The Royal Scot: Glasgow

 THE ROYAL SCOT: GLASGOW

We flew overnight from "Nova Scotia" to "Old Scotland."  Unfortunately, neither of us slept much.  Granite and Cuddles were seated in the last two seats on the plane...right beside the bathroom, a high-traffic area with a planeful of mostly retired people!
 

Tom was attempting to look cute like Noel.  As you can see, it didn't work.
 

We are learning how to jay-walk like all Glaswegians.
 

Tom found a "Poundland" which is equivalent to our Dollar Stores.
 

Of course, a pound is actually about 2 Canadian dollars.
 

I went in looking for yarn and water pistols.  Not successful.
 

Neat window display with about 300 old sewing machines.
 

Still shopping for a kilt for Tom.  Might have to rent one.
 

Banners on the street proclaiming Glasgow 's philosophy.
 

Banner on municipal building emphasizing that philosophy.
 

This is a bad picture, but a good idea. We have a banner welcoming refugees, preceded by a hashtag...modern technology lingo.  Under the banner, we have a young girl all tartened up, playing the bagpipes in front of a historcal building, beside a beautiful floral planter..... all reflecting Scottish culture and history.  Old established traditions welcoming other human beings in crisis.
 

And then we had a "pint" and supper at The Royal Scot!!!

 . .  . .  .   Until Next Time......

Why Scotland and Why Now?

Why Scotland and Why Now?

     Tom’s father was born in Scotland making Tom a first generation Canadian.  He has talked of exploring his Scottish heritage for several years.  I gave him the Scotland GuideBook a couple of years ago for Christmas as a gentle nudge in the UK direction.  He did not really bite.  

Scotland

     However, when our daughter Julia announced she was doing a European tour and suggested we meet her in Scotland, Tom took the plunge and committed to the Scotland trip.  The time has come in our lives to stop talking about trips we would like to take, and Just Do It!

Indeed!

     Coincidentally, the motto for the clan Mathieson is Fac et Spera, which translates to "Do and Hope."  You might say that is Gaelic for Just Do It!!

Do and Hope

    Julia and Tom have done some Mathieson research and we will visit the Mathieson neighborhood in the vicinity of the Isle of Skye.  

Isle of Skye

     The Mathiesons tell me they had a castle.  “In 1539 Iain Dubh Matheson, chief of the Clan Matheson, died whilst defending the Castle on Eilean Donan island against the Clan MacDonald of Sleat on behalf of the Clan Macrae and Clan Mackenzie.” A visit to this site is on our itinerary.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/bluestardrop/3840896110/

Eilean Donan

   
     And the Mathiesons have tartans, of course.

Mathieson Dress Tartan

Mathieson Hunting Tartan

     I know, you all want to see Tom in a kilt.  Well, I wouldn't be one bit surprised.  I made this nice wool vest, had him model it, and sort of named it after him in hopes that he would buy it from me for $80.00, but he didn't.  But he'll probably buy a kilt.

The Pensive Scot

     The Fullertons also hail from Scotland so we will be visiting those roots in the Ayrshire area.   I've done a little research on the family name.  Couldn't find a motto, a castle, or a tartan.  I'm still
looking.

                                                                  Until Next Time....