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The word Quaich comes from the Gaelic word “cuach” which means cup. Throughout Scotland’s history it has been used to symbolise love and friendship.

It is thought that the first quaichs developed from scallop shells which were used ascups for drinking whiskey by people in the Highlands.. Similar to scallop shells quaichs were wide and shallow in design. handles were added to make them easier to hold. The shape of the quaich has been fixed for more than four hundred years.

Initially quaichs were made from a single piece of wood, from the late 17th century as craftsmen became more proficient they used light and dark wood and strands of copper to create intricate patterns from this time the skills needed to make quaichs were highly regarded. Other materials such as a range of materials were employed to make quaichs from stone and brass to horn and silver. The centre of the quaich was sometimes decorated with a silver coin or disc featuring a coat of arms or family motto – as well as adding a decorative aspect it serverd to hide any joins. The lugs (handles) were frequently covered with silver or pewter where the owners initials could be displayed. During the 17th century in Scotland there was a craze for adding ones initials to property.

In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie took the quaich with him to England when he travelled down from Edinburgh with his army. These quaichs had a glass bottom so that the drinker could keep an eye out on his drinking comrades.

The most romantic Quaich had a double bottom in which a lock of hair was placed, in 1589 King James VI of Scotland gave Anne of Norway such a Quaich as a wedding gift.

A piper is often rewarded for his participation at ceremonies with a draft from a quaich.

The quaich is still popular today and can be employed at many occasions:

It is used at many Scottish weddings, offered to guests at the top table as a symbol of the shared love of the bride and groom; at christenings it is used to drink to the health of the new child and in celebration of new life; as a welcome or farewell cup by clan chiefs.

Commemorative quaichs, inscribed with a team motto can awarded as a prizes, or given as gifts, these are commonly made of pewter or silver.

Quaichs are popular for toasting an occasion from wedding anniversaries to new year.

Whether for ornament or use they make gorgeous presents, an can be engraved with a personal message.

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In this age of Oprah, interactive websites, and blogs, formal presentations are out. Instead, savvy speakers are speaking conversationally. They’re less likely to “make a speech,” more likely to talk to their audiences. They move away from podiums. They use personal stories and anecdotes. They say I and you, we and us. They encourage audience interaction.

3. Simple Is Chic.

Sophisticated technology is simple — at least for the end user. A point-and-shoot camera takes in all sorts of data and makes innumerable, complex calculations so you don’t have to. Successful speakers do the same thing. They do their research. They decide what’s important. And they present what the audience needs to know in a way the audience gets.

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Audiences are no longer wowed by PowerPoint(TM). They take it for granted, and if anything they’re a little bored by it. Use it as a tool, a way of presenting information. But don’t let it upstage you. Keep yourself up front and personal.

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Creating a good speech takes a lot of time. So once you’ve created a presentation, reuse it. Don’t think you have to come up with something new for each occasion. You can give the exact same speech word for word to a different audience, and it becomes a different speech. Take bits and pieces from one presentation and repackage them. Trim a 45-minute in-depth presentation into a 15-minute overview of your topic. Or use your 15-minute overview as an outline for a longer presentation.

6. Mark your Territory.

It’s almost impossible to come up with something brand new and original to talk about. After all, how many news ways are there to make a sales, a speech, or a successful relationship? Winning speakers take the best of what’s already known and make it new by making it their own. They put their own spin on it, using a unique (and consistent) choice of words and phrasing. Think Chicken Soup for the Soul, the One-Minute Manager, and Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. New stuff or clever packaging?

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It’s a scary world, and people are afraid of losing what they have. They want something or someone who will make them feel safe. If you’re going to challenge them to change, you need to show them why. And you need to reassure them that what they get will be better than what they leave behind. Threats — implied or explicit — will make people react in the moment, but they won’t sustain people’s long-term efforts.