Ireland and Scotland

Lough Erne in County Fermanagh above and below

Errigal highest point in  County Donegal

Derryveagh mountain range 4 of the seven sisters which of the seven I couldn't say  but I did find the spellings of the Seven Sisters,  Muckish, Crocknalaragah, Aghla Beg, Ardloughnabrackbaddy, Aghla More,  Mackoght and Errigal.  Say those three times and not even fast.

Hills near a cousins farm

Looking over to the Foyle River from the top of the lane on cousins farm

The Giants Causeway, these rocks amaze me every time I see them hexagon columns some curve up and some curve down.

The Giant Finn McCool was quite the civil engineer. The Causeway goes under the sea and comes up on an island on the west side of Scotland and it takes a boat ride to get there and we didn't have time.

Mountains in Scotland our tour from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye and back.

Our  bus driver was very knowledgable about the area and the history and knew scenic spots just off the beaten path.

 Scotts View in the Borderlands to the south of Edinburgh, Sir Walter Scott the writer would walk or ride horse to this viewpoint to ponder his next book.  --Ann--

Kilts and Tartans

The Tartan Weaving Mill in Edinburgh, Scotland had a display of kilts through the centuries. The kilt hasn't changed much but the jackets and cuffs certainly reflect the fashions of the day.  The fabric worn over the shoulder is called a fly plaid and is always the same tartan as the kilt.  Before the tailor made kilts the fabric was laid on the ground and pleated, the wearer laid down on top of the pleats and wrapped the fabric around and fastened the kilt with a belt.  A large portion of fabric hung behind the kilt so that was wrapped around the shoulder.  Notice the 3 guys on the right below.

Americans refer to the woven fabric as a plaid but it is a tartan.  In Scottish or Irish terms plaid refers to a flat tartan fabric that is used as a blanket or as they call it a rug.  The kilt was worn as a garment by day and used as a blanket by night.

Spools of thread for warping the loom to weave a tartan

 All those warp threads are wound in pattern onto a large spool which is then wound onto the loom.

Look at how fast that shuttle goes back and forth.

 All those beautiful tartans

And the price.....add 60% for American dollars. I didn't buy any.  It takes almost 8 yards to make a kilt and they are completely hand sewn.  Military kilts are pleated so it looks like all horizontal stripes on the back.  Kilts for everyone else are pleated in pattern so the tartan is the same in the pleated area as the flat fabric. All the pleats are hand measured, basted, pressed and sewn and pressed some more.  The Highland House of Fraser had wonderful exhibit of kilts and a workshop where kilts were being sewn but no flash photography so no pics.  There was a kilt on the display table that was pleated so the vertical pleats were dominate on the back very sharp looking.  Pleated in pattern below

The 12th of July Parade at Kesh Northern Ireland.  The pouch worn in front is called a sporran, these are made of horse hair for festival dress.  They are also made out of leather or fur with shiny hardware.

Don't they look grand!  Still wondering what is worn underneath--Ann--

Castles and estates

Ruins of Raphoe Castle in County Donegal Ireland

Florence Court  in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland the tour included upstairs and downstairs life but photography was not allowed inside.  The kitchen was set up as if a meal was being prepared.

 The gardeners cottage at Florence Court. Don't you just love the climbing roses!?

 The gardens at Florence Court
vegetables and flowers
the roses were heavenly.

 Inside Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh Scotland. It was built high on a hill or rather a volcano and has been in existence as a fortress of some sort since 200AD.

 View of Edinburgh from the cannon portal

 Another view of Edinburgh

Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye home to the MacLeod clan for 800 years.  Extensively restored inside and again no photography allowed.

 Eilean Donan Castle near Dornie on the western side of Scotland. This castle has been used in several movies including the James Bond movie The World is Not Enough.

 Viking visitors or invaders from centuries ago.

 Inside the castle

 another view of Eilean Donan Castle

Inverness Castle on the River Ness in Inverness, Scotland It is used by the police department and city offices of Inverness.--Ann--