Merlinian Muse

10/11/2023

“Think of the happiest things. It’s the same as having wings.” - Disney’s Peter Pan

~ Kirriemuir, Scotland - The Birthplace of James M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan (and many other stories) ~

The humble cottage where Barrie grew up is now an NTS (National Trust for Scotland) museum. The wash house is now called The Wendy House because it’s where Barrie performed his first Peter Pan plays for his family as a small boy. There is even a “Wendy” book that only visitors named Wendy can sign. So, if you’re reading this and your name is Wendy or if you know a Wendy, let them know that there is a book waiting for them to sign in Kirriemuir. Not far away is the Tick-Tock garden (no, not the app lol). Tick-Tock, the crocodile 🐊 with a clock in her belly, is waiting for you.

For those about to rock 🤘🏼, Kirriemuir is also the hometown of Bon Scott, frontman of AC/DC ⚡️.

26/07/2023

“Mary Magdalene” - a Pre-Raphaelite painting by Frederick Sandys (1858-1860,) depicts Mary Magdalene in front of a patterned forest-green damask. Mary holds an alabaster jar, a traditional attribute which associates her with the woman who anointed Jesus. The Feast Day of Mary Magdalene is 22 July. 🌹

13/07/2023

✨ Gold? 💎 Diamonds? 🐞 … Beetles?

This astonishing jewellery set has an unusual addition – instead of using precious stones, these sparkling green details are made from 46 dried South American weevils!

🦗 These bugs (Lamprocyphus augustus) have a shimmering wing case, which changes colours when viewed from different angles. When worn in the evening, these pieces would have created an otherworldly, iridescent effect and made for a striking conversation piece.

Matching jewellery sets like this collection of a tiara, necklace and earrings were known as a ‘parure’.

🔎 Beetle parure and case. Gold, silk, leather, wood, and weevils, from London, England, made around1884–1885. Read more: https://ow.ly/uPHm50P7lwr

11/07/2023

~Victoria Street ~

This is Victoria Street in Edinburgh, one of the most picturesque streets in the city. This street inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter novels and there are a couple of Harry Potter shops to remind tourists of this street’s claim to fame.
It does have a bit of dark history, though. One of the more bizarre and less well-known inhabitants of this street was Major Thomas Weir (1599-1670). Thomas was a soldier in the Army of the Covenant and, therefore, he professed a strict form of Presbyterianism. He eventually earned the rank of major, before retiring. After his retirement, he fell ill in 1670 and confessed to having led a life of crime. He stated that his crimes ranged from witchcraft to in**st and be******ty. We will never know if his confession was true but he was prosecuted, found guilty, and eventually executed. Due to his confession of practicing sorcery and the Occult, he has been nicknamed “The Wizard of the West Bow.” His home stood on Victoria Street and it was said that the house was enchanted by one of the Wizard’s spells, which made people ascending the stairs of his home think that they were descending the stairs in the opposite direction. Major Weir’s home was also considered to be haunted.
Major Thomas Weir was the last man to be executed for witchcraft in Scotland.

10/05/2023

📖 Book of the Month! 📖

Did you know we have over 4000 books in our library at Drum Castle? 👀

Our team of volunteers will be providing a peek between the pages and sharing their favourite weird and wonderful literary finds!

The picture below is an illustration from the 'Botanic Garden Vol 1 & 2' – Erasmus Darwin (1799)

Not as well-known as his famous biologist grandson, Charles, Erasmus Darwin wrote these volumes as two poems first published in 1791. Filled with wonderfully imaginative illustrations, this page shows a ‘Tartarian Lamb’, a mythical plant from which lambs were said to be born! 🐑

We can't wait to show you even more fascinating discoveries from our beautiful Library!

We are currently open Thursday to Monday 10:30 - 16:00 so why not come and have a guided tour? 🏰

09/04/2023

Happy National Unicorn Day! 🦄

The Unicorn is Scotland’s national animal and has been for 900 years. The unicorn symbolizes innocence, purity, healing, and power. A perfect national animal for a land that is steeped in legend and myth.

I hope you get a chance to do something unicorn-esque today 😅. Hint: do something ”uni”que!

09/04/2023

08/04/2023

This article is from 2015 but pretty cool to think that my beloved place of work - Drum Castle - is home to the oldest intact staircase in Scotland and one of the oldest in the world. It’s 600 years old, going back to the 1400s!

A crucial section of an Aberdeenshire castle has been brought into the light for the first time in centuries, bringing with it more than 800 years of

08/04/2023

, dating back to 6 April 1320 and is still considered one of 's most important artefacts.
"As long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours, that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself."

02/04/2023

The only inscription inside the Chapel reads ‘Wine is Strong. The King is stronger. Women are stronger still; but truth conquers all.’

02/04/2023

A Book from the Astronomical Library of Mary, Queen of Scots. ❤️ This rare book was once used by Mary Queen of Scots as part of her study of Astronomy: ‘Astronomique Discourse’ and was written in 1557 by Scotsman James Bassantin (c. 1500–68), Lyon, Par Jan de Tournes. On the cover of the book is a crown and Mary’s initial M. The book is an illustrated, large compendium on calculating planetary positions. During her lifetime, Mary Queen of Scots created a vast library, distributed between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood, containing hundreds of books that she brought back to Scotland on her return from France in 1561. Her extensive collection included Arthurian Legends and Romances, Astrology, the Golden Legend, and Evangelical Writings by Erasmus. Mary showed her true desire to conciliate religious dissension, and was an advocate for religious tolerance. Following Mary's capture, her half-brother the Regent Murray, issued a warrant for the delivery of Mary's books to his confidential secretary. He personally dismantled the Royal Apartments, seizing her books, and committed several of them to the flames...

02/04/2023

~ The Black Watch Castle and Museum ~

The Black Watch is a Royal Regiment of Scotland, founded in 1725. The Black Watch gained great distinction by its conduct, being described by a French officer as “Highland Furies who rushed in on us with more violence than ever did the sea driven by tempest”.

Sounds very Game of Thrones-esque 👑

24/03/2023

This is a painting the ceiling of a close/alleyway that I noticed as I was walking the streets of Edinburgh. What do you think it is trying to tell us? The second panel looks like the structure of a nucleus and the last two panels must have something to do with alchemy/pharmaceuticals. What do you think?

24/03/2023

15/03/2023

Calling all friends who love museums❗️

The Scottish Museums Federation Conference is being held at the Scottish Football Museum in Glasgow on May 15th. Tickets can be purchased here:

Our aim is always to keep things affordable and cost effective for our members. We hope that the increase in conference price does not deter people and we are offering a digital ticket of £10 so people can take part on the day remotely at a reduced price. You can read our statement on the cost inc....

09/03/2023

Happy to all strong around the globe.
Great 📷:IG: solveiginscotland
www.instagram.com/solveiginscotland

09/03/2023

We're almost at the end of the tour! The Book of Deer banners will be at MACBI in Mintlaw 9 - 23 March, accompanied by new music by Gordon Hay, inspired by the original 10th century pocket gospel book. A lovely opportunity to immerse yourself in art, craft and music. Part of the 2022 Book of Deer outreach programme, connecting communities, history and culture.

09/03/2023

This 700-year-old document asked the Pope, in 1320, to recognize Scotland’s independence and to acknowledge Robert the Bruce as Scotland’s lawful king.
It will be on display at the National Museum of Scotland this summer: June 3-July 2, 2023!

09/03/2023

This house is where Robert Louis Stevenson wrote his famous coming-of-age novel, “Treasure Island,” in the late Victorian era. The house is located in Braemar in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. “Treasure Island” has had significant influence on depictions of pirates in popular culture.
There is a funny story about Stevenson’s time here: When he first came to stay at this house, he decided to name the front of his home “Braemar” and the back of his home “Edinburgh.” Whenever friends came knocking and he didn’t feel like seeing anyone, he would instruct his housekeeper to tell his visitors that he was in Edinburgh and then he would remove himself to the back room. Technically, he wasn’t lying! Clever guy…

09/03/2023

'The Labyrinth' - The Edinburgh labyrinth is based on the 13th century labyrinth laid in the floor of Chartres Cathedral, 'Notre-Dame d’Chartres' in France, laid down in c1201. The labyrinth was initiated in 2002, by Di Williams, the former University Chaplain of the University's Labyrinth Project.The walking labyrinth is a path of meditation or prayer for students, staff and visitors alike. Walking the labyrinth offers a unique space to relax the body, still the mind, release stress, heal and open the heart. The Edinburgh Labyrinth is bounded by an evergreen yew hedge. At the centre of the Labyrinth is a beautiful heart centred six-petaled rose, a place to be still and reflect, whilst walking this ancient path.🌹

09/03/2023

After talking about it for years, I have finally decided to do a walking tour of Edinburgh highlighting historic women! I am running it for International…

08/03/2023

Sign to save these libraries, located in some of the most deprived areas of Aberdeen

Save our cornhill Library

07/03/2023

06/03/2023

Scottish Amulet 🧿

The ‘Clach-Dearg,’ or ‘Stone of Ardvoirlich’ is a ball of rock-crystal in a setting of four silver bands with a ring at the top for suspension. It is believed to have been brought from the East, and the workmanship of the silver mounting is also said to be Eastern. It was held in great repute for its healing properties, and used particularly ‘in healing diseases of cattle.’ People would travel ‘a distance of forty miles to obtain water in which it had been dipped.’ Various ceremonies had to be observed by those who wish to benefit from its healing powers.

Tradition recounts that ‘the person who came for it to Ardvoirlich was obliged to ‘draw the water themselves, and bring it into the house in some vessel into which the stone was dipped.’ A bottle was filled and carried away to the house of those who sought its healing, if the water was carried into any home the healing properties were believed to leave the water…🌹

Research reference - Scottish Charms and Amulets - George Fraser Black 1891
Photo credits - National Museum of Scotland Archives - Sketch by James Drummond

02/03/2023

One of my favourite places in Scotland

Today marks the start of Women's History Month, so I'm going to tell you a story about a remarkable lady from Scottish History.

This chunk of rubble is all that remains of Malcolm Canmore's Tower in Pittencrieff Park - Dunfermline and that's Dunfermline Abbey in the distance, founded by Queen Margaret.

Margaret was an English Princess and around 1069, she was forced to flee into exile with her brother. Legend says her ship was blown off course and landed in Fife where she was met by King Malcom Canmore and soon married him.

The pair seem to have truly been in love even if they were an unlikely match: the gruff, warrior King and the very pious princess. It's said that Margaret had a calming effect on her husband, reigning in his worst qualities. They lived here in Dunfermline, making it their royal capital and the city flourished.

Margaret founded a small church which became Dunfermline Abbey and was famous for her dedication to her faith. She fed and washed the feet of the poor, spending her time on charitable acts.

The Queen founded a free ferry for pilgrims across the River Forth allowing them to reach St Andrews without haggling with opportunistic boatmen and that's where North/South Queensferry get their names.

Most importantly, Margaret was a strong and influential mother. She had 8 children with Malcolm, one daughter would become Queen of England and three sons Kings of Scots, including the youngest David. He followed in his pious mother's footsteps, founding several Abbeys including the big Borders Four.

Unfortunately, Margaret couldn't entirely dampen Malcolm's fighting spirit. He marched off to war with England in 1093 with his eldest son and they were both killed. When the news reached the Queen three days later, she died of a broken heart.

Both spouses were buried at Dunfermline Abbey, but when Margaret was made a saint, her remains were dug up to be placed in a shrine at the altar. As she was being taken past Malcolm's grave, the box suddenly became too heavy to lift.

The only option was to exhume the King and place him alongside his wife so that they could both be joined together again forever!

28/02/2023

Please sign to save cultural life, including the dearly missed Belmont Cinema, in Aberdeen, Scotland!

Can you spare a minute to help this campaign?

23/02/2023

The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood is my favourite! A nice change to see Old Testament Heroines in a Cathedral 😃

A detail view of the beautiful Edward Burne Jones Window in St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh, made in the studios of William Morris. The image shows three lower panels in the window, which depict three heroines of the Old Testament, from right to left - Ruth, Miriam, and the daughter of Jephthah. Miriam is often referred to as "Miriam the Prophetess." 💙