Visiting Dignitaries

I don't know if you are aware, but Cop 26 is happening in Glasgow starting tomorrow.  Dignitaries from all over the globe are descending on our wee city to tackle climate change.  Greta Thunberg is already here.  Biden is on his way and even Matt Damon, though I'm not sure they are traveling together.  Bummer the Queen had to back out, but understandable due to her recent visits to and fro the hospital.  We've got 120 world leaders and Lord Levi is already here, so we got that covered.  

But my favorite visiting dignitaries have been the friends who feed my soul!   

My best bud Heidi has been a friend for decades, we even moved to Dublin at the same time.  She is one of the greatest souls I know and I'm honored that she lets me be her friend!  She is a slice of home to me because I feel at peace in her presence, never having to prove who I am or even explain it.  She's just that precious to me.  

She has a love for travel that matches my own and is up for adventures of any kind!  So we hit the road.  

Stirling Castle was first up and we got to explore it with her daughter Morgan and Chad.  The three of them were touring Scotland all while visiting me in Glasgow as well.  

I loved this castle.  It was complete with people dressed in period clothing touring us around the castle.  This was the home of Scottish monarchs including Mary Queen of Scots.  The graveyards and garden walks were amazing.

We then headed over to the Wallace Monument for another heart and lung workout.  The climbing felt like 5 miles straight up into the sky, and is where I found these skallywags.  

William Wallace to the rescue.  A national hero here in Scotland and said to be who the Braveheart film is modeled after.  

I created my own shield.  Since Levi can become a Lord, I think I will become a knight in neon armor!

The views on this stunning day were incredible.  

After Heidi, Morgan and Chad toured the Scottish countryside, Heidi returned to Glasgow for some more adventures.  And boy did we have fun!

The first day we set off to go to Pitlochry for Heathergems jewelry.  We decided to stop at the Scone Palace since it was on the way in Perth.

It was the crowning place of Scottish kings.  

There were peacocks everywhere.

Heidi and the Highland cows were discussing the meaning of life.

This wee one, couldn't care less.  

We then decided to head on over to St Andrew's, because it really isn't that far.  It was a bit rainy for the golfers.  

But they were dressed well!

I love the wee town of St. Andrews.  It is stunning and fun to walk around in.

We even found a fantabulous Thai restaurant complete with free beer glasses to tourists.  At least that is how we interpreted it!

On Heidi's last day in our fair country, we got to visit the Mackintosh house.  I've been wanting to go there for a year, and it was well worth the wait.  Besides the Museum nazi's that targeted me and my deviant ways, we had a great time exploring and enjoying the house.  

I can confirm that touching the table is off limits! 

So much of the designs were beautiful, and smacked of Frank Lloyd Wright to me.  Stunning and quite uncomfortable IMHO.  (though trust me, I DID NOT sit down, we would have been immediately evacuated if I had!)

Margaret Macdonald was Charles Rennie's wife and was an artist in her own right.  They met at Glasgow Uni.  It is cool that she was/is celebrated as well as he is.  But they did not gain that fame until long after their deaths.  So true for so many artists I'm afraid.  

These are the exact same iron spindles I have in my house.  I was feeling quite special about it until the guide said that the Macintoshes wanted to change them, but didn't have the time or resources.  I'm just gonna pretend he loved them and kept them for that reason.  Because I do love mine and think they are cool (until I have to clean them, and then I curse them!)

It was so great to see friends and enjoy some travel.  It was a blast.  All while having a bit of a 'chinwag' (a 'chat' in Britain - I find that hilarious and a bit graphic).  

Thanks for stopping by Heidi!  

Okay who is next?  The guest room is ready!

Celtic Kitty

  

PS.  We never did make it to Pitlochry.  Maybe next time..............