This collection was inspired by Terry Tynski, a local resident of Ayr. Terry was ordered by council bosses to tear up his garden because it featured a Saltire made up of blue slate and white paving stones. With the support of local and national newspapers Terry managed to convince the council to reverse their decision.
There are many reasons to be proud to be Scottish and given that we are a warm but self effacing nation, we should encourage and take every opportunity to show how proud we are of our identity.
This story also captures the spirit of another Scottish trait which is embodied in the Latin phrase Nemo me impune lacessit which is the motto of the Order of the Thistle and of the three Scottish regiments of the British Army. Translated, it means “No one harms me without consequences”. According to legend, the phrase derives from the "guardian thistle" which played its part in the defence of the ancient realm of Scotland against a night attack by the Danes, one of whom let out a yell of pain when he stepped on a prickly thistle, thus alerting the Scottish defenders.
The spirit represented in this Latin phrase allows the Scots to be both proud and self deprecating without fear and this is what creates the Scots’ unique charm of being tough, independent, strong and able to laugh at themselves.
Whether you choose to wear Saltire or Nemo me impune lacessit you will be expressing that you are proud to be Scottish.
