There was a custom among 18th century Scottish immigrants in which a mother or father, brother or sister on the beach would hold a ball of twine, while their immigrant relative would be given the loose end of it to hold. As the ship sailed out of the harbor the twine would play out over the water. And as the ship sailed further from the beach, the ball of twine would get smaller and smaller, until the entire string had played out, and it lay floating on the ocean. It was the last tangible connection to their homeland for those who would never return.
by William McDonald, PhD
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