Outing a bogus structural Engineer

[8den]

On another, UK website I have someone claiming to be a structural enigneer, spouting woowoo stuff.

I don't want to call him a liar, but well, er, no I cannot find a way to finish that sentence. He's lying.

Can any boffins give me any good ways to catch him out?

[Sword_Of_Truth]

I'm not an engineer, but I shut down a bogus engineer on another site just by asking to see his calculations.

If he calls your bluff and shows his work, you can always bring it back here and have Mackey and Guinn look at it.

[hellaeon]

get him to write a paper for peer review that shows his calculations for 9/11 and why the official explanation isnt. Ask him to produce this (he must have already to reach the conclusion he has) or tell him you'll forever assume him to be lying.

[The Almond]

On another, UK website I have someone claiming to be a structural enigneer, spouting woowoo stuff.

I don't want to call him a liar, but well, er, no I cannot find a way to finish that sentence. He's lying.

Can any boffins give me any good ways to catch him out?

I'm a structural engineer by education and profession. Have him pop out some calculations and let's see what he can come up with. I've had CTers claim to be mechanical engineers, mathematics professors and chemists, and yet every time I threw down actual calculations and scientific references, they couldn't match wits.

Though I agree with hellaeon, if this guy is a qualified engineer, he should have no problem publishing his work in an engineering journal.

You know, that math he did that proves that hundreds of practicing engineers in the ASCE, at NIST and in private industry are all wrong. He should probably publish that.

[joobz]

When i was in undergrad, i had some ME friends of mine arguing about whether or not the Starship Enterprize could have withstood the crash with earth in the 5th movie (i think 5th movie). They were performing a whole bunch of structural calculations based upon some published ship schematic.

The point is, being an engineer doesn't prevent someone from spouting out pure nonsense. Simply ask for his calculations and many here would be happy to review it.

I don't know about structural engineering, but being a Chem E, you always have to start with your assumptions in solving a problem. Find out what assumptions he made. ask for them. I'd be very suspect if he claims to not have made any.

[The Almond]

Find out what assumptions he made. ask for them. I'd be very suspect if he claims to not have made any.

That's a good point. Looking at Judy Wood's Billiard Balls stuff, her application of newtonian mechanics is correct, but her first assumption was that each floor was strong enough to stop all of the falling mass above it. That one simplification invalidated her entire argument.

[joobz]

That's a good point. Looking at Judy Wood's Billiard Balls stuff, her application of newtonian mechanics is correct, but her first assumption was that each floor was strong enough to stop all of the falling mass above it. That one simplification invalidated her entire argument.
Yup, they are always the most likely source of problems. look at any free energy or PPM. "Well, if we have a frictionless..."

[bonavada]

On another, UK website I have someone claiming to be a structural enigneer, spouting woowoo stuff.
I don't want to call him a liar, but well, er, no I cannot find a way to finish that sentence. He's lying.
Can any boffins give me any good ways to catch him out?

got an url for that site 8den?
i'm UK (swansea) but find that our woos are much less entertaining than their american counterparts. bit like comparing trisha to the jerry springer show. we just haven't got the same class of trailer trash they have over the water.
if there was a world cup of woo the USA would win hands down no probs.

BV

[Anti-sophist]

That's a good point. Looking at Judy Wood's Billiard Balls stuff, her application of newtonian mechanics is correct, but her first assumption was that each floor was strong enough to stop all of the falling mass above it. That one simplification invalidated her entire argument.

Actually her application of Newtonian mechanics is decidedly incorrect. Her model is very obviously flawed, but she still manages to incorrectly run the math on her model, incorrectly predicting how a column of billiard balls would fall. In her calculation, the top floor is the floor which is responsible for knocking every other floor off it's perch. This is clearly wrong since the 99th floor knocks the 98th, and the 98th for the 97th, and so on. This error results in some seriously goofy predictions and some seriously goofy graphs.

[Crossbow]

On another, UK website I have someone claiming to be a structural enigneer, spouting woowoo stuff.

I don't want to call him a liar, but well, er, no I cannot find a way to finish that sentence. He's lying.

Can any boffins give me any good ways to catch him out?

Try asking him about his professional credentials.

I cannot speak for the UK, of course, but here in my state of West Virginia anyone can easily verify the status of any Registered Professional Engineer (and I am one of them) via the West Virginia Professional Engineer web site. There may be something similar in the UK and if this guy has legitimate credentials, then it may be quite easy for you to check him out as well.

[Architect]

On another, UK website I have someone claiming to be a structural enigneer, spouting woowoo stuff.

I don't want to call him a liar, but well, er, no I cannot find a way to finish that sentence. He's lying.

Can any boffins give me any good ways to catch him out?


Yea, point me in the right direction for his website and I'll have a go at it too.


You could also ask the UK Insititute of Structural Engineers or Institute of Civil Engineers if he's on their registers; I don't know if either allow online searches (note, a lot of structures guys hold ICE membership in lieu of IStructE because of the way the exams are set up).

[CynicalSkeptic]

Try asking him about his professional credentials.


Not every engineer is a PE. As a degreed and employed Computer Engineer, I've never bothered to take the PE exam. I've never been asked about it at a job interview. I did (breifly) look into it, just to help pad my resume', but never followed through.

http://www.ece.vt.edu/ugrad/feexam.html

[The Almond]

In truth, if someone asked me for my License number and state, I wouldn't give it to them. The internet is too amorphous, and I don't trust people with my professional information. Companies and public officials have many levels of private data security they must abide by when requesting registration information.

[ponderingturtle]

Yup, they are always the most likely source of problems. look at any free energy or PPM. "Well, if we have a frictionless..."

That is because there are so few problems that have anylitic solutions that you have to remove certain things for the problem to be solveable, by some means other than brute computing power.

Hence the spherical cow joke about physicists.

[Architect]

Not every engineer is a PE. As a degreed Computer Engineer, I've never bothered to take the PE exam. I've never been asked about it at a job interview. I did (breifly) look into it, just to help pad my resume', but never followed through.

Perhaps, but it would be pretty much unknown in the UK for a degree qualified structural or civil engineer not to be in one of the two institutes. He'd be unable to carry out a significant part of his professional duties, for example producing Design Certificates for the statutory building control system.

[8den]

urban75.net/vbulletin is the forum

The thread is

http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=187912&page=4

and the user is pocketscience. He's a weasel, when I asked him what aspects of the conspiracy theories are sound to him as a structural engineer, he comes out with guff
like

"Initially no, but I'm keeping an open mind on it nowadays. Nothing along these lines would surprise me anymore,

Jazzz is the resident 28thkingdom

Work away fellas one of my dogs fell critical ill this morning, and I don't have the stomach for this nonsense today.

[Architect]

In truth, if someone asked me for my License number and state, I wouldn't give it to them. The internet is too amorphous, and I don't trust people with my professional information. Companies and public officials have many levels of private data security they must abide by when requesting registration information.


Interesting point.

I refused to post my registration details on line because I didn't want spammed at work by CTers, and the partners would take a dim view of it.

However I did pass the details on to someone respected and trusted by most posters on the board - Gravy - in order that someone else had all the relevant details and could confirm my bona fides if required.

In any event, if the chap publishes (internet or otherwise) a paper on the subject then I would expect him to properly identify himself.

[ponderingturtle]

Perhaps, but it would be pretty much unknown in the UK for a degree qualified structural or civil engineer not to be in one of the two institutes. He'd be unable to carry out a significant part of his professional duties, for example producing Design Certificates for the statutory building control system.

Well he could have the degree but not be working in the feild.

[patchbunny]

In California (I assume other states have similar restrictions, the UK may too as it combats fraud), one cannot call themselves a Civil Engineer unless they have passed the Civil PE examination. For Structural Engineers, you must pass a Structures exam. If you claim to be such an engineer and lack the qualifications, you can be arrested and charged with a Misdemeanor (Article 6787 of the Professional Engineer's Act (http://www.dca.ca.gov/pels/laws.htm)

[Architect]

In California (I assume other states have similar restrictions, the UK may too as it combats fraud), one cannot call themselves a Civil Engineer unless they have passed the Civil PE examination. For Structural Engineers, you must pass a Structures exam. If you claim to be such an engineer and lack the qualifications, you can be arrested and charged with a Misdemeanor (Article 6787 of the Professional Engineer's Act (http://www.dca.ca.gov/pels/laws.htm)

Ironically, no; but architects have to be registered with the ARB (Architects Registration Board) before they can use their title (or anything in the style of "architect") for exactly the same consumer protection issues.

However a chartered engineer MUST be in one of the institutes, who do insist on accredited courses, entrance exams, and so forth.

[Architect]

Well he could have the degree but not be working in the feild.


Entirely correct; all we're saying is that if he's not in IStructE or ICE then it is extremely unlikely that he's a practicising engineer.

[Gravy]

However I did pass the details on to someone respected and trusted by most posters on the board - Gravy - in order that someone else had all the relevant details and could confirm my bona fides if required.And I've been successfully passing myself off as a Scottish architect ever since...just for the chicks. I slip up with the accent quite a bit, though.

[Arus808]

urban75.net/vbulletin is the forum

The thread is

http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=187912&page=4



Unfortunately, you have to be a member or the thread was deleted to see it.

[Architect]

And I've been successfully passing myself off as a Scottish architect ever since...just for the chicks. I slip up with the accent quite a bit, though.


And in a stunning coincidence, I spend a lot of my time pretending to be a guide and calling Manhattan "New Amsterdam" and other "facts" to foreign tourists. Whenever they question the accuracy, I give em Jones' telephone number and tell 'em that he'll confirm everything.... ;)

[Architect]

Unfortunately, you have to be a member or the thread was deleted to see it.

You have to be a member; I'm waiting for permission to post at the moment.

The guys seems a bit.....full of himself? confrontational? ach, you know what I mean.....

[joobz]

That is because there are so few problems that have anylitic solutions that you have to remove certain things for the problem to be solveable, by some means other than brute computing power.

Hence the spherical cow joke about physicists.
even if you aren't going for an exact analytical solution and are employing numerical means, assumptions are still needed.

[Minadin]

In my position (some 2 years into my first architecture job, not liscensed / registered but holding a professional degree) I'm allowed to call myself an architect, however, I must qualify that with something else to seperate my position and expertise from someone who is a registered professional (Though I will be one in a few years). So, in my current position, I'm given the title "architectural associate", but in talking with several other people at my level in other firms in the area, it seems that everyone calls it something different. "Intern Architect", "Graduate Architect", "Apprentice Architect", "Arch-1" (I find that one particularly lame, big corporate firm, though) are some of the titles that include architect, but some others don't use the word at all, to avoid any misunderstanding. So, you get Designer, Draftsman, Assistant Project Manager, Assosciate, Intern, etc from those folks.

Generally, it's considered socially acceptable to refer to yourself as an "architect" if you're trained as one, even if you haven't passed registration yet: if you're asked what you do at a cocktail party, for instance. To do so in any sort of professional capacity without a liscense could land you in some fairly serious legal trouble, however.

[Architect]

you're asked what you do at a cocktail party, for instance


You mean that you tell people that you're in architecture! Could you not make up something more socially acceptable, like drug runner or hired assassin?

[Minadin]

And I've been successfully passing myself off as a Scottish architect ever since...just for the chicks. I slip up with the accent quite a bit, though.


One of my "architect" buddies does a better impression of a Scottsman than he does of an Architect. His accent is really convincing (to a non-Scot, at any rate).

[Minadin]

You mean that you tell people that you're in architecture!


I suppose I could tell them that I'm a JREF ninja . . .

Actually, the worst things about people finding out you're in architecture is that they either 1) ask you to design them a house, or 2) they assume you make a ton of money. It's not like being a lawyer, folks. You can't just pass the test a week after you graduate and sign on to some big firm for $90k per year with no experience.

[Architect]

One of my "architect" buddies does a better impression of a Scottsman than he does of an Architect. His accent is really convincing (to a non-Scot, at any rate).

What, you mean he drinks ferociously then shouts unintelligibly before going for a deep fried pizza supper?


Best North American scottish impression thus far is Mike Myers as his own dad in "So I married an axe murderer". Richard E Grant isn't bad (Warlock) either, mind.

Worst remains (to this day) Scottie from Star Trek.

[Architect]

Actually, the worst things about people finding out you're in architecture is that they either 1) ask you to design them a house, or 2) they assume you make a ton of money. It's not like being a lawyer, folks. You can't just pass the test a week after you graduate and sign on to some big firm for $90k per year with no experience.


:D Yup. Absoulte proof that you're an architect (well almost) for real!


Betcha also find that when people show you their new house, you keep looking at all the dodgy bits and having to bite your tongue.......

[NickUK]

Don't tell me Scottie wasn't scottish....

[Arkan_Wolfshade]

Stuart, "Head! Paper! Now! Move that melon of yours if you can. Hauling that gargantuan cranium about. No kidding. His head's like Sputnik. Spherical, but pointy in parts. That was offside, wasn't it? He'll be crying himself to sleep tonight on his huge pillow."

[CynicalSkeptic]

Best North American scottish impression thus far is Mike Myers as his own dad in "So I married an axe murderer". Richard E Grant isn't bad (Warlock) either, mind.
Where do you rank Robin Williams?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3636435540043947603

[RenaissanceBiker]

When i was in undergrad, i had some ME friends of mine arguing about whether or not the Starship Enterprize could have withstood the crash with earth in the 5th movie (i think 5th movie). They were performing a whole bunch of structural calculations based upon some published ship schematic.

What a complete waste of time. Everyone knows that the Enterprise has shields and inertial dampening systems. These systems can significantly decrease the damage caused by such an impact. Unless their schematic also included specifications for these systems, they simply cannot make an accurate analysis of the structural integrity of the ship.

I'm sorry, what were we talking about?

/another P.E.

[jaydeehess]

What, you mean he drinks ferociously then shouts unintelligibly before going for a deep fried pizza supper?


Best North American scottish impression thus far is Mike Myers as his own dad in "So I married an axe murderer". Richard E Grant isn't bad (Warlock) either, mind.

Worst remains (to this day) Scottie from Star Trek.

Myers' Da' was a Scot, complete with a proper accent IIRC. Thus it is not unusual for him to have got it right.


It is amazing what one can put over on others. In a recent (yawn) human resources course at work we were asked to write down two truths about ourselves and one lie. Then you took your paper around to everyone else in the class one at a time and asked them to point to the statement on your sheet that is the lie. My lie was ," I have a B.Sc. in physics". Although several people in the class knew me personally only one of about the 20 in the class correctly identified the lie. Most picked the truth statement about how old I was when I got married the first time as a lie.

It seems then that I could very easily claim a Bachelor's degree in physics and have very few people even suspect that it is a lie.

[Architect]

Where do you rank Robin Williams?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3636435540043947603

Mrs. Doubtfire: absolutely criminal accent.

Above clip (while since I saw that): You can tell he hangs around with Billy Connolly, as he's trying (with mixed success) to copy a Glasgow (Partick, to be precise) accent.

Accents vary quite widely in Scotland. I tend to sound like one of the locals in Whisky Galore......ochone, ochone.....

[Architect]

Myers' Da' was a Scot, complete with a proper accent IIRC. Thus it is not unusual for him to have got it right.


The "Hoy, Heid" bit is pure genius and bang on the nail.

You'll like these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaxpS4T8sxw&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX_8knnjbbo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jfzbGTvEl8&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2rhQ-G4arg&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iZZLWOGwpA&mode=related&search=

Learn, lads.....

[Architect]

Duplicate post

[Architect]

Oh, and these, for those who wondered what "neds" were:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmZ37TBff1c&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0qjTdn9W9U&mode=related&search=

For Dr. Who fans:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD3Gc9fyQpk&mode=related&search=

And finally, life on a Glasgow scheme (that's a "project" to you Yanks)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrmcxa1yBec

[Architect]

Oh what the heck, one more: a send up of UK religious TV


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbAikjaiiHY

[Architect]

Or how we would survive in America when the NWO takes over....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdsSjllv268

[Crossbow]

Not every engineer is a PE. As a degreed and employed Computer Engineer, I've never bothered to take the PE exam. I've never been asked about it at a job interview. I did (breifly) look into it, just to help pad my resume', but never followed through.

http://www.ece.vt.edu/ugrad/feexam.html

You are quite right! Being a PE is more important in some fields than it is in others (at my work place, for example, when you get your PE, you also get a 15% raise).

In the case of Structural Engineering, then having the PE is quite important indeed.

Therefore, if someone is claiming to be an actual Structural Engineer, then asking about their professional qualifications is a very fair and relevant question when they are discussing something like woo woo stuff.

[Minadin]

What, you mean he drinks ferociously then shouts unintelligibly before going for a deep fried pizza supper?

Actually, yes. It sounds like you know him, too . . . As far as the accents go, he does more of a "Glasgow" accent when he's doing it for comedy, but every once in a while he will throw in what he calls an "Edinbourough" and then a "Highland" accent to illustrate the "sutt-ul" differences. I can't tell if he's blowing smoke or not, my side of the family left the UK about 150 years ago. To me he sounds a lot like Craig Ferguson (from the late-night show here, not his accent from the Drew Carrey show).

[Architect]

Craig Ferguson?

Aha, you mean Bing Hitler!

[Minadin]

That's the guy! (Never heard that name for him though) He's funny as hell.

[jaydeehess]

Learn, lads.....

Well, I did not know that beer and food was so expensive in Scotland. Seems everything costs 24.80
How can you afford to get drunk, or is the minumum wage just realllll good?

:D

[Architect]

Well, I did not know that beer and food was so expensive in Scotland. Seems everything costs 24.80
How can you afford to get drunk, or is the minumum wage just realllll good?

:D


I could answer that question, but it'll cost you £24.80. Special price for our American cousins.....

[jaydeehess]

As far as accents go I have a story to relate but Architect may have to stop reading right now as it has to do with the Welsh, not Scots.

I had two math professors in university, both Welshmen and I remarked (tongue in cheek) to one of them that it did not take long to get used to the accent since both of my math professors had the same accent (my Chem tutor was Vietnamese, now that was tough). The extra exposure made for a quicker uptake. He then remarked that what I said was a little unusual since he was from south Wales and the other prof was from north Wales and he did'nt think they sounded much alike at all.

[jaydeehess]

I could answer that question, but it'll cost you £24.80. Special price for our American cousins.....


Hmmm, but I ain't a Yank, nor am I from Toronto like the two in the clip.

[Architect]

Northern Welshman tend to have a more anglified accent, whereas the South is very, very broad.

But of course, Anthony Hopkins appears to have no accent at all so there you go.......ditto Richard Burton, who was from coal mining country in the deep South.

[Architect]

Hmmm, but I ain't a Yank, nor am I from Toronto like the two in the clip.


Damn, I should have said "north" American. :boxedin:

But you're Canadian?

Nae problem, that'll be £23.40 then, please. ;)

[jaydeehess]

Damn, I should have said "north" American. :boxedin:

But you're Canadian?

Nae problem, that'll be £23.40 then, please. ;)

Oh, a discount for Commonwealth members is it, or do you just take pity on us for living so close to the Yanks then?

[Architect]

Think of it as a reward for living so close but keeping your temper!

[jaydeehess]

Och, my internal voice takes on a Scottish accent when I am addressing you online, and its probably terrible.:D

[Architect]

Jings, crivens, help ma boab.

Don't worry, I have to fight the temptation to listen to my internal voices too........ooops

[Architect]

But it could be worse, I could break into horse French.......:dig:

[Gravy]

Accents vary quite widely in Scotland. I tend to sound like one of the locals in Whisky Galore......ochone, ochone.....One of my top 10 favorite films! Just a perfect little Ealing movie. Almost unknown in the States, though (it was released here as Tight Little Island.) For years I owned a washed-out VHS copy, but there's a good DVD version out now.

"It's a well known fact that some men were born two drinks below par."

Mother (paraphrased): "I'm told there are also cannibals in Africa, but no son of mine is going to eat human flesh!"

[Architect]

Trivia Fact about Whisky Galore no.1:

James Robertson Justice was, despite his English accent, from a Western Isles family and spoke Gaelic. One day the wee Barra nyaffs tried to talk about him in what can only be perjorative terms assuming he couldn't understand. Apparently they were ever so shocket to get a Gaelic bollocking followed by a swift kick up the mas.

No.2:

Although the real sinking happened on Eriskay (popn. 10 folk and a dog), the film was shot on Barra (next island southwards) because it had pubs and everything.

If you've never visited Barra, you need to do so. The ferry runs from Oban through the Sound of Mull (past Duart Castle), then skirts Tiree and Coll, before cutting up the very souther (uninhabited) end of the archipeligo (or, as we say in Gaelic, archipeligo)

Alternatively, if you fly, the runway is actually the beach! Most folk assume it's only used when the sand is dry, but it's a very very soft sand so they actually only use it when there's 6 inches of water. It's like the worlds wildest car wash!


Trivia rant over. I should indicate that I actually come from further north in the islands, North Uist........

[Architect]

Incidentally, if you like Uisge-beatha Gu Leor then you seriously need to see:

1. Local Hero

2. Gregory's Girl.

3. Restless Natives.

[Gravy]

Thanks for the trivia. I didn't know that about Robertson. People really need to see the film. It's delightful.

I've walked across England, Wales, and Ireland, so Scotland must be next. I've been avoiding it until my proclivity for Lagavulin is under control.

[Architect]

Well, when you make it we'll have a beer together and I'll show you the alcoholic delights of Glasgow. Unless I'm in the Manchester office, of course.


You mean you've never really seen "Local Hero"?????!?????

It's got Burt Lancaster and everything!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_Hero




(Architect: Sponsored by Bord Turasachd na-h-Alba/The Scottish Tourist Board and the Scot's Language Society)

[Architect]

Incidentally, this is a fairly typical view of the Sound of Mull.....

[JimBenArm]

Incidentally, this is a fairly typical view of the Sound of Mull.....

This is what makes me wish I had spent some time in the Atlantic fleet. Got to see lots of the Orient, but never got to see any of Europe or the UK. Never could get stationed at Holy Loch sub base, dammit!

[Architect]

Yea, but Holy Loch is next to Dunoon (which is a dump) and looks over the Greenock (which makes Dunoon look nice).

You know that your former colleagues just dumped all their crap off the floating dock when the left, including (famously) a jeep and it cost the Scottish government an absolute fortune to clean it up?

Buy me a beer to make up for it, or else! I want my tax pounds back!





Mind you, if you want to see a real blot on the landscape, Faslane (where our Nuclear Subs are based) is truly, deeply, astoundingly bad. There's a running joke that the English don't want to give us independence because they'd have to build something just as bad in their country.......

[JimBenArm]

Yea, but Holy Loch is next to Dunoon (which is a dump) and looks over the Greenock (which makes Dunoon look nice).

You know that your former colleagues just dumped all their crap off the floating dock when the left, including (famously) a jeep and it cost the Scottish government an absolute fortune to clean it up?

Buy me a beer to make up for it, or else! I want my tax pounds back!





Mind you, if you want to see a real blot on the landscape, Faslane (where our Nuclear Subs are based) is truly, deeply, astoundingly bad. There's a running joke that the English don't want to give us independence because they'd have to build something just as bad in their country.......

Well, if that's all it's going to cost, no problem! Least I can do!

[Architect]

Since I'm in a trivia mood.

US air bases in the UK used to drive on the right, which meant they had to switch sides at the gates. They also specially imported all the food, except meat, and got to pay for everything in dollars.

[Gravy]

You mean you've never really seen "Local Hero"?????!?????C'mon, I've even seen "Geordie." But "Local Hero" I saw it on a plane after walking across other parts of Europe. Not the ideal viewing conditions, so I'll have to rent it one of these days.

[Architect]

C'mon, I've even seen "Geordie." But "Local Hero" I saw it on a plane after walking across other parts of Europe. Not the ideal viewing conditions, so I'll have to rent it one of these days.

Famous lines:

1. I'm not from around here, you know.

2. That rabbit had a name! Two names!

3. Is there one, or two, Ls in Dollar? I don't know, but there's two Gs in "bugger off".

Restless Natives is another classic; two unemployed Scots disguise themselves and start holding up busloads of American tourists (no offence meant) on remote Highland roads. They end up a tourist attraction until Ned Beatty (a slighted CIA man) tries to catch them. Big Country sound track too!

[jaydeehess]

The ferry runs from Oban through the Sound of Mull (past Duart Castle), then skirts Tiree and Coll, before cutting up the very souther (uninhabited) end of the archipeligo (or, as we say in Gaelic, archipeligo)


Well now I recognize "Oban".:D

I'va also sampled Lagavulin and Islay whiskys. At first I considered them fit only for sterilizing medical instruments but I did notice that one quickly develops a taste for them about the time one starts on the third shot and later that day when switching back to Glenfiddich I found that I longed for the harder kick in the teeth of the Islay (Bunnahabin IIRC) whisky we were downing earlier. My wife's former brother in law though, who is a die hard Rye whisky drinker, did inquire late that night, "how much of this stuff do you have to drink before it tastses good?"

[jaydeehess]

North Uist, you're almost in Newfoundland!

Canadian trivia. The reserved residence of the leader of the opposition in the Canadian Gov't is named Stornoway. Named after an area not that far from you I believe. Its in the western Isles I believe.

[Architect]

Its the capital of the Western Isles, proper name Steornobhagh and pronounced Shtorno-vag

[8den]

Well now I recognize "Oban".:D

I'va also sampled Lagavulin and Islay whiskys. At first I considered them fit only for sterilizing medical instruments but I did notice that one quickly develops a taste for them about the time one starts on the third shot and later that day when switching back to Glenfiddich I found that I longed for the harder kick in the teeth of the Islay (Bunnahabin IIRC) whisky we were downing earlier. My wife's former brother in law though, who is a die hard Rye whisky drinker, did inquire late that night, "how much of this stuff do you have to drink before it tastses good?"

Never developed a taste for whisky, I'm a whiskey man myself, usual tipple is bushmills, though a few years ago was given a bottle of Jameson's Millenium Malt, put down in 1975. Smooth and yet smokey at the same time.

[uk_dave]

This thread will now be printed and bound and issued by the Scottish Tourist & Drinking Board to anyone who applies.

(CTers need not apply)

och aye!

[Mashuna]

Northern Welshman tend to have a more anglified accent, whereas the South is very, very broad.



This is very true. Until you get to the North West of Wales, especially around Caernarfon and Pwllheli, where you meet a lot of people who never really speak english, then their accent is that of an aggrieved welsh person, annoyed at having to use some johnny-come-lately language like english.

[Arkan_Wolfshade]

Never developed a taste for whisky, I'm a whiskey man myself, usual tipple is bushmills, though a few years ago was given a bottle of Jameson's Millenium Malt, put down in 1975. Smooth and yet smokey at the same time.
I've only tried Dahlwhinnie before, any other recommendations for us USians?

Though I do have to prolifically thank you for the invention of Fraoch Heather Ale (http://www.heatherale.co.uk/) as it is, by far, my favorite summertime beer.

[Big Les]

What, you mean he drinks ferociously then shouts unintelligibly before going for a deep fried pizza supper?


Best North American scottish impression thus far is Mike Myers as his own dad in "So I married an axe murderer". Richard E Grant isn't bad (Warlock) either, mind.

Worst remains (to this day) Scottie from Star Trek.

What about "Ah cannae swim ya Spanish peacock!" Points if you can name the film without Googling it ;)

[Big Les]

Since I'm in a trivia mood.

US air bases in the UK used to drive on the right, which meant they had to switch sides at the gates. They also specially imported all the food, except meat, and got to pay for everything in dollars.

Not sure about the side of the road thing, but AFAIK the rest still applies at Lakenheath and Mildenhall. I'm told the burgers at the latter's air day were fantastic (and cheap!).

[Architect]

What about "Ah cannae swim ya Spanish peacock!" Points if you can name the film without Googling it ;)



Bonjour....je suis Connor MacLeod de Clan MacLeod......il'y'seulement l'un!

[Big Les]

Ah, if only there had been. Only one, that is.

I'm still learning the ropes up here myself; moved from Doon Sooth 6 months or so ago.

[maccy]

Back on topic, for what its worth: Architect, did you get to post on that Urban75 board?

[Horatius]

I've only tried Dahlwhinnie before, any other recommendations for us USians?

Though I do have to prolifically thank you for the invention of Fraoch Heather Ale (http://www.heatherale.co.uk/) as it is, by far, my favorite summertime beer.

If you like that, you could try Cardhu, which is similar, and has what I think is the nicest bottle of all. Fits my hand just perfect, so no fears of spilling the later drinks.... :)


http://www.beerliquors.com/buy/liquors/cardhu.htm

[Architect]

Yea, but they're all flaming each other so I've not got very far yet.

[Arkan_Wolfshade]

If you like that, you could try Cardhu, which is similar, and has what I think is the nicest bottle of all. Fits my hand just perfect, so no fears of spilling the later drinks.... :)


http://www.beerliquors.com/buy/liquors/cardhu.htm
Oooh, thankee. I'll give it a go.

[Architect]

I only drink Whisky (remember, never called Scotch in Scotland) when social occasion absolutely demands it, because I dinnae like the taste (how embaressing is that for a Gael, eh?)

Anyway my father says that the problem is that you have to take a long, well-planned run at Whisky if you're to like it. Start with some of the very gentle blends, but of water with it, and then gradually work your way through to the much stronger tastes such as the peatier Speyside or Islay malts.

I'm told that some of the Skye Whiskies such as Te Beag are rather nice for beginners). But maybe I just like the Gaelic language branding....

In my brief time at the Civil Service, I counted Dallas Dhu amongst my charges (fire action plan, don't ye know). And I used to live in Kilmarnock, from whence hails Johnnie Walkers.

[Architect]

Incidentally, just for a laugh, this is what Irn Bru is. Stick with the ads, they're deliberately taking the piss.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pFodgI3tnA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wMs5bUkjO0&mode=related&search=

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soV0h5Zl-aE&mode=related&search=

[Arkan_Wolfshade]

I only drink Whisky (remember, never called Scotch in Scotland) when social occasion absolutely demands it, because I dinnae like the taste (how embaressing is that for a Gael, eh?)

Anyway my father says that the problem is that you have to take a long, well-planned run at Whisky if you're to like it. Start with some of the very gentle blends, but of water with it, and then gradually work your way through to the much stronger tastes such as the peatier Speyside or Islay malts.

I'm told that some of the Skye Whiskies such as Te Beag are rather nice for beginners). But maybe I just like the Gaelic language branding....

In my brief time at the Civil Service, I counted Dallas Dhu amongst my charges (fire action plan, don't ye know). And I used to live in Kilmarnock, from whence hails Johnnie Walkers.

Though not experienced in whisky I've got a pretty good palate:
Dahlwhinnie
Grey Goose
Belvedere
Chopin
Glacier
Beam
Jack
Drambuie
more beer and wine than I can possibly name. So, I don't worry too much that any particular beer or fine spirit will be to "advanced" for me.

[R.Mackey]

Anyway my father says that the problem is that you have to take a long, well-planned run at Whisky if you're to like it. Start with some of the very gentle blends, but of water with it, and then gradually work your way through to the much stronger tastes such as the peatier Speyside or Islay malts.

I'm told that some of the Skye Whiskies such as Te Beag are rather nice for beginners). But maybe I just like the Gaelic language branding....

In my brief time at the Civil Service, I counted Dallas Dhu amongst my charges (fire action plan, don't ye know). And I used to live in Kilmarnock, from whence hails Johnnie Walkers.
Listen to this man, he is wise.

Don't start with Lagavulin or Laphroaig, whatever you do. You won't appreciate them until you have a frame of reference.

My favorites run between the two poles of Islays and Speysides, never cared so much for straight Highland or Lowland whisky. Coel Ila and Balvenie are good representatives that aren't too hard to find, too expensive, or difficult to drink.

The Aberlour A'bunadh, available in the US at about $70 a bottle, is a full cask-strength (60% alcohol) whisky that is surprisingly easy to drink. Even first-timers to hard liquor of any kind seem to like it. It's a fairly one-note, honey flavoured whisky, but quite a revelation in terms of what whisky can do. Worth trying.

Last year I was privileged to visit bonnie Scotland. Cadenhead's in Edinburgh set me up with a cask-strength Mortlach that would knock your socks off. Not for beginners, but it's come out on top in several impromptu blind tasting sessions... ah, to visit the Highlands again.

(from an official Fake ScotsmanTM)

[Architect]

My favorites run between the two poles of Islays and Speysides, never cared so much for straight Highland or Lowland whisky. Coel Ila and Balvenie are good representatives that aren't too hard to find, too expensive, or difficult to drink.



It might just just be the way you phrased that, but Speyside is in the Highlands!

What do you mean straight?! The only thing that should ever be mixed with Whisky in polite company is water (incl. ice). Adding coke is the only remaining capital offence in Scotland. :) Which is a shame, because I thought that blends were okay with Irn Bru.

Edinburgh is okay - sort of Scotland Lite and full of Englishmen - and there are a number of pubs with microbreweries doing really good beers. 90 Shilling and so on.

[R.Mackey]

It might just just be the way you phrased that, but Speyside is in the Highlands!

What do you mean straight?! The only thing that should ever be mixed with Whisky in polite company is water (incl. ice). Adding coke is the only remaining capital offence in Scotland. :) Which is a shame, because I thought that blends were okay with Irn Bru.
You are correct, of course. The boundaries for what's considered "Highland Whisky" always seemed a bit arbitrary to me. That's all I meant by "straight." I strictly take it neat, personally.

Edinburgh is okay - sort of Scotland Lite and full of Englishmen - and there are a number of pubs with microbreweries doing really good beers. 90 Shilling and so on.
We were there for Hogmanay. Made some brief forays out to Killin, Doune, around Loch Tay, etc but certainly would like to see more. The pubs, though, quite excellent in Edinburgh.

[Architect]

One of the best things about Edinburgh is the pubs, Rose Street and perhaps the Grassmarket aside. Great atmosphere in almost any pub you go to. Glasgow is more hit and miss, but if you find a good pub then they tend to be a lot frendlier. And cheaper!


You know I laugh when I see some of the whiskies from Scotland's equivalents of the Ruhr valley, complete with mythical pretyt pictures of the distillery. Glen Catrine, for example. Johnnie Walker of course just avoiuds mentioning Kilmarnock!

Please tell me you tried proper Scottish beer when you were over....Tennents, 90 Shilling, Caledonian, Gillespies, Deuchers.......(sigh)

[R.Mackey]

Please tell me you tried proper Scottish beer when you were over....Tennents, 90 Shilling, Caledonian, Gillespies, Deuchers.......(sigh)
Absolutely. All of those and a few others... Arran and Belhaven Best I remember for sure, rather liked the Caledonian and 90 Shilling. Probably more. We must have spent a couple of days cumulative in the pubs...

[Architect]

Some of the Arran ones are rather nice, I must admit. Rare to see it in pubs. I've been at the brewery a few times, returning on the ferry rather loaded down.


We must have spent a couple of days cumulative in the pub


You say that like its a bad thing!

[R.Mackey]

You say that like its a bad thing!
Not one bit, it's just... amazing where the time goes.

That's the only vacation I've been on where I never started to feel like going home.

[Architect]

I'm getting a fair drooth (thirst) just thinking about it!

[jhunter1163]

My mother, God rest her soul, managed a liquor store here in the States for many years. The only thing she would ever touch herself was Courvoisier Grande Fine. $100 a bottle in 1980's money, but when I became of age to try it, I could see why. I only wish I could afford to indulge my taste for it... *wistful sigh*

[Big Les]

Edinburgh is okay - sort of Scotland Lite and full of Englishmen

Including yours truly, I'm afraid to say. Well, I work there, anyway. I hide in the surrounding countryside otherwise, stockpiling Tunnocks. Mmmmm....Tunnocks...