“As the name implies, Scottish shortbread originated in Scotland, my ancestral land.” This quote comes from an essay that my grandmother composed for a writing class 45 years ago. The piece is a detailed description of her recipe written in a narrative form. It is a treasured piece of family history that makes me feel as if I am in the kitchen with her, listening to her describe how to make her delicious shortbread, step by step. My grandmother’s parents emigrated from Scotland to Canada. My grandparents then immigrated to the United States right before my dad was born. Both my grandmother and my grandfather were so proud of their Scottish heritage and of the family they built together. My grandmother’s shortbread is just one of the many ways we keep her memory alive. As the essay concludes, “It is said that if a Scotsman closes his eyes when tasting shortbread, he will catch a glimpse of heather on the hills, and skirl of the bagpipes.” 

– Alison Drummond

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant