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 →
No, Janice, I must recognize I didn’t see Braveheart … not having the guts to do so yet. Bloody wars are not my cup of tea. I know Scottish history has had its lot of blood and violence but it’s one thing to learn about it in books and another to see it on a big screen…with bodies cut into … Continue reading →
Absolutely Mairiuna , and it’s also the scottish gaelic name for Scotland 🙂 Have you seen Braveheart ? If so, you surely remember the famous war cry “Alba gu bragh! ” by William Wallace. It means something like « Scotland For Ever ». What an emotionally charged performance Gibson gives us in this film! An historical epic at its best. Give … Continue reading →
Yes Janice, let’s embark on this long journey around Scotland! I’m eager to show our friends how beautiful the colours of Scotland can be though our Scottish journey began on such a grey and misty day. Mind ! grey has its beauty too. Anyway, there’s something magical in this country and, like Gandalf the Grey, Scotland can be radiant and … Continue reading →
Hey Mairiuna ! is it not exciting to be able to chat together in this lively, interactive and colorful communication medium called a blog ? Wow…my pen can’t wait to write those words that will translate into a multitude of stories about the one and only country that attracts both of us with so much passion and I named … Scotland! … Continue reading →
Hi everybody ! Prepare to embark in a journey that will lead you into a fascinating country, a country that has often left us, as we say in France, “sans voix”… Let us voice our Scotland from Quebec and France See you soon ! Janice and Mairiuna …………………. Imminent departure…
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