a 30-something year old lady, five feet seven inches tall, a few extra pounds, with hazel eyes, auburn hair, fair skin, dressed in a burgundy skirt with a white peasant blouse, and a burgundy vest, walks through the local annual Scottish festival, filled with all different colour tents: white, blue and white striped, brown and white, canvas. The sounds of laughter, negotiating of purchases, tempting offers, and celtic music float on the slight breeze. She is perusing the items for sale or display in the various booths and tents: small statues, incense burners, candle holders, wooden signs, leather goods, bustiers, corsets, skirts, overdresses, children’s items, British food items such as vegemite, marmalade, Yorkshire tea, irn-bru, sgian dubh knives and swords. In one of the tents, she spies a handmade handbag, with a silk daisy on it, and purchases it. In another booth, she is drawn to a silver celtic triquetra necklace and matching bracelet, which she immediately purchases and puts on. As she’s leaving the booth, a six foot tall Scotsman with dark hair, ice blue eyes, and wearing a kilt comes running by and bumps into her, almost knocking her over, but catches her. Their eyes meet and they both feel an almost electric connection. He profusely apologizes and invites her out to dinner. She accepts his invitation and he explains he must first go to his Clan’s tent for a meeting and a commencement dance and would she mind coming along. She agrees, he takes her hand, and she matches his quick pace on the way to his Clan’s tent. People that they pass by look at them curiously and then resume their browsing.

Once there, he shows her to a spot at the back of the tent and she stands there, feeling out of place, underdressed and trying to stay out of the way. Others come in and take up spots as well: men dressed in various tartan kilts, women dressed with various tartan sashes, rosettes, and scarves. The lead speaker walks up to the front, says some words in Scottish Gaelic, then in Scots English. Those in attendance applaud as the speaker steps away. Soon some lively music starts and the men and women pair off and start dancing the Scottish country dance. She feels like a third wheel until her new friend comes back to her side and gallantly asks her to dance, taking her hand and kissing it. He apologizes again for everything being rushed and introduces himself as Alastair Duncan MacGregor. She replies and introduces herself. He comments that he feels as if he’s known her all his life. She replies that she feels the same and can’t explain it.

The dance finishes and he offers her his arm, which she gratefully accepts, they walk over to a table in the corner, take a cup of the beverage being offered, then they walk out of the tent and through the rest of the festival, chatting along the way. Alastair asks about her. She explains she was born and raised in the States, but has never felt like she belonged. Alastair reveals that he was born and raised in Scotland and comes over frequently to assist with the Clan events. He asks about her parents, and she explains that they live in Arkansas and Arizona. They come to a silk florist and he buys her a beautiful blue daisy barrette, which she affixes to her hair. They walk on, exploring the shoppes and watching the shows on the different stages for Highland dances, Scottish country dances, sword dances, sword fighting, band practice, fire acts, juggling, birds of prey, comedy acts, magic acts, puppet shows for children, and eventually end up at the food tent. He walks her to a empty table and asks if she trusts him. She answers that she does as he takes and kisses her hand, then walks over to the food vendor, returning shortly with a tray of food on two plates and two bottles of beverage. He unloads the food from the tray onto the table and sets it by his seat, then sits down across from her. They eat the Scottish meat pies, chips (french fries), and drink the beverages called IRN-BRU, which tastes a bit like orange and ginger. She compliments him on his choice of food as it's delicious. He clears the dishes with the tray and disposes of it. He again offers her his arm. She gathers her things and takes his arm, relishing in his gentlemanly ways.

They walk along and come to a stage where the hosts are inviting people up to sing. They watch three acts sing then he releases her arm at the side of the stage, goes up on stage, and dedicates and sings “My Love is Like a Red Red Rose” to her. Then he calls her up on stage saying that while it’s true they’ve only known each other for about 6 hours, it feels to him like they’ve known each other forever. He asks if she would consent to be his wife and she nods yes with tears filling her eyes. The crowd cheers and applauds as a chaplain joins them on stage, carrying ribbons for a handfasting. The chaplain marries them right then and there in a traditional Scottish handfasting ceremony. The crowd clears the dance area, throwing rose petals as they leave the stage arm in arm. The band restarts playing “My Love is Like a Red Red Rose” and they dance their first dance as husband and wife as he twirls her around the floor. Then others join in and make the floor full of happy couples, sharing in Eleanor and Alastair’s joyous union.

He asks her if she's ever been to Scotland. She replies no and he explains that he hopes she will enjoy living there as he’s the Laird of the MacGregor Family Estate and she has just become the Lady of the Estate. She stares at him in disbelief, then smiles tentatively.