Friday, July 19, 2013

In the Hebrides: Isle of Lewis

Stone Age Village replication of houses 4000 years ago:



Standing Stones:
 


The Lewis Chessmen were also found here in a small chest on this island and date back to the 12th century.


A link to the chessmen: 
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=lewis+chessmen+lewis&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari&gws_rd=cr&redir_esc=&ei=N9noUcatN8KFhQeS6IHwDg

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Lichen, Lobster Boxes, Highland Cows


We were told by a bus driver that one form of lichen grows only on the Hebrides because of the pure ness of the air quality.  I've not yet found this particular species yet, but here are a few pictures of lichen and lobster boxes.





Kilts galore for sale!

Highland cows


St. Magnus Cathedral on Orkney:

Monday, July 15, 2013

Time with The Shetland Guild

At a community meeting house, we met and chatted with lovely ladies from the area who do more fibre activities in a day than any teenager texts in a week.  Get the gist of how their world is centered on sheep by-products?  These ladies not only were knowledgeable and sharing, but also were gracious hosts.  They provided us with an excellent tea.






Alan Raistrick has been studying spinning wheels for years. Not only is it his particular hobby, but he also has contributed articles to The Spinning Wheel Sleuth (their website is www.spwhsl.com).  He attended the guild meeting where some spinning was going on.


The spinners and knitters were likely giving him literary forage for his next article in 
The Spinning Wheel Sleuth.  He has quite a series of his articles in their index going back to 1993. Thanks for talking with us, Alan!

More pretty pictures, this time the photographer was not this blogger, but Barbara Bonham from Ohio.



And my favorite: