Part-Time Genius How to Make a Scottish Tartan (Without Going to Scotland!)
Mar 31, 2026
Discover the story behind Munros and the quirky title earned for climbing Scotland’s tallest peaks. Learn why tartan and plaid get confused and how a design can be officially registered. Hear the surprising global history of bagpipes and the controversial Guga hunt tradition. Peek into Scots language revival and the unicorn’s odd place in Scottish heraldry.
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What Bagging A Munro Actually Means
- Munroes are mountains in Scotland over 3,000 feet and there are 282 of them. Sir Hugh Munro cataloged them in 1891 and completing all grants membership in the Munro Society with ~7,600 completers.
How Lizzie The Lizard Changed The Fossil Record
- Stan Wood, an untrained fossil collector, found a seven-inch tetrapod fossil in 1984 nicknamed Lizzie the Lizard. Radiometric dating later placed Lizzie at 346 million years old, filling part of Romer's Gap.
Scotty Dogs Went From Farm Tools To Icons
- The Scottish Terrier emerged from practical farm dogs used for vermin control and only became standardized in the 1800s. By the 20th century Scotty clubs and US breeders turned it into a popular family pet and cultural icon.