Discover Scotland with ME

27/08/2024

Last week I went to North Berwick. I was to meet a very helpful colleague in the North Berwick Bird Centre. As I was early, I wandered about and saw this wonderful mural created by the Ukrainian artist Tetiana Hurn. The gannet is the symbol of freedom and change, strength, courage and faith in what lies ahead. Ukraine and Scotland are linked by Kyiv’s St Andrew’s Cathedral and the St Andrew’s Kirk Port of North Berwick. Above the gannet is a quote of Robert Louis Stevenson.

06/12/2023

Suitcase loading Jordan way.

06/11/2023

06/11/2023

Who did we meet in Jerash, one of the 10 wealthy self-governing cities of the Roman Empire? No not Lawrence of Arabia but an ex members of the Jordanian army who had performed at the Tattoo and who entertained tourists with a great selection of Scottish tunes

12/10/2023

If you have old IT equipment the Central Library has a box for it. Everything will be recycled and sent to needy countries and people.
While there have a look at the 13 women who were condemned under the Witchcraft Act 1563. They are dressed in personalised dresses imprinted with the words that condemned them.

28/09/2023

A most stunning addition to the National. Well worth the long wait. Congratulations to everyone involved with this project.

16/09/2023

An amazing flower voyage in Inverleith House in the Royal Botanic garden. Don’t miss it.

11/09/2023

Thé Maggie Centre Scottie dog at Lindores.

11/07/2023

A wonderful collection of outfits at the Royal Museum of Scotland. According to the Saturday Time the top of chic is the SBD = the summer black dress.

24/04/2023

A visit to Stirling Castle yesterday where the rule of no STGA guiding in the palace is in force. Extremely fortunate to meet Virginia, a French guide, in the bed chamber of the queen, Marie de Guise. With great enthusiasm she entertained and answered questions. The group was delighted. I will have to rethink the tour around the castle the next time I go, leaving the palace last so that every member of my group can take his/her own time going through the palace.
Thank you Virginia!

15/04/2023

The soon to be opened new whisky distillery neighbour of the Royal Britannia. I had been aware of its construction somewhere in Leith but it was just a bit of a shock to see it’s height and it’s closeness to the ship when I came out onto Britannia’s deck. Can’t wait to visit it as its totally new distilling design will make a visit a new experience. May their whisky be as wonderful and moorish as their Lind & Lime Gin they also produce in Leith.

15/04/2023

A hugely interesting and fun Tartan exhibition in Dundee’s V&A. Made my own set (tartan) design but sadly it looked awful in the photo.

26/02/2023

Meeting cruise ship passengers I had been to South Queensferry a great many times but thanks to Laura I got to hear a great deal more about the history of the town. Artists, sailors, bridge builders, numerous fires, witches whisky, pubs and hotels made and still makes the Ferry extremely popular. You may be lucky and meet the Burry Man during the August Fair week but the most important person to arrive here Queen Margaret is always somewhere to be found in the town. During lock-down a large colourful and fun mosaic mural was created by the people of South Queensferry showing the High Street and Queen Margaret’s arrival in the 11th century. The mosaic found an empty wall behind the clock tower up some steep steps in a tranquil garden. A must visit after which you can continue down the brae to the little port area where she and her family landed after fleeing from William the Conqueror.

10/02/2023

A CPD tree planting session at Brucefield Estate where Victoria and team spoiled us with delicious soup, coffee, yummy bread and cakes. Planting some Caledonian pine and Aspen saplings was the least we could do in return.

24/01/2023

The production of Mothers Ruin has returned to Leith! Gin was produced in huge quantities in the premier port of Scotland during the 18th and 19th century. Spices and Dutch Jenever inspired locals to create their own brew. A most enjoyable visit to the Lind & Lime distillery ended with me clutching my own filled miniature bottle of the Lind & Lime Gin. This delicious liquid has joined 3 of the world’s bestsellers that are all produced in Scotland.

17/01/2023

Today a sunny but very chilly visit to the Hunterian Gallery where an extremely interesting exhibition about Mary Queen of Scots had the pride of place. The exhibition well worth a visit finishes the 5th of February. I never knew that when she visited the university she was appalled about the state of the institution. She very generously offered her support which helped the university and gave some poor young persons the chance to study at the university.

29/12/2022

The hat is free to any child, a little heavy when it moves but great fun

29/12/2022

First day back at the Heart shop, looking forward to a fun Hogmanay

22/12/2022

We did have some snow but most was the result of a -8C night.
To all of you a happy Xmas and may 2023 keep you all healthy and wise!

30/11/2022

A very special celebration in the Queen Charlotte Rooms in Leith where we greatly enjoyed a scrumptious tea, delicious champagne and glimpsed the Austrian Alps sliding past. Thanks a million special friends!

23/11/2022

Edinburgh wants to be 100% certain that you know you have arrived in a festive city. The lighting in the Princess Street gardens have changed, the tree trunks are bathed in changing colours while the lights over the foot path gives you an idea your are in light tunnel.

20/10/2022

The Isle of Skye Natural Dye company now has a new home in Culnacnoc, near Staffin, beside The Glenview B & B and Earth & Skye Yoga. A shop filled with the softest wool possible by Simon and Kirsty.

20/10/2022

On our way to Skye with 2 MacLeans and their friends.

02/10/2022

A riot of colour awaited us at the distillery

27/09/2022

After a very long hiatus I was back volunteering in the gardens of the Zoo. In my absence all the giraffes that had cheered up many people have come down to Edinburgh to be auctioned off on Tuesday 4th of October