The Holly & The Ivy

Gathering the Greens

The holiday season is well under way. I hope amidst the usual busyness of December you take time to slow down and experience the beauty of the season, the dark and starry nights, the twinkling lights, warm hearts, fires in the hearth, traditions of old and new.

A quick note: Nearly everything in shop is 20 to 40 percent off and much of it comes shipped for free. Gathering the Green Print above is only $5.40 and the Yuletide Emerald Post is only $10.40 both with free shipping. 

Yuletide Emerald Post

Scottish Relics: Crichton Castle

"That castle rises on the steep

Of the green vale of Tyne;

And far beneath, where slow they creep

From pool to eddy, dark and deep,

Where alders moist and willows weep

You hear her streams repine."

- description of Crichton Castle in1808 

by Sir Walter Scott from Marmion

Crichton Castle rising from the banks of the Tyne below. Built around 1400 by John Crichton. This castle is unbelievably picturesque and grand. Cared for by Historic Environment Scotland and on their Members Pass, about 40 minutes from Edinburgh and well worth a visit.

It was the very end of May when we visited but the May Tree, hawthorn, was at her splendid height of bloom as you can see. The castle overlooks this incredibly lush river valley, a strategic outpost with near 360 degree views and would have held control of the river. 

Unique diamond faceted façade added in 1580 by Francis Stewart - inspired by journeys to Italy.

Inside of the Grand Stables

The Grand Stables

The Gatehouse

Crichton Collegiate Church - Built in 1449 by William Crichton, Chancellor and one of the most powerful people in Scotland at the time.

Happy Halloween

Today, Halloween is upon us. The ancient Celtic roots are just underfoot at Samhain (summer's end) as we tread across the threshold from the light half of the year to the dark half, a time of fire and ice, hearth and home. Explore some roots and traditions below and enjoy your celebrations. 

Macnas Parade Galway 
Halloween Origins
Derry Halloween Celebrations
Halloween from Ireland to America

Ireland - Land of Saints and Scholars

Trinity College Dublin - www.tcd.ie

Ever fancy moving to Ireland, enrolling at Trinity College and studying some Irish History? Well, you can have a little slice of that dream from the comfort of home if you wish. Trinity College Dublin has offered a FREE online course "The Book of Kells: Exploring an Irish Mediavel Masterpiece."  The course is super easy to join, did I mention free, and it has just begun - available until Nov. 18th.

Page from Book of Kells - www.tcd.ie

It is a self paced 4 week course. I've already been through the course material for week one. It is fascinating and well presented with articles, videos, and interactive media. The course is offered through www.futurelearn.com which offers tons of other free online courses (also of note Irish 102: An Introduction to Irish Language & Culture). So go sign up, sharpen you pencils and your wits for a journey through Medieval Ireland. Grab a scarf and a hot cuppa tea as you imagine with me - strolling through the Autumn grounds of Trinity College, into the Long Room Library to learn in the land of Saints & Scholars.

The Long Room at Trinity College Dublin www.tcd.ie 

A Little Scotland at Home

Wild thistles blooming on a cool foggy morning...It is easy to be transported to the Highlands, to imagine traipsing in fields around the misty lochs, exploring ancient battlements. The Thistle is the national flower of Scotland (as the Shamrock is to Ireland, the Rose to England, and the Daffodil to Wales). Though some may consider it to be a noxious weed, the thistle works perfectly to represent the Scottish people and land. It is beautiful, with its delicate purple bloom yet sharp with thorns and resilient. Legend holds that Vikings were attacking a Scottish settlement in the night; to be stealthy they crept in barefoot as the Scots were asleep in town. The barefoot Vikings unknowingly stepped into some thistle, laden with thorns, and shouted in pain, alerting the Scottish, who woke and readied for battle. The thistle saved the day and it is said that from then on it became an emblem for Scotland. 

This is one of my favorite souvenirs from our most recent journey to Scotland. It is a cast carving of a thistle done in a Celtic knot style. We picked it up at Canongate Crafts on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. It is a tiny little gift shop, in my opinion the best one in Edinburgh - if not Scotland. Everything in the shop is made is Scotland. I've also bought from there: a ceramic vase, carved wooden coasters, a handmade button, a Celtic bronze necklace, and a stained glass medallion. They have even filmed some scenes from Outlander just outside the door! Check out my favorite wee shop HERE and HERE. They do take orders over the phone or email if you can't get to Edinburgh. 

A Summer Sale

Everything in SHOP is on sale now through August 3rd as we near the Celtic festival of Lunasa (or Lughnasadh) marking the beginning of the harvest season, inklings of Autumn, and a turn toward the cool and the colorful bounty that awaits us (I can't wait!). Also newly added to the shop are some vintage travel guide books and pamphlets. Check them out HERE.

My Heart's in the Highlands

Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North,
The birth-place of Valour, the country of Worth;
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love. 

My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer;
Chasing the wild-deer, and following the roe,
My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go.

Farewell to the mountains, high-cover'd with snow,
Farewell to the straths and green vallies below;
Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods,
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods.
My heart's in the Highlands,

-Robert Burns

I've recently returned from the very heart or the Scottish Highlands, an absolutely stunning landascape as sublime as it is romantic. I love the diversity of the landscape, the personality of each mountain range, each soft valley.  Hover photos for caption.