To get someone’s goat, according to the dictionary, is “to make someone annoyed or angry.” And boy, did Larysa Switlyk, American TV host and presenter of Larysa Unleashed, do just that on her recent trip to Scotland.
Let’s face it: Two things that gain Americans a bad reputation abroad are guns and tourists. So, here’s where I think Ms. Switlyk got off to a bad start . . .
Sniper mode behind the @nightforce_optics and @gunwerks in Scotland. Hunting the Island of Islay in Scotland which is the “center for whisky tourism“ having 9 distilleries on it !! However, I’m too busy hunting to go tour a whisky distillery …. https://t.co/GZ7O2ASDtW pic.twitter.com/nhDSRe0Sth
— Larysa Switlyk (@LSwitlyk) October 21, 2018
And here’s where, I think, she may have got Scotland’s goat:
Beautiful wild goat here on the Island of Islay in Scotland. Such a fun hunt!! They live on the edge of the cliffs of the island and know how to hide well. We hunted hard for a big one for 2 days and finally got on this group. Made a perfect 200 yard s… https://t.co/AnIVSloS9J pic.twitter.com/x2FzvTF7No
— Larysa Switlyk (@LSwitlyk) October 22, 2018
This picture, along with Ms. Switlyk’s imprudent boasting on social media, sparked fury among the natives. Among those outraged was Judy Murray, mother of the Scottish tennis champion Andy Murray, who tweeted:
“A unique hunt?”
Disgraceful. It’s a goat. And it’s in Scotland. On a beautiful island. Stop this pls @scotgov. 🤬 https://t.co/7UE7QYSW94— judy murray (@JudyMurray) October 24, 2018
The situation escalated quickly. And Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister responded thus:
Totally understandable why the images from Islay of dead animals being held up as trophies is so upsetting and offensive to people. @scotgov will review the current situation and consider whether changes to the law are required. https://t.co/SIQxcEYBzR
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) October 24, 2018
Ms. Switlyk may be feeling a little sheepish.