Hello From Scotland

[navigator]

I was diagnosed yesterday and spending the day on the net trying to absorp as much information as possible. There seems to be so much to learn and it's great being able to benefit from the knowledge of people who've been diagnosed for a while.

[kareng]

  On 5/7/2011 at 1:15 PM, navigator said:

I was diagnosed yesterday and spending the day on the net trying to absorp as much information as possible. There seems to be so much to learn and it's great being able to benefit from the knowledge of people who've been diagnosed for a while.

Welcome to the party!

[nikki-uk]

  On 5/7/2011 at 1:15 PM, navigator said:

I was diagnosed yesterday and spending the day on the net trying to absorp as much information as possible. There seems to be so much to learn and it's great being able to benefit from the knowledge of people who've been diagnosed for a while.

Good evening!

Whereabouts in Scotland are you?

There's lots of info to be had here and you're in good company!

Any questions, fire away!

[cahill]

Welcome

[navigator]

  On 5/7/2011 at 5:44 PM, nikki-uk said:

Good evening!

Whereabouts in Scotland are you?

There's lots of info to be had here and you're in good company!

Any questions, fire away!

I live in Lanark. Can I drink malt whisky?I'd assumed that I couldn't due to ingredients but today someone told me that due to distillation process I can - don't want to drink it unless I've go 100% that it's ok but missing a wee dram of Highland Park!!! I'm sure that over the next few weeks I'llk have many more questions. At Tesco tonight I discovered that, contrary to my expectations, that I couldn't have Hellman's mayonaise, mustard or Lea & Perrins. It's a steep learning curve. This forum is a godsend.

[kareng]

  On 5/7/2011 at 9:11 PM, navigator said:

I live in Lanark. Can I drink malt whisky?I'd assumed that I couldn't due to ingredients but today someone told me that due to distillation process I can - don't want to drink it unless I've go 100% that it's ok but missing a wee dram of Highland Park!!! I'm sure that over the next few weeks I'llk have many more questions. At Tesco tonight I discovered that, contrary to my expectations, that I couldn't have Hellman's mayonaise, mustard or Lea & Perrins. It's a steep learning curve. This forum is a godsend.

Here's one thing you are really going to hate! Those things are mostly gluten-free in the States.

[navigator]

Thanks to everyone who's replied. I'm sure I'll have lots more questions over the coming months! My daughter was diagnosed with coeliac two years ago and I thought I was fairly well up on it. However,as she was diagnosed after her marriage I just haven't got the knowledge that I would've had if she been still living with me. It's obviously a constant learning thing. We spent an hour on the phone yesterday and between that and being on here, I'm feeling much calmer.

[nikki-uk]

  On 5/8/2011 at 9:55 AM, navigator said:

Thanks to everyone who's replied. I'm sure I'll have lots more questions over the coming months! My daughter was diagnosed with coeliac two years ago and I thought I was fairly well up on it. However,as she was diagnosed after her marriage I just haven't got the knowledge that I would've had if she been still living with me. It's obviously a constant learning thing. We spent an hour on the phone yesterday and between that and being on here, I'm feeling much calmer.

Time for your daughter to teach you!!

The whisky thing - you're right in saying the distillation process doesn't allow gluten to pass through...BUT some coeliacs find that they can't tolerate it for what ever reason.

Trial and error

As you're in the UK have you joined Coeliac UK (useful if only at first for the 'handbook of approved foods)

Open Original Shared Link

and you may also find this UK message board useful for any specific foody questions that can't be answered here

Open Original Shared Link

I don't know Lanark - but quite possibly have passed through on one of our trips to Scotland (mainly Edinburgh or Inverness)

I LOVE Scotland!!

Oh, just thought. There is usually a gluten-free version of Worcestshire sauce available in the 'Free From' section in Tescos

[navigator]

Hi Nikki,

Thanks for your reply. I joined coeliac.uk within two years of being diagnosed on Friday. My daughter is being really helpful and I think she's enjoying being the one helping me! Lanark isn't too far from Edinburgh, about an hour in the car. Next time you're up I would recommend a visit to New Lanark Conservation Village and World Heritage site,if you have the time.

Our Tesco doesn't have a Lea & Perrins alternative in the free from section but now I know that there is one, I'll check whenever I'm near bigger stores.

I think for now I'll give the malt whisky a miss just to be on the safe side.

Isobel

[NoodleUnit]

Thought I'd pop in and say hello from Fife I'm just a wee bit north of Edinburgh but originally from the Highlands. In fact some of my family back in the Highlands are looking at the problems they've had through their lives through a new lens now because of my problems and things are starting to fall into place. Like you, just recently discovered I have Coeliac Disease and am struggling to get past all the early pitfalls.

Anyway, hi, I was also quite chuffed to discover I could have a wee nip of Glenmorangie of an evening...

[love2travel]

Greetings from Canada! I know Lanark. Scotland is one of my favourite countries on the planet. My first trip overseas was to Scotland and I've been there many times. There just are no words to describe the pull it has on me. The castles are the best there are - I've been to over 125 in Europe. I can think of nothing as atmospheric as a brooding castle with sheep bleating in the background, misty skies and a lone piper playing. Each time I hear the pipes I get goosebumps.

Noodle, whereabouts in Fife are you? I've been to Fife several times and am smitten with the region.

[NoodleUnit]

Hi love2travel!

I'm based in Dalgety Bay right now. It's got a great school for my kid but if I'm honest nothing much else to speak of. It's known as Edinburgh's spawning ground for good reason I used to live in North Queensferry, right by the water and in between the Forth Bridges though, that was when I fell in love with Fife really.

[navigator]

Hi NoodleUnit and love2Travel. NoodleUnit - where in the Highlands are you originally from? My husband, Alan, and I often go away for the weekends to the highlands. Lanark is quite a good base to get away from for a weekend. We also spent the fortnight of our honeymoon(married last September)touring and included the Hebrides and Orkney.

love2travel - Have you ever been to Lanark during the Lanimer celebrations? Which part of Canada are you from? I'm never been out of europe - tend to do our holidays in Scotland, South of France and Germany. I've also been to Austria, which was really beautiful and 30 years ago did a cruise in the med.

[love2travel]

  On 5/30/2011 at 11:37 PM, NoodleUnit said:

Hi love2travel!

I'm based in Dalgety Bay right now. It's got a great school for my kid but if I'm honest nothing much else to speak of. It's known as Edinburgh's spawning ground for good reason I used to live in North Queensferry, right by the water and in between the Forth Bridges though, that was when I fell in love with Fife really.

Interesting description - have never been there. But at least you are near wonderful beauty! Where I live one must drive several hours to get anywhere/see anything of interest.

[love2travel]

  On 5/31/2011 at 8:01 AM, navigator said:

Hi NoodleUnit and love2Travel. NoodleUnit - where in the Highlands are you originally from? My husband, Alan, and I often go away for the weekends to the highlands. Lanark is quite a good base to get away from for a weekend. We also spent the fortnight of our honeymoon(married last September)touring and included the Hebrides and Orkney.

love2travel - Have you ever been to Lanark during the Lanimer celebrations? Which part of Canada are you from? I'm never been out of europe - tend to do our holidays in Scotland, South of France and Germany. I've also been to Austria, which was really beautiful and 30 years ago did a cruise in the med.

No, I have not been to Lanimer - will google it as I have not heard of it! I live in northern Alberta (oil country). My travels have taken me to Germany, Austria, France, Liechtenstein, England, Scotland, Wales, Croatia, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovena - several return visits. After the first time in Europe (Scotland) we fell so hard in love we knew we would live in Europe someday. In fact, our first choice was Scotland but when looking at the cost of living and housing we changed our minds. So, on our first trip to Croatia we fell in love again! The housing is still very expensive but not as outrageous as other countries. We bought a house in Istria three years ago and now go there twice a year. It is nice and central for visiting other countries, too. We look forward to visiting more Central and Eastern European countries. We just returned to Canada last week and already miss the way of life. The pace is MUCH slower.

However, Croatia does not have many gluten-free items in stores so I take along snacks. We do go out to restaurants where there are grills and spits and buy fresh stuff to cook at our house. We LOVE it and cannot wait to move there permanently.

[NoodleUnit]

  On 5/31/2011 at 2:27 PM, love2travel said:

Interesting description - have never been there. But at least you are near wonderful beauty! Where I live one must drive several hours to get anywhere/see anything of interest.

Heh - I don't think anything will ever match the view we had in North Queensferry. The Forth Rail Bridge in all its glory out of our living room window, and the waters of the Firth of Forth lapping against the garden wall. I miss it a lot, but the place we had was too small with a baby on the way so we had to move.

  On 5/31/2011 at 8:01 AM, navigator said:

NoodleUnit - where in the Highlands are you originally from? My husband, Alan, and I often go away for the weekends to the highlands. Lanark is quite a good base to get away from for a weekend. We also spent the fortnight of our honeymoon(married last September)touring and included the Hebrides and Orkney.

I was born in Thurso on the north coast and grew up in a small fishing village called Hilton of Cadboll, near Tain which in turn is about 30 - 40 miles north of Inverness. Our house was literally right next to the beach, that was a spectacular place to be as a young boy I can tell you. There's a slim chance we might be moving north again soon, even the thought of it has me excited

I've got lots of relatives on Barra and the Uists; my dad spent his early years on Barra, didn't speak a word of English until he was five, only Gaelic up 'til then. I think I know maybe two words of Gaelic myself

I have to agree, btw, the world heritage village at New Lanark is spectacular. Been a couple of years since I've been but my goodness what a place! It manages to combine extreme historical significance with natural beauty in a way nowhere else can match imo. I remember one visit there, involved us looking through the mill, walking up a spectacular cliffside to some amazing waterfalls, past some nesting birds of prey, and then on the way back we spotted a family of otters. Well worth the trip.

[love2travel]

Thurso? I've been there! Lovely area. What a dream it would be to move back there!! I hope you are able to.

[navigator]

Well, you've certainly picked your username well love2travel!! We love to travel but don't cover different countries the way that you do. Our favourite travelling is done within Scotland - such a beautiful country.

Noodleunit - we've been up Tain way a lot. A couple of weekends ago we were at Orkney. We stayed overnight at Inverness on the way up and then got ferry from Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope. On the way home we stayed at Invergarry. Last year was my first time in the Hebrides but it certainly won't be the last. We got the ferry from Skye to Lochmaddy then drove down and stayed in Lochboisdale. We then drove up and got the Berneray ferry. Harris was beautiful - such beaches!. We then went up to Stornoway and after an overnight got ferry to Ullapool. Hope you manage to move back up.

We're really lucky to have New Lanark just 5 minutes away by car. We frequently go do the Falls of Clyde walk which you described. The Osprey chicks hatched about a month ago and it's great watching their progress. Not been so lucky as you regarding otters. I did see a kingfisher there and was blown away by the vividness of the colours.

[NoodleUnit]

I'd also highly recommend the Isle of Coll if you want amazing beaches all to yourself - spent a bit of time there in my younger days too. Stunning place that often gets overlooked.