Highland lady's, maybe.

I was having a browse though my photos and thought these four might form a tenuous theme, all having been taken while up in Stornoway during our recent trip there. The first two, the statues were sited on the harbour walk in Stornoway depicting the fisherwomen.

Next two young ladies were spotted on the ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway, and the poster was affixed to a lamppost in Stornoway advertising the young lady's hen party.

A Rose by any other name

Monday night and it is blowing a gale outside, the effects of dying hurricane Katia hitting the UK - bad enough here but a full blown hurricane must be terrifying.

On a more pleasant theme, I took a picture of this rose in "Iggys cup cake shop" in William Street, Edinburgh, on Saturday. The cakes were lovely as well - and we had a rare pot of tea, no messing about with tottie wee cups there.

Round the corner I could not resist taking another snap of St Mary's Cathedral, one of the spires - with these winds, there will soon be no more leaves left.

Sunday, despite the weather, which varied between clear and dry, light rain to heavier rain - a team from the Dolphin Inn / Mercat Bar (with followers), took part in the Annual Sponsor's Day bowling tournament at Penicuik Private Bowling Club. There was a superb turnout for the game and we had sixty four men on the green, playing eight rinks - and we finished off with all the players standing on the four edges of the green, the jack was set in the centre and at the same time everyone threw their bowls - the jack went all over the place and the owner of the nearest bowl to the jack won a bottle of whisky - pot luck and fun. Of note, the first house we lived in after being married is in the background, minus the harling - Mrs B. used to shake the curtains to attract my attention when bowling and get me home when dinner was ready!!

Tram comments - Edinburgh

Our friends at the "Copymate" print shop over the road have produced their latest tram poster - enough said !!!

A day out by train .

Had a first today, by taking the train from Edinburgh to Aberdeen instead of driving as usual.

Unfortunately I only had my small camera, but next time I will be better prepared - in any case I took the attached pictures from the Forth Rail Bridge of North Queesferry and the old gun emplacements at Inchkeith Island in the middle of the River Forth under the bridge.

Hot on the trail once again.

Busy couple of days to keep me out of mischief - down at The Dolphin Inn, then home and back out again.


Last night I headed for the town to go to an IPA meeting, but stopped off at the main library in George IV Bridge to do a bit of research!!!








On my way there I had stopped off at Parliament Square and spotted the date blocks on the ground which indicate the various periods of Edinburgh's history.


The statue of the Duke of Buccleuch, is adjacent, however as it pretty ornate and well worth a good look I am going back to have another look and find out a bit more about it and its many panels.

My research in the library was in connection with the paving stone engraved withe the name BLAIKIE at 38 Queen Street outside Duncanson's shop. I found out that there was an antique dealer and furniture shop there in 1895 owned by a J B Blaikie, who even lived above the shop but that was shown as being entered by 65 Frederick Street. So far I do not think that this is any connection with me - however I did find records relating to my Grandfather at 2 Perth Street, and his sister who owned a tobacconist shop in 25 Rose Street ( which is now part of Milne's Bar). This lady later moved to 6 Queen Street (in 1916) which was new information to me, so work to be done. I also founds records relating to other relatives dating from 1919 so I need to do more research and cross referencing soon.

Bit of a rush heading for the Police Club at York Place but I detoured via No 6 Queen Street, and took the attached photo for my history book.

Next stop was the Police Club in York Place where we had our monthly meeting of the Edinburgh Branch of the International Police Association, more news of visits to the City by members from overseas - next groups are Danish, with one staying for a wee "doo" we are having on 16th inst.

Happy Birthday William

Must start by wishing William of Eagham a happy 21st again birthday , cheers - his biggest problem was that it was raining and he could not cut his grass, however - it was a "Lovely" day here today, sunshine (I think) and very pleasant out.

We headed off this morning early making for Barrhead, by Glasgow to attend a christening, but stopped off at East Kilbride for breakfast at a Frankie and Bennie's restaurant. We then stopped and took a look at the sailing and activities centre off Stewartfield Road, which was quite busy with groups sailing and canoeing - what great resource for the community

A cabbage is a cabbage is a dashed big thingy

Totally impressed today when one of our clients came in with an enormous cabbage, which i though was a consolation prize for the Scottish Team following their unfortunate draw this afternoon !!! The game was well over before I eventually realised it had ended up in a draw.

The cabbage here would make loads of coleslaw !! and he also has massive leeks, and other vegetables which he takes to the local horticultural shows.