What an interesting question and only ringing the faintest of bells from Dougal's marble playing days long ago. It’s a word from the north-east of Scotland – though it’s also in dictionaries of Shetland words – and means a hole in the ground – a target for the marbles. Kype or kypie (presumably a wee holey!) is linked to Old English cype and Low German kipe meaning a basket – hence anything of a concave shape.

There is a Concorde at the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune, in East Lothian, east of Edinburgh. Actually, the museum brands it as 'The Concorde Experience' and you can see all over the aircraft. There's lots more to see at this historic airfield as well - you probably need to make an afternoon of it.

None of these Scottish cities are immune to the changes in the High Street that mean there are gaps and closures that are often filled with thrift or charity shops. There's even one in the Royal Mile, Edinburgh. Dougal bought a really classy book of Turner prints there just a few weeks ago at a bargain price! (Not your average thrift shop then.) All sorts of stuff turn up. And the Edinburgh Stockbridge Oxfam is great for sheet music and old LPs! Dougal hopes it's OK to quote The Herald (Glasgow) food critic Ron MacKenna on a walk in the city of Glagow. He says 'Whole buildings are packaged up, there are pound shops on the precinct end of Argyle Street and charity shops everywhere. Overnight, Glasgow seems to have changed from an international city into a tired, run-down provicial town.' (The Herald Magazine 30th May 2009.)

So the answer to your question is - yes, there are plenty of thrift and charity shops right across Scotland. It's a sign of the times. The old High Street has gone for ever.

Well, it all depends if you mean slight curves or more demanding hairpins. If the latter, then there are four or five sharp bends on the ascent north from Aberfoyle, where you cross into the Highlands. After that, the road is a bit bendy but nothing serious. If you have Google Earth, then you can get a good view of the road out of Aberfoyle, in surprisingly high definition! That way you can count them for yourself!

The best way to avoid the Highland midge is only to go out when it is cold and windy. This gives surefire protection and is a situation not infrequently encountered in Scotland.

Midges don't like much of a breeze - they prefer it still and damp. And they don't like bright light either. Wear pale clothing rather than dark as well. There are a number of repellents on the market, plus a crop of rumours - including one that Marmite keeps midges away. (Apparently, it's the yeast.) Those delightful people at Natural Beauty Scotland stock an organic safe repellent which feedback suggests is pretty good. Finally, one way of keeping the midge population down is to encourage bats. Apparently, the pipistrelle bat eats 3000 midges per night. We should all put up bat boxes!

What an interesting question - Peterhead, the largest whitefish landing port in the UK, and Scotland's most easterly point, is certainly locally called the 'Blue Toon' (Town).

As for where it came from, Dougal (who has North-east connections, coincidentally), has always thought it was linked to the name for the Peterheid folk: Blue Mogganers. So what are moggans (or moggins)? Well, that's an old Scots word for stockings. The Concise Scots Dictionary says this can be a footless stocking or even just a coarse protecton for the legs, but I think we can asume it was worn in a sea-boot. Apparently, the local knitters used or at least favoured blue wool. [There may be a connection here with the local fisherman's gansy (jersey), also usually knitted in blue]. Anyway, the name seems to have something to do with the colour of old-time fishermen's socks!