sgiandubh

[sgiandubh]

Dear Kipling Anon

I really hesitated before answering you, even deleted the ask and then retrieved it twice on my fandom mail account, only to delete it twice more.

She certainly hates me. However, I didn't know she also hated poor Rudyard KIpling, who did nothing to her:

It is an absolutely lovely book, with a lovely father-daughter story inspiring it. Not that she'd care. And yes, that directly inspired me the title of that particular posts series, in fond rememberance of my own grandfather - a Kipling fan, if you wish.

That she chose this especially dour moment for me to attack is no surprise, either. Sociopaths have no empathy and no limits, when their wrath hits. Funny she is always victimizing herself for nothing, only to pounce on people exactly when she knows they are fragile, somehow.

Back to the substance of her refutations, despite what S himself clearly stated in that recent Deadline interview. I mean ninja, please: how damned desperate should one be, so as to go to such acrobatic lengths, in order to remain relevant?

You know it's the case, when simple, everyday facts are completely overlooked, just so, because they don't fit the agenda.

For example this detail:

The Waterside pub is steps away from that fitness club, on the other bank of the Thames. Why on Earth should one cross the river just for shits and giggles, unless...

Unless.

Enough said, Anon. And might I ask, if that is not too insolent: does incensing people, like you seem to love, make you feel happy? Important? Serviceable?

I can't say I appreciate this kind of shuttling between blogs and bloggers, mind you. Not anymore. Thank you for your understanding and please come back only when you have interesting stuff, not pathetic gossip.

[sgiandubh]

Gratitude

We both thank you, Shipper Mom and I, for all the speedy recovery wishes and kind thoughts. We are, most certainly, undeserving. As always.

Also, for these wonderful, wonderful tea roses - a firm family favorite - that reached us a couple of hours ago. You know who you are and I have to say the delicate gesture was met with delighted sobs:

Especially when this particular kind thought was sent on the very day of yet another trip of yours under the sun. May it be a joy to you, on each and every moment! 😘

[sgiandubh]

Not going to happen

Just when everything was set and done - bookings, boarding passes and even proper packing, reasonably beforehand-, things went horribly wrong on the home front, forcing me to cancel my Italian city break for this week-end and the foreseeable future.

As we were just about to go on a trivial errand, Shipper Mom tripped, fell and dislocated her shoulder - yes, JAMMF style, but zero fun, I can assure you. In fact, we're set for at least six weeks of slow recovery plus physiotherapy, all of this for a second of clumsiness.

I am not that cynical as to let this lovely woman fend for herself during what has the full potential to be a horrendous post-traumatic first week-end. On the contrary, I am bizarrely happy this did not happen in Assisi - and it could very well, given the town's layout - turning everything into a worse nightmare than this one, if at all possible.

So yeah, no soup for me and it is what it is. If anything, my four days leave cannot be undone, which will probably mean I would be more present on this page. Somehow.

For those who are ready, willing and able to snarl around that 'karma is a bitch', really don't bother. I am not that important, anyways.

[sgiandubh]

In other news...

Remember this tiny business charade, back in January 2024?

[Source: the UK's Companies House website - https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/15374750]

At the time of its sudden appearance on the fandom's radars, it was discussed to death. Two things mainly intrigued: the company's unusual name and the fact it was registered in England, not Scotland. For further details, kindly see this post, especially if you are new and have no idea this ever happened: https://sgiandubh.tumblr.com/post/740086132385218560/so-sam-is-no-longer-scottish-he-now-appears-as - posted on January 21st 2024, which is to say an eternity ago.

At the time, my own speculation was that he might have blocked a slot for further business projects, since changing the company's name is usually very easy. Same goes for the address, provided it would also be in England, only.

In the light of not so recent, but totally ignored events, it would seem things were a bit different, though:

Quietly dissolved by Companies House UK on 17 December 2024, after its address was automatically changed to the UK's Companies House default, somewhere in Wales.

What happened?

In a nutshell, the accounting office provided at registration as the new company's address more than probably disputed it, for false or fraudulent use. I immediately remind you and all the other 'experts' out there (ahem...), that Companies House never checks the provided address at the moment of the company's registration. Given the activity rhythm, that would be materially impossible, not to mention the operative/maintenance costs. Thus, UK legislation simply provides for sanctions, hoping it would be enough to discourage or warn cheap thrills amateurs about the consequences of any fraudulent use.

[Source: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/companies-house-faqs-address-fraud-and-correcting-the-register/]

Companies House then changed the registered address to their own default one, on 1 August 2024, allowing 28 days for the company to make the necessary corrections.

This did not happen and so, the UK Companies House went all the way and gave a first notice for compulsory strike-off, on 24 September 2024...

... followed by the final strike off notice, on 17 December 2024, since the company clearly failed to do so:

This happened for a very clear reason, that nobody - including myself - was able to identify or substantiate at the time the news of its apparition hit our screens. Reason being this was likely a hoax, by bored fans who went all the way to registering a company, just for shits and giggles.

How was this even possible?

Easy: under the current UK legal provisions, literally anyone with a keyboard can register a company on behalf of literally anyone else. Provided they know some simple, basic facts about the person involved:

[Source: https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/register-your-company?step-by-step-nav=37e4c035-b25c-4289-b85c-c6d36d11a763]

For example:

Town of birth: Balmaclellan, Scotland

Mother's maiden name: Leat

Father's first name: David

All these informations are readily available to a keen (obsessed?) reader of S's Waypoints memoir. Which does mention his maternal uncle, a widely appreciated wicker sculptor (and author of the Fire Cross episode bonfire in the series, by the way):

[Source: screenshot from my own ebook]

Sidenote: S also mentions Owen Scott, his mother's partner, as a 'dear family friend'. Oh, how Victorian and ultimately how revealing. Made me think of this very recent statement, actually:

[Source: https://deadline.com/2025/06/sam-heughan-macbeth-royal-shakespeare-company-debut-1236421062/]

Circling back to the unpronounceable company, it goes to show how far some unknown idiots are ready to go, in their quest for an ultimately delusional relevance, for I also remind you where we are: on the fringes of a dwindling fandom, akin to a supernova, which is to say a dying star. Yes, as far as spending £50 (which is, by the way, a ridiculous amount) to register a fake company on S's behalf. I also happen to doubt S knows about all this, but if he doesn't - well: he should, because this can also be construed as whoever dunnit's intention to harm his and his businesses reputation.

I have an idea, but I choose to remain silent, because it is simply a hunch I am perfectly unable to substantiate.

PS: Thank you, dearie, always 😘😘😘😘. Your tips are superb and your affection - real and deeply mutual. But you obviously know all this.

[sgiandubh]

If you see what I mean 😉....

Anon curious...

[sgiandubh]

Just so stories: the invisible man

I get it, we seldom see S & C doing things together outside the dreaded fan service and promo drama. Both moments which conveniently serve as main points of talk in some other corners of this community.

That's called privacy and a life going on. Outside of fans' and the media (who could not care less, at this point in time) scrutiny, I believe.

However, why don't we ever see McGill too, when this happens? Like, at all. Zero enthusiasm, apparently.

How the hell is this completely elusive (and even contemptuous, if we apply common sense and real life criteria) attitude deemed to be the nothing to see here, normal behavior that is being touted ad nauseam and believed by many? Doesn't he approve of the 'special friendship' they have, according to the household trolls? And if so, how can this not cause strife and (at a minimum) tensions, on that endlessly rose-tinted firmament, which - fun fact - doesn't even exist?

This is why I think the 'special friendship' point of talk would better be immediately abandoned. There is nothing else to clearly suggest there is something more than meets the eye there, than this lazy retconning, which takes everyone in the audience for a fool, shippers and stans alike.

Also, it is not the first time the lucky fans were probably gently asked not to disclose the identity of the totally not mysterious lunch companion. And it would seem nobody noticed the fact that the now famous brunette pic was taken by a woman in the group who was not an OL fan and had no idea who S was.

In Mrs. Flores' own words:

'We decided to stop at this pub. What @juguerra did not know, was who she was going to bump into there.'

Also, this - it sets the record straight forever, I think:

[Source: both pics taken by Mrs. F and then shared by the lucky fan on her own IG account stories on 3.05. 2025]

'She bumped into "Sam" (Don't even ask me this guy's surname, since I don't know it).... but she is a suuuuuper fan of this actor of the Outlander series and simply met him like that, sitting in the pub'.

Not enough time to thoroughly explain the situation to a very talkative friend, I suppose and [later edit] maybe she didn't even notice the detail herself, in the moment's excitement.

[sgiandubh]

Pure hatred

I usually avoid posting older things, because I think there's always more to be found, provided you give some time to proper and solid research.

However, this photoshoot for Entertainment Weekly (released in November 2017, already!) is very telling and always will be.

His usual mannerism before kissing scenes, in full motion. Whatever for? That was not part of the series shooting per se:

Her finger gently caressing his shoulder. Whatever for, if not for a shared moment, where they simply forgot or didn't GAF about being filmed?

Who the hell acts like that, while working? And no, don't give me the 'actors (C, S, Lassie the Dog) are touchy-feely' bullshit. That is more than touchy-feely or acting provocative with your 'gay friend' (oh, how convenient!).

That's so unprofessional, I could cry. Unless... unless 'whatever this is' between them is so overwhelming, it can never be completely castrated, nor covered up.

Yeah. Pure hatred, I am telling you. But people were not duped, just brutally assaulted when the entire plot turned very strange, to say the least.

Thank you, @sassytoonlass for reminding me about it. Which brings me back to BOMB and The Gathering.

[sgiandubh]

Cooking by moonlight: Teresa's Kahlúa liver pâté and Anonymous' No-Knead Honey Beer Bread

After a very long and rather rainy spring, with days looking more like November than May, we're just in the middle of a heatwave. For obvious reasons, cooking becomes something almost accidental - it would better be quick and effective.

This is one of the best appetizer/snack recipes I have even been able to steal. It comes from our dearly departed Chilean friend I have already written at length about, and it takes the beloved coffee liqueur totally out of its comfort zone.

Best thing? It is easy and even cheap, if you already have this bottle loitering in your cupboard and you want to try something else than pouring some of it over ice cream:

[Credits given to the Wikipedia contributor who uploaded this pic]

For a batch of liver pâté, you will need (adjust quantities accordingly if serving it for a buffet): 9 ounces (250 grams) raw chicken liver; 1 stick (110 grams) of good quality butter (always, always use Irish); 6 cloves of garlic, sliced; 1 tsp (a pinch of) fresh thyme (I skip that and I find it doesn't change much); 1 whole small red onion (I insist!), chopped (you can replace and I often do, with 2 shallots, finely chopped); 1/4 cup (60 ml) Kahlúa liqueur (adjust to own taste, I personally like to keep it on the lighter side), salt and pepper (obviously - dash of...).

Place everything, spare the alcohol, in a pan (a deeper dish, wok-style is recommended). Gently fry, low heat, until the liver is cooked - about 15 to 20 minutes. Cooking at low heat will keep the butter properly browned and the liver properly moist, which is crucial for this dish - resist temptation to get it done quicker. You'll know it's done when all the pink is gone, and even a wooden spoon will easily split the livers. Don't overcook.

Reserve some of the melted butter aside (more about this, in a second). Place in a glass, china or plastic bowl - no metal, lest you want the lovely (not) oxydizing taste. Add the liqueur. I prefer to use this Medieval contraption, because I want to be able to better control the texture - a humble potato masher, heh:

Mash it vigurously or just use a blender (no bowl required, obviously). You are done!

3. While still warm, you can put it in reusable jars, for storage (up to a week), in the fridge. In this case, pour some of the melted butter over the pâté, to seal it properly, keeping the oxydizing away. It should look like this:

Serve with toasted honey beer bread or any other fresh bread available.

Onwards to the honey beer bread. This comes from the web, I think these effortless recipes were all the craze during COVID-19. Once I made it, I never looked back.

You will need: 2 3/4 cups (350 grams) regular (no self-raising!) flour; 1 Tsp (15 grams) baking powder (no baking soda!); 1 tsp (5 grams) salt; 1/3 cup (90 ml) honey (I prefer orange blossom, but any type will do); 1 12-ounce (330 ml) can of beer (blonde/pale ale, I often use Moretti with sea salt, but that is personal taste); half a stick (60 grams) melted butter (Irish!).

Preheat oven at 350 F(180 Celsius).

In a big plastic bowl, roughly mix the dry ingredients, using a fork.

Slowly pour the beer, then the honey (in this order) over the dry mix. Do not forget to incorporate after each one of them. You will get a very soft, but not runny dough and this is exactly what should happen.

Melt the butter slowly on low heat. Use about half of it to grease a loaf tin. Alternatively and perhaps more conveniently/elegantly, use a muffin tin (tip: use some crumpled paper towel to grease tin, it's stress & mess free and covers superbly).

Pour #3 in loaf tin. Use the other half of the butter to gently brush the top of your bread.

Bake for about 40 to 50 minutes, until the proverbial inserted toothpick remains dry. Take bread immediately out of the tin, let cool for at least 10 minutes. Devour. Keeps well for about three days (if only...) and can be, of course, toasted (see above)

Final result - older pic, from my Athens kitchen. Immediately after, Baby the Lab made a mess out of it and I had to bake it all over again, LOL:

You can add grated cheddar to it (step #1), or even garlic, if you want. I prefer it as is. But I often add more than a dash of Basque smoked paprika - makes for very interesting results.

You're welcome.

[sgiandubh]

Oh, well...

Dear Marjorie Taylor Greene Anon,

You mean, this study in frustration?

I am still overweight (and yes, ugly - I have no problem admitting that, as these people know very well) and they are still very much predictible: screenshots or it did not happen. Same old and tired mean girls posse MO since Day One.

🥱

Also, I think anyone older than 25, who still imprudently uses 'girl' on social media, should be fined.

[sgiandubh]

Saw outlanderskin post and your reply. Even though these people aren’t active on twitter, they’re spreading their bullshit on Bluesky

https://bsky.app/profile/mushkamushk.bsky.social/post/3lqufji3d222i

Dear Bluesky Bullshit Anon,

For latecomers, like myself, you (and Mushka 🪰) refer to Maril Davis and Matt Roberts' interview to Reshma Gopaldas, for IndieWire (https://www.indiewire.com/features/interviews/outlander-multiple-endings-series-finale-1235129024/ - June 4, 2025).

You mean this gem?

'She's LONG past those scenes'.

You can measure the woman's obsession by the use of capital letters, Anon. What sucked was not the lighting, nor the set building. What sucked was the appreciation Maril showed for both of them, knowing full well she simply could not lie/omit/deny the obvious, only tone it down.

Also, this rather interesting turn of phrase:

A 'true testament to S and C'. Not their acting skills, mind you. S and C, the adjective ('true') serving as an emphasizer in a quote that shows the usual paranoid care to not reveal more than deemed acceptable. And yet, subtle slips happen, perhaps the equivalent of those micro facial expressions one cannot entirely control. Now Mushka may be a mighty fool, but not an idiot, and this is exactly why she felt irked & just had to offer her two cents on the entire affair. Which is just about what her opinion is worth, I think.

This entire fuss over what probably is one of the most stilted sex scenes in the entire series is a revealing testimony on the psyche prevailing in a certain corner of this fandom. Where transference and repressed same sex limerence seem to flourish, hypocrisy on top.

Let's unpack:

Transference: Mushka knows better than C what C does or rather should think about anything and everything that is happening in her own (C's) life.

Limerence: Mushka thinks The Goddess can do no wrong, probably imagining she does not even perform the banal or even vile gestures of everyday life (who expects a Grecian statue to burp, anyways?). Thus, anything that taints this Perfect Projection is either flatly rejected or retconned. Because deep down, C - or at least that distorted, artificial image - belongs to Mushka. Whoever Mushka might actually be and irrespective of C ever reciprocating this sort of twisted ardor.

Same goes for S's Onlies, by the way.

I had fun writing this, Anon. Keep them coming!

[sgiandubh]

100% what you wrote.

At this point in time, nothing more pathetic than this '"they can't stand each other anymore and want the show to end" point of talk, that reeks of despair and complete lack of dignity.

And yes, part of this fandom's selfishness had tragic consequences, not only for SC, but also for the entire project.

Last but not least, it's always the less educated who will be the most vocal. About pretty much everything, from business to acting, to ACT-ing.

In Brazil there is a saying that goes: nothing like one day after another (and a night in between). Well, the producers' latest interview with Reshma Gopaldas brought us some important pearls. One of them is this one:

I remember when this scene aired that I and many other blogs received Anon "concerned" about why the scene had been done that way and the speculation always revolved around "they (the actors) don't want to do hot scenes anymore". I even saw shippers speculating something along the same lines and creating in their heads their own tragic fanfic for their own ship. On the Antis' side the speculation was the usual: "Cait is a married woman and doesn't do that kind of scene anymore". "They refuse to do that kind of scene because of shippers." And the Onlys stated that "they can't stand each other anymore and want the show to end."

I know that it may be difficult for those who are not in the performing arts field to understand and know about all the elements necessary for a scene to be produced in a way that portrays the intention of the person who wrote it, who is directing and producing it. Every scene is inserted within a context, an argument, a direction in the sense of "what we want to tell the audience". And what we want to tell the audience is not always possible to do, because the series was not filmed in a dome. There are countless external factors such as logistics, lighting, limited set space, external weather and countless others that can interfere with how a scene can be done. A hot scene done with the wrong lighting, wrong colors and wrong scenery can go from being intended as a sensual scene to becoming an amateur porn scene in the final product.

Those who are on the outside and only consume the final product have no idea how complicated it can be to act, light, sound, and set design within limited conditions and fighting with elements that you have no power over, such as the weather, for example.

So, I hope this serves as a reminder to these people... before making wild speculations about the scenes, placing "blame" on the actors (created by their own minds), they stop and think about the entire process that went into putting the final product on the screen. And even though they are the center of a scene, the actors' power of control over the general, over the "broader picture" is very small.

PS- Regarding the above statement, there should be no surprise from the producers, because they are actors and that's what actors do...it's not like they live 24 hours together and then are still able to surprise by doing couple scenes despite the routine...unless...🙃

[sgiandubh]

I always thought it was strange that C bought that castle at the end of filming. She herself defined herself as a gypsy, so if it was just a case of occasionally visiting her 'in-laws' a good seasonal rental would be more interesting. Unless C needs real estate in Scotland, of course.

[sgiandubh]

Do you believe shw about the birthday dinner

😂

[sgiandubh]

Anon, I have repeatedly and very clearly written about it more than once.

As far as I know, it stands empty.

Sam takes for granted that Cait is in London, so what about the investment she made in that historic house in Glasgow? Wasn't that going to be her shared home with that strange bloke they say she married? I know she has the money for it, but London’s really expensive, and a bargain isn’t a bargain unless it’s something you actually need 😶

La experta en ese tema inmobiliario es @sgiandubh y seguro que cuando tenga tiempo nos actualizará la situación de la "ganga" 😉

The expert on that real estate topic is @sgiandubh and I'm sure she'll update us on the "bargain" when she has time 😉

[sgiandubh]

There’s also sadness with moving on from Outlander. He had lunch with Balfe last week. “It was so lovely to see her. She’s obviously in London as well, and so we’re all very, very close still and we’re always sending each other messages and stuff. So that’s, I guess, one of the great parts of our show. We really have this lovely friendship now, and I’m sure that we’ll follow each other in subsequent years.”

London birthday dinner not lunch.

Did someone say Marylebone? Ms Balfe?

[sgiandubh]

And then...

I could not find it when checking, but it is there, somewhere under his own announcement -gracias, siempre 😘😘😘:

Along with many others, in both installments of the good news: Lacroix, Eleanor Tomlinson, Female Nic, Norouzi, etc. Later edit: there is one from Grandma McTavish, thank you @michezsstuff, for pointing this out. But not Graham, and I think there won't be any kindness, this time.

But the one which perhaps touched me the most, right after C's heartfelt congratulations is...

Delightfully spontaneous and goes to indirectly show how generous he is with younger, aspiring actors #FannyPocock.

[Source: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/outlander-actress-praised-fans-who-34520793]

[sgiandubh]

I am not yet traveling, Anon, leaving for a short citybreak on June 14th. Thank you for the thought.

And yes, brilliant take on the Neal Bros.

Hi, Bat, good afternoon!

Just a quick note to get this off my chest.

In Mordor they are discussing Matt Neal going to work for SS, and that this will make all the difference to the business and that it will be great for Sam to get rid of Ashley and maybe even Alex.

Now, I am not doubting Matt's competence or buying into the ineptitude of the current team. It is just that I have also been following Matt N for a few years now and see the day-to-day professional life that he chooses to show. Matt is not an executive. He presents the product in bars/restaurants/events, represents Uncle N in small competitions, entertains (I believe he is involved in the organisation process too, but I have no way of knowing) masterclasses and tastings for groups in the UK and Europe in general. Visits a distillery here and there, etc. At the tastings we've seen, there's always a small number of attendees, without the usual Sassenach fan base, but it's the same dog-eat-dog business model with spirits.

How is this different from the current Sassenach model? Is it because Matt is a man, instead of the mostly female staff?

Remember that Matt N is also essentially an actor who only recently (2018 or 2019, I believe) became a professional in the spirits business. He and Sam used to bartend events together, for God's sake! Other than that, he wears merchandise from the company he represents, drinks, works out, rides a motorcycle, and smokes cigars.

So why isn't he described by the other side as a mediocre actor who has to settle for serving drinks? Why is that judgment only reserved for someone else?

To repeat myself here, this article is not about Matt's personal life or professional skills at all. By the way: Matt, when Sam's social media shows you this text, it will be said that I really like you and your day-to-day life, regardless of any ties to this fandom.

Regards to all of you PS: In another comment, is SgianDubh travelling? I recall she mentioned something about it last week, but I thought it was part of future plans.

El Neal actor es Luke no Matt 😉

The actor Neal is Luke not Matt😉