We’re almost there Mairiuna, only a few feet away from Picardy Place where the more than life-size bronze statue of Sherlock Holmes is standing close to the house (No 11) where his creator, Arthur Conan Doyle was born. Sculpted and cast by Gerald Ogilvie Laing at Kinkell Castle in Sutherland in 1989, it is today one of Edinburgh landmarks. The … Continue reading →
. Hi Janice ! You know I’m a born player and since nobody has answered your question still, I’ll give it a try myself. I leave it to you to talk about the statue of Sherlock Holmes in Edinburgh. 😉 I remember you’ve taken beautiful close-ups of it during our last trip and don’t forget to talk about the “Conan … Continue reading →
Photograph of King George V by W.& D Downey In fact Mairiuna, it was Prince Alfred, the second son of Queen Victoria ( later King George V ) that started the Royal Philatelic Collection. His enthusiasm about stamp collecting was shared with his brother, the Prince of Wales ( later King Edward VII) who bought Prince Alfred’s collection just a … Continue reading →
. What a good idea, Janice, to create a Scotiana philatelic album and to open its pages to our readers ! I have only a few stamps and First Day Covers to begin with but see how beautiful they are ! You know, I’m not a philatelic expert and I’ve bought them only for the sake of their beauty. Look … Continue reading →
This is right up my alley Mairiuna ! Thanks for the invite. 🙂 For the benefit of our readers, I can say that I’m really passionate about topical stamp collecting and have marveled in this rewarding hobby of philately since I was 12 years old. And as of today, I still delight in collecting those miniature pieces of art called … Continue reading →
. Tinker Bell’s wings would scarcely carry her now (…) Every moment her light was growing fainter; and Peter knew that if it went out she would be no more (…) Her voice was so low that at first he could not make out what she said. Then he made it out. She was saying that she thought she could … Continue reading →
Hi Mairiuna 🙂 Come and look at the view! Over there, it’s Salisbury Crags and Arthur’s Seat. Can you see the path climbing up the hill? … look… there are people at the top ! Can’t wait to walk up there, be sure to include it in our next itinerary. I’ve read a few things about the place while waiting for you. Quite … Continue reading →
The east of new Edinburgh is guarded by a craggy hill, of no great elevation which the town embraces (…)You mount by stairs in a cutting of the rock to find yourself in a field of monuments. (Robert Louis Stevenson – Edinburgh Picturesque Notes – 1878 ) I’m coming Janice ! Didn’t you say Calton Hill was 333 feet high … Continue reading →
Mairiuna, step into your most comfortable shoes as we are walking up to the top of Calton Hill, my favourite place for fantastic views of the city and let us not forget our camera as there will be magnificent panoramas to capture ! From the heights of Calton Hill (333 feet), we see in the distance the Firth of Forth … Continue reading →
Hi everybody, what about a deep breath of fresh air after all these pages of dark and bloody history ? The weather was threatening when we visited Wallace Monument but don’t do as we did, staying inside instead of climbing up to the top of the tower to get a panoramic view of the place ! Get equipped with a … Continue reading →
Wow….Mairiuna…it was worth the wait ! 🙂 That sword is indeed very impressive…I would not have liked to be pierced through by it…yikes! Not less impressive is Wallace Monument. You can see it from far afield, standing on the summit of Abbey Craig, when you visit the region. Designed by John T Rochhead it took 8 years to complete it. … Continue reading →
So, back again to Wallace, Janice, and old books too since I’ve just found a beautiful copy of The Scottish Chiefs. It’s an undated Routledge edition published circa 1884… look at the beautiful cover with its elaborate decoration. It has many black and white illustrations inside. An antiquarian find and the right kind of book to send you back in … Continue reading →
Bought so many books the day we spent hours in The Book Shop in Wigtown Mairiuna, that I can hardly remember all the titles. 😉 How funny !!!…do you remember how Jean-Claude had to tuck away some of our books inside the spare tire section of the car so that we could take them back home ? We were ready to … Continue reading →
Wow Janice you’ve touched the heartstrings here ! Call me a romantic if you want, though I know you share my feelings, but nothing can move me more than listening to Scottish music. I’m quite a novice in the field but I know how Scottish people do love music. Indeed a number of them are born musicians, either they sing, play … Continue reading →
Hi Mairiuna 🙂 You’ve now triggered my curiosity. Can’t wait to see the photograph of William Wallace’s sword. He must have been a very tall and strong man to be able to manoeuvre such a big sword ! When I last searched my photos for that famous sword, I came across a picture taken by Harfang of the welcome panel … Continue reading →
