Finished!

I feel that it is appropriate that I finished my "Scotland: The Story of a Nation" book the day before I leave for Stirling. Perfect timing, right? For those of you who don't know, this dense, 692 page book has been my constant companion for the last few months. Okay...well, not constant. The closer I got to the end of summer though, the more constant it became. I was determined to finish it before I began my semester abroad. Although I started it pretty hesitantly (not even a history major can find Pictish kings THAT interesting), the further I read, the more I found myself enjoying the content. I fell head over heals in love with Mary, Queen of Scots (cliche, I know). I got goose bumps while reading about the Covenanters (look them up). And (confession time) I got a little teary when I read about the last Parliament in 1707.

I thought I would share a funny quote with you. Charles II had numerous mistresses, one of them being Nell Gwyn, a Protestant. At the time, there was quite a lot of hostility towards Catholics. One day she was in her carriage and was stoned by people who thought she was one of the Catholic mistresses. She lowered her window and said: "Pray, good people, be civil. I am the Protestant whore!"