It was Burns Night last night in Scotland (if not all around the world!). It’s a commemoration, on his birthday, of the life & works of poet Robert – aka Rabbie – Burns.
The annual celebration usually involves saying grace, a poetry recitation, bagpipe playing, a supper of soup & haggis, numerous speeches and a few Scotch whisky toasts interspersed throughout the evening.
Did you sip a wee dram or two in celebration?
Burns Night
Curated by H is for Home
Way back in 1990, I visited Glasgow the year it was European City of Culture. I took a National Coach from Brighton that arrived at dawn – it was a magical experience. There was such a buzz to the area – I’d never seen so many cranes on a skyline and building work going on! While I was there, I took myself on a little Charles Rennie Mackintosh tour of the city.
I visited The Mackintosh House at the Hunterian Art Gallery, the Scotland Street School, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum gazed up at the Daily Record Building facade, had cake in the Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchiehall Street and took a magical train journey along the river Clyde out to The Hill House in Helensburgh.
Of all the places I visited on that trip, my favourite was the Glasgow School of Art. I was really upset when I saw images of it ablaze on the news last month. How do you replace all the fantastic wooden desks and panelling in the library? The glass in the windows of the top-floor studio? It’s such a shame, I hope it can be restored.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh is one of my favourite British architect/designers – and, to top it off, it was his birthday day before yesterday!
This week we’re touring Scotland in our World Dolls Series of books.
There are twelve little books in the series. We’ve managed to get hold of them all, so we can do quite a comprehensive tour of Europe now.
Our doll guides for this trip are Andrew & Sheena – sporting their national costumes which they wear for high days & holidays (they dress down in jeans & T-shirt during the rest of the week!)
Fabulous illustrations once more – this time the work of M. Russon from the Birmingham School of Design.
They’re very atmospheric with a distinct 1960s feel.
We love the colours in this book – subtle shades of green, ochre & blue with flashes of bright red.
Some illustrations are full of tiny detail, but they retain a simple, spare quality too.
We take in towns, harbours and the wonderful Scottish countryside.
We love the depiction of life on the croft.
Next week we’re heading off to Wales – hope you’ll join us!
What is it about tartan that makes us feel Christmas-y? Think tartan, think roaring fires indoors, snowy blizzards outside; hot toddies and wee drams of whisky!
Tartan is often made of wool and tweed – thick, warming and water resistant – ideal outerwear materials to combat the ‘dreich‘ Scottish weather. The pattern & material is often brought indoors and used for blankets and throws, seating upholstery and curtains. Tartans are strong patterns and often vibrant colours – great for adding flashes of interest, but don’t overdo it – unless of course, you happen to live in a Scottish baronial castle!
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