Kilted fortnight holiday in scotland & france

**Darkislander** · 9th August 09, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmy

Ern, the photos look fabulous and you really look as if you are enjoying yourself, I remember you told me in Holyrood Park that you had enjoyed yourself there in Pitlochry.
Funnily enough we are staying in the Arcarsaid in Pitlochry in September, the local games are on then and also in the local theatre we are booked in for Whisky Galore - The Musical, should be fun. I have not been in this theatre before but I am told its a smashing theatre, don't know if you visited it then.

Glad you got back home safely, I have told several people the story you told me about the trip you were supposed to have round the Houses of Parliament in London but the Member of Parliament who happened to be at that time also the Prime Minister resigned suddenly and left your party in the lurch, a great story.

Anyway my dandelion is safely stored away for posterity, thanks for the gift.
Regards,
Jim ( Jimmy)

A colleague of mine was attending the theatre last week and told me she saw a member of the audience in his kilt.

**Darkislander** · 9th August 09, 03:50 PM

What a fabulous photo journal. I am ashamed to say that despite having lived in Perth for nearly 2 years, visiting it at least twice a year since 1989, I have never been to the Black Watch museum. I probably kept forgetting about it. Thanks to your photos though, it should inspire me on my next visit. For the music fans, literally a stones through from the little monument photo you took in Dunkeld is Dougie MacLeans studio. Did you notice it?

**gseven1** · 9th August 09, 04:40 PM

Thanks so much for sharing those photos. It looks like it was a great trip. It gives me that much more incentive to make the trip over. Thanks once again!

**Mael Coluim** · 9th August 09, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by Darkislander

...For the music fans, literally a stones through from the little monument photo you took in Dunkeld is Dougie MacLeans studio. Did you notice it?

The docent at the Cathedral told me about it. It has now moved to the outskirts of the town.

**BKPowell** · 9th August 09, 08:16 PM

Thanks for sharing this with us. My wife & I enjoyed the photos and such.
Brad

**Mael Coluim** · 9th August 09, 08:30 PM

What amazed me as the train headed to Edinburgh was the historic towns that we passed through. All of them worthy of a several days visit.

**Mael Coluim** · 9th August 09, 08:31 PM

Okay, you in the UK, are about to learn how deprived we yanks really are. Maybe it’s just me and my fellow Americans will just say Mael you are depraved!

In the US, (IMHO) you can’t get a decent cup when you are out and about. The water is too tepid to make a decent cup of tea. Now I mainly I drink coffee in the morning and have tea in the afternoon that I make. When the refreshment trolley came through my train car, I ordered a cuppa.

I was so impressed with the lid that held the tea bag! Just look at this engineering marvel. Back in the USA, I would have to squeeze the tea bag with my fingers and discard it. This lid allows you to pull the string up and a squeeze the tea bag.

Then the bag remains suspended in the upper lid as you enjoy your tea. Amazing!

Okay, it doesn’t take much to excite me. And one of my liabilities in having a Mum who taught me what tea should be.

**Mael Coluim** · 9th August 09, 08:34 PM

Surfacing, Waverly Station this tour coach marks my arrival. I made my way to the University of Edinburgh Pollack Halls where I would reside for the weekend being near Holyrood Park, home of The Gathering.

Securing my luggage at the reception center. I headed out to explore.
I headed to Holyrood Park to see where I needed to be tomorrow. It was so scenic.

I couldn’t resist adding some of the local fauna to my ball cap.

**Mael Coluim** · 9th August 09, 08:37 PM

It was about a 20 minute walk to The Gathering site.

Willie the wee sheep does have a sense of humor!

My Gathering Passport gained me entry to the site and did some pre-Gathering exploring to get the lay of the land to prepare myself for tomorrow.

**Mael Coluim** · 9th August 09, 08:41 PM

Knowing the lay of the land of the Gathering site, I went out to see the Palace.

Notice the flag, The Rampant Lion. Another will be flying tomorrow.

To the right is the Scottish Parliament building. The Council of Chiefs was meeting at this time. As I approached this area, a lass approached me and said, I see the dandelion in your bonnet you must be an XMarker! I had found Acute Enigma. No, she found me! We planned to meet at the Bow Bar that evening for our scheduled Kilt Night.