. Oh yes! Mairiuna, it was quite a fun ride we took aboard Glasgow’s Clockwork Orange subway train. Remember this photograph I took of you both just before we escalated down to the ticket booth? At the ticket booth, we had a good laugh when the ticket officer, after we told him that you and Jean-Claude came from France and … Continue reading →
The answer is: Donald Alexander Smith! Born in 1820, in the small town of Forres in Scotland, he emigrated to Canada at the age of 18 and is known to most Canadians as Lord Strathcona. He made his fortune building railroads and consequently, played a leading role in railway development in Canada. In 1880 he was one of the organizers … Continue reading →
During this festive season, it is definitely a time to be jolly, and to let adults become kids again but more importantly, it is a time to show our appreciation to the people around us, and share our blessings with the less fortunate. May the bells of Happiness ring merrily for you at Christmas and throughout the coming year! We … Continue reading →
Once more, history, legend and landscape happen to be intricately mixed in our discovery of Scotland, each element contributing in its own way to enhance our sense of place there. We’ve made several incursions into the Trossachs during our different tours in the country and in 2007 we drove along Loch Katrine up to its end, discovering on our way … Continue reading →
In the 19th century, it was not uncommon to see itinerant lecturers hopscotching across their countries. It was also a great opportunity for them to meet with people, mingle with them, and listen to local stories and folk tales. Is it during his itinerant lectures that John Mackay Wilson got the idea of writing and compiling the Tales of the Borders … Continue reading →
How are we going to cope with our Scottish reading list, that’s what I wonder Janice… we’re adding new authors and new books everyday, in all genres, from all times and not only Scottish books of course, though these ones do appear to be on the top of our list ! Not to mention our favourite Scottish magazines : Scots, … Continue reading →
As you mentioned in your last post Mairiuna, Glasgow was chosen as the European City of Culture and I would like to emphasis a bit more on this “European” cover by telling you that since the extension was given to the building in the 70′-80’s, The Mitchell Library, one of Glasgow’s landmarks, now houses Europe’s largest public reference library with … Continue reading →
This is the tree that never grew. This is the bird that never flew. This is the bell that never rang. This is the fish that never swam. (Traditional rhyme associated with the symbols of Glasgow’s coat of arms) Glasgow ! YOUPI, Janice ! YES, let’s go to Glasgow ! You know, I was looking forward to writing about this … 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 →
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 →
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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