I'm a 41 years old Belgian copywriter/graphic designer.

Belgium is a tiny country, so nobody lives far from our capital city, Brussels (which president Trump called a hell hole, by the way). I live in the city of Sint-Niklaas (Saint Nick), named after the holy man that brings presents to our children every year on december the 6th. Thanks to the Americans, we meet basically the same guy again on december 25th. But now he suddenly is much fatter and fluffier, plus he rides reindeer instead of a horse.  He does still stuff toys down the chimney though, just like his alter ego. Good thing Santa makes those presents so we don't have to buy them, or we would be ruined after the second round.

Anyway, it's probably pretty lame, but "Braveheart" triggered my love for Scotland back in 1995. I was 13 years old and William Wallace was my hero.

When I was 19 years old, I walked the West Highland Way (from Glasgow to Fort William). It was a magical journey through the highlands without a phone, radio or tv. Just Bens and Glens. I hiked alongside Loch Lomond, climbed the Devil's Staircase and enjoyed the magnificent view on Ben Nevis. I fell in love with Scotland for the second time, and this time for real.

When I returned to the airport on 9/11/2001, I couldn't bring my bread knife on the plane. When I flew to Scotland it was no problem at all, and now they asked if I was crazy, trying to smuggle that in my hand luggage. When I watched the news back home, I learned why.

After that, I did absolutely nothing with my love for Scotland. It just slumbered.

In 2005, I got married wearing a kilt suit, and after that ... I again did nothing even remotely Scottish (apart from enjoying a whiskey or two, now and then).

Finally, in september 2022, I listened to my heart, and decided to learn how to play the bagpipes. Now I get private lessons every week and I have followed some online Dojo courses. After half a year struggling on the practice chanter, I can finally struggle some more on the real thing.

I'm failing forward every day, striving for bagpipe freeeeeeeeeeeeeedom!