24th May 2024 Hi, This is just a brief note to accompany the photos of a quick trip over to Belfast, primarily to see the Titanic exhibition. I swithered as to whether it was worth putting this in a blog but I think it will give you a brief taster of what the facility is like. It was a fairly short overnight visit. Easyjet flights were cheap with carry on luggage only and we got a centrally located air b n b. There not a lot you can say about major exhibitions...

24th July 2023 Hi, On 10th July I headed up to the north of Scotland to spend a week on the croft with friends Norman Schouten (a former travelling companion - see Patagonia blogs 2012), wife Nem and family. The croft house is called Tordarroch, and is in Rogart, a beautiful part of Sutherland. Tordarroch means 'mound of the oak-wood' and an oak clad hill is just across the main road from the croft. This blog is just a brief note to introduce the photos of the...

31st May 2023 Hi, This is just a brief note to accompany the photos taken at the marriage of Alex Macarie and Rachel Mary Macleod which I was kindly invited to attend. Instead of the usual distance travelling I walked the 1.3 miles from my flat to St Judes FP Church at Woodlands Road on what was billed as the hottest day of the year so far. The service was conducted by Rev Roderick Macleod, father of the bride who also gave her away. The reception was at Bocl...

16th August 2022 Hi, Hopefully this will be the start of a few journeys exploring parts of Scotland I have made a list of, with the intention of visiting in retirement. The prompt for this particular trip was the wedding of Iona Gillies to Martin Youngson in Cullen, more of which later. Tuesday August 2nd I left Glasgow on and visited in the Inverness area, staying over at Balloan Farm for a catch up with family there. Wednesday August 3rd Heading east on I...

21st June 2022 Hi, On 18th June 1982 my cousin Iain MacQueen of Balloan Farm was married to Janette MacKenzie from Gairloch in the FP Church at Chapel Street, Inverness. My late father Rev Donald MacLean officiated. The reception was in Drumossie Hotel, south of Inverness. Forty years on we gathered again at Drumossie to celebrate their Ruby Wedding with Iain and Janette. A lovely dinner was served up in a private dining room and we had a video presentation of...