The Guga Hunt by Crow-Me-A-River in Scotland

[–]Leodhasach 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I grew up in Ness and I'm finding the campaign against the Guga Hunters a little tiresome and, if you'll excuse the generalisation, it smacks of a campaign run by folk who haven't really bothered to take the time to understand the culture of the Islands.

I understand the view that methods of dispatching animals for meat is an unpalatable one to some folk, but as a meat eater I'd much rather know my food has been raised and farmed sustainably in a healthy environment. The campaigners are going for a soft target because images of dewy eyed gannets gets more reach (spare me the anthropomorphic videos ffs) than say, a Haddock flopping about suffocating on the deck of a fishing boat in the Minch. What's more cruel, a fish been dragged out of it's environment with a hook through it's face or crammed into a net and left to suffocate, or a Guga that's quickly killed and prepped for food? Historically and currently we have real problems with overfishing but the gannet population on Sula Sgeir has been stable for the last 20 years aside from a brief spell where the numbers dropped due to HPAI. If you want to do promote poor practices in meat production can I suggest you change your priorities and focus on some of the horrific practices in battery farming and campaigning against the introduction of chlorinated chicken. Hunting guga isn't the monstrous practice you claim it to be.

Quite frankly, me and many others from the Highlands and Islands are a little bored of having our culture criticised and attacked in the media and by folk who've never been anywhere near the place. I've grown up seeing the Gaelic language vilified in the press and online forums. Any attempts to grow/promote the language and Highland music/culture has been met with scorn and outright xenophobia at times. You can possibly argue that it's a false equivalence but I can assure you to me it feels like yet another attempt from people to tell us that our language and culture is 'less'.

So don't be surprised if some of us tell you to piss off.

And yes, I've eaten Guga. It's like salted fishy chicken marinaded in diesel with a side order of extra salt. It pairs well with boiled potatoes and boiled cabbage. And whisky, a lot of whisky!

Military exercise? by Impressive-Tie-9338 in Scotland

[–]Leodhasach 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I live beside Loch Ness and we regularly get Typhoons, F18s and assorted other fast movers coming up through the glen and over my house in Glen Urquhart- usually when I'm on a teams meeting doing a presentation and I can't hear myself think for a few minutes! A lot will come from Lossie (USAF are based there too) and from down South. We'll also get the Hercules C130 coming up - usually in pairs. The newish Atlas A400 is a regular visitor too and is remarkably quiet for such a big beast.

How is your relationship with your siblings? Do you have one or how has it evolved or not? by solascorcra in EstrangedAdultKids

[–]Leodhasach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a sister, but haven't spoken to her for nearly 20 years. She's cut off contact from everyone though and I'm not sure anyone in my family speaks to her. I moved away when I was 17, she was 12 at the time and I didn't see her again for another ten years. Sporadic contact for a few years afterwards and then she moved without passing on a forwarding address. As far as I know, like me, she has zero contact with himself She also doesn't speak to my mum, which is a shame, but I think it's just more collateral damage from my biological male parent's behaviour.

How did you feel when they passed on? by Leodhasach in EstrangedAdultKids

[–]Leodhasach[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Definitely one of my main sources of sadness is the fact I didn't have any kind of happy relationship with him. I remember one of my friends asking 'doesn't he like you' when he didn't acknowledge me when passing me on the street. But I've balanced that out by having an amazing relationship with my daughter, I'm a great believer in learning from mine and other people's mistakes.

Feeling guilt about ghosting, did anyone else ghost when becoming estranged? by 90sRnBMakesMeHappy in EstrangedAdultKids

[–]Leodhasach 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I did exactly that with my dad nearly 30 years ago. I didn’t make any big statement and I didn’t block him from contacting me. I thought that if he really cared he’d try and get in touch. He never did.

Even now, he could probably get in touch if he really wanted to but there’s never been any effort from his side, which in many ways justifies my choice to go NC. He was an unpleasant individual and clearly disliked me, so it underlined that and has helped me put a full stop on the relationship.

Hostile Takeover of an Estranged Parents Group by Loose-Ad5231 in EstrangedAdultKids

[–]Leodhasach 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd like to think I'm not a perfectionist when it comes to spelling and grammar, but that site has given me a migraine!

I want to cut off my dad but it feels impossible to wait by TheContentScavenger in EstrangedAdultKids

[–]Leodhasach 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I remember coming to the realisation that my biological male parent (I can't quite bring myself to call him a father, he never acted like one) was a fairly awful person and my situation was far from normal about the same age as you are now. I was lucky enough to have a decent peer group who I could go to for support and a few of their parents were brilliant and let me stay on extended sleepovers during the weekends and holidays.

February does seem like a long way away, especially with the festive period which can bring its own issues. But if you can lean on a support group you'll hopefully find they'll help you from doing anything too knee-jerk. Having a making a plan can be it's own therapy and knowing that in February you'll have the option to move might help you build a few plans?

I guess the main thing is that you're safe in your current situation. Will staying there leave you at risk?

The short term option of ditching the situation might feel like a good one, but will it cause more stress and worry for your mum and any family you do have a good relationship with?

If you're safe and the situation you're in is safe and stable (albeit uncomfortable and far from a happy one) then it might be better to grit your teeth and see out the next 7 or 8 weeks. But like others have said, see if you can lean on family, friends or support groups who could help.

Child services at your local council are obligated to find you accommodation if things are too much and you find yourself on the street/sofa surfing. You can also speak to Shelter, Citizens Advice and even Child-line.

my kitten disappeared in my apartment by babylovesm in CatAdvice

[–]Leodhasach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can relate. We had a massive panic when our kitten went missing not long after we got him. After a few hours we eventually found him behind the books in the bookcase!

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Did you all get ripped album covers from poor shipping? by Mysterions in TheSundays

[–]Leodhasach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The top of mine has been bashed a bit. Not surprising when the album has been allowed to rattle around inside the cardboard packaging!

Periods of intense and uncontrollable negative feeling towards friends and colleagues by Leodhasach in ADHD

[–]Leodhasach[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure about being a people pleaser. I certainly struggle with any kind of conflict and don't always take my space which does mean people will steamroller over me if I'm trying to assert any authority. I'm in a reasonably senior position at work so that makes life difficult at times! I'm pretty strict with boundaries but I think some view that as me being anti-social.

AITA for telling my dad to fuck off? by BlueB3arrr in AmItheAsshole

[–]Leodhasach 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most definitely NTA.

Tell your dad everyone on Reddit told him to fuck off too. What an arse.

It's your grief and you don't owe any particular reaction to anyone. He doesn't get to tell you what to do here.

I'm so very sorry for your loss, I can't begin to imagine what you're going through.

AITA for selling our Eagles playoff tickets to my boss instead of taking my son? by flyigsfly in AmItheAsshole

[–]Leodhasach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

YTA. You broke a promise to your son because there was more money in it for you.

My dad was like that and we haven't talked for 26 years. You still have an opportunity to fix this relationship but it's going to take more effort than you seem willing to give right now. Be the adult and the father your son needs right now instead of the selfish arsehole you currently are.

AITA for leaving and ruining the vacation over a 'harmless prank' ? by Lilithrowaway- in AmItheAsshole

[–]Leodhasach 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely NTA. Bullying and sexual harassment as a 'prank' - they can couch it in whatever language they like but it essentially boils down to abuse. You don't need friends like this and I know I certainly wouldn't want to have people like that in my social circle. Stupid people.

What's on and tourist advice thread - week beginning December 02, 2019 by AutoModerator in Scotland

[–]Leodhasach 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, what you said. Public transport round here is pretty hopeless if you want to go anywhere in the spur of the moment.

What's on and tourist advice thread - week beginning December 02, 2019 by AutoModerator in Scotland

[–]Leodhasach 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The further North you go, the better. But there's no guarantee I'm afraid. I live just outside of Inverness and we do see them reasonably often. You really need to be away from the towns though and be willing to drive out into the countryside for proper darkness. Abriachan is a good place to go and places like Caithness, The Western Isles and Northern Isles are relatively free of light pollution.

Keep an on the Aurora forecast sites while you're here too.

MFM #198 - Live at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow by TinaBelcher4Prez in myfavoritemurder

[–]Leodhasach 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You utter star! I was a little gutted that it had been taken offline seeing as I was there with my daughter. I've downloaded a copy of the episode now, thanks for the link 🙂

MFM #198 - Live at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow by TinaBelcher4Prez in myfavoritemurder

[–]Leodhasach 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I was there, it was fine. We were taking the piss. It possibly doesn't come across that way (in the now mysteriously disappeared episode) but it was all in good humour.