The World According to Linda

The New Year is Calling ....Hogmanay's Coming

2009-12-21T08:43:00.000-08:00

Another year is quickly coming to a close, though many of us are still working on the preparation for Christmas, including myself.
Christmas is fast followed by the New Year's Eve celebrations around the world. One of the largest of these will be taking place in Edinburgh - " Hogmanay ".
As the folk (that hold to auld traditions ) head home after the celebrations, ...they will lock their doors. These doors will not be opened for any but....a tall handsome man carrying a bottle of spirit with him...(though in today's world...it could be a woman as well), ...only then, ... will they be welcomed into the house to share in the bottle (no doubt) and this is called "Firstfooting". The first to have footing into your hoose for the new year, ...bringing with them good fortune and well-being in the form of friendship and libation to bring the New Year in ...the proper way.....sounds great doesn't it?

This time of year is for reflection, ...reflection of all the things that have come to pass in the last year and the influence it has all had on each of our lives. To say good- bye to those people and things that have forever passed from our lives and to welcome all those things that are lurking in the future for us.

It is my sincere hope that each of you have a wonderful Christmas, ...and a very Happy Hogmanay!
( NOTE: If you happen to stumble in my direction...in the wee hours of the moring on the 1st day of 2010,
and you happen to have a bottle in your hands, ...I prefer a good single-malt to any another libation!)
LOL!

Happy Holidays,
Linda

The Royal Mail - bless 'em

2009-12-15T08:56:00.000-08:00

I know we like to poke fun at the mail carriers, and this is not just a local phenomenon but world-wide.
This time of year with all the posted cards and packages, all mail carriers have their backs up against the wall trying their best to make deliveries in a timely fashion.

Scotland with it's remote lay-out and small villages dotting the landscape has been (no doubt) a challenge down through history. But, that hasn't seemed to hindered the mail getting through.

I once sent a package to a business in Inverness. I didn't have the completed address ...but had been assured by people down through the years ...that it shouldn't matter!

So I addressed it this way:

Harley's Pub and Grill
(upstairs) on the High Street
above a local dress shop
Inverness
Scotland UK

2 years later I stopped by the Pub and there was the sign I'd sent them next to the mirror behind the bar.
The local carriers (no doubt) knew exactly where I intended the package to go. And had probably had a pint or two in the establishment down through the years themselves.

Another remarkable thing in Scotland is...
you can "Ride with the Royal Mail".

If you need to go to a remote area that no public transportation travels to...you can (with proper notification)
go to the local Post Office and request riding out to the area with the local Postman (woman). If you arrange it so you can normally hitch a ride back in a few days. Brilliant!

This is a very good way to have a "public service" actually serve the public, save petrol, and...
the postman know everyone and most everything going on in the local area, ...so your tour will be very informative in local lore.
So if you're ever in an area in Scotland where you'd like to venture out farther... but don't know how to get there... check with the Royal mail and see if they can help you out.

Happy Trails,
Linda

"Once in a Blue Moon" ....

2009-12-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

We've all heard that expression but many don't know what it means.

A Blue Moon is when 2 Full Moons fall within one calender month.
That would be the case this month. There was a Full Moon on the 2nd...
and another will come on the 31st.

This month (Dec.21st) also will see in the celebration of Auld called Winter Solstice.
This was one of the significant events with the Pre-Christain Celts.
It was seen (and is still seen by many that practice "The Old Ways" today)
as the day of the Death and Rebirth of the Sun (The birth of the Sun (son) sound familiar?)

Later it would be called 'Yule' or the Yuletide.

The Full Moon following this Winter Solstice celebration is considered to be the most powerful Full Moon of the year for ancient rituals.

This day (Winter Solstice) is of course the day that is the shortest in daylight and the sun is the lowest in the sky.
On the next dawn with the rebirth of the Sun, the days begin to grow longer and the sun slowly grows stronger, until we reach the Summer Solstice (the longest day of the year).

Candles, bonfires, and torches were lit to welcome the Sun back to the Earth and all those good things that come with it...the melting of snow and frost, warmth, light and the promise of a fruitful and prosperous Spring and Summer for all.

Another fact ...brought to you by...
Linda

Christmas Shopping

2009-12-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Folk...

It's turning cold and the snow is soon to fall...or so they say on the news programs....

If any of you have a need for goods from the shop and can't make the trip...feel free to contact me through the
email address at the sidebar. If you know what the item is and it's possible to ship it out to you I would be willing to do that.
Also...if you are planning a trip to the coast (and th shop) on a day that is when the shop is not open ...
just contact me through this same email address....and we can make an appointment to meet up at the shop.

The Homecoming Events in Scotland have now come to a close for the year. And what a year it was!!!!

The next big event will be in 2014...with the 700th Anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn, should be a hoot.

Back on the American Homefront...Burn's Night Supper's are just around the corner...Jan 25th.
I will list as many event venues as I can find, over the next weeks.

I trust you're all staying warm and healthy.
All the Best,
Linda

Holiday-Thanksgiving Weekend-Sale

2009-11-23T09:09:00.000-08:00

Dear Folk,

I will be at the shop on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this weekend, for your Christmas shopping needs.
I will open as usual at 10am and continue through the day until 3pm or later....Sunday I may leave earlier if
the crowds are light.

I do never run sales in the shop ...but this year I would like to have a customer appreciation sale...
Mention this site and receive 10% off of your purchase. (But, you'll have to remind me of this...no doubt I'll
have a "semi-coma brain" induced by the tryptophan coursing through the veins from the mass amounts of turkey and other fine foods spread out on the table that Thursday.

I sincerely hope You will All have a Mighty Good Time with Friends and Family this Thanksgiving!

And I'd like to thank-you all for your never-ending support over the years...and for the years to come.
I've had a great time in the shop, ...as I hope you have.

All the Best to you...
and those that care for You!

Slainte,
Linda

Northwest Events - Irish Music et al....

2009-11-21T20:20:00.000-08:00

Heads Up here's some venue you may want to see.....

Come celebrate the timeless magic of Celtic Yuletide with our Boulding family midst a grand array of Northwest talent. Three generations come together in this brilliant festival of Irish music, dance and storytelling to bring joy and warmth into the heart of winter.

Order your tickets today! See the complete schedule below.

Now spanning over three decades, Yuletide comes alive when Tara Academy's award winning Irish Dancers and juggler extraordinaire Thomas Arthur join Magical Strings on stage. Our virtuoso violinist and daughter Brittany, who has just moved back from NYC will offer a stunning solo. You'll hear the magnificent Irish flute and vocals of Hanz Araki, be mesmerized by Colleen Raney's sparkling voice and Mark Raney's poignant songs and warm humor. You'll be transported to the Celtic lands with the haunting pipes of Tom Creegan and by the stories and fresh harp and dulcimer music from Philip and Pam's recent journey to Ireland and much more-get inspired, join the procession, and kindle the light of Yuletide!

This coming Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 & 8 you can hear Brittany perform as Concertmaster with the Bellevue Philharmonic at the Meydenbauer. It is wonderful having our daughter back in Seattle and seeing her frequently perform with the Seattle Symphony; she is also the new Concertmaster of the Auburn Symphony.

Philip will be in Spokane at Inland Crafts, November 6-8. For those of you in the Spokane area, come visit the booth and see our gorgeous new harps, and pick up a copy of our newest CD "Best of Magical Strings - Dances and Dreams", a 2-CD set that richly encompasses thirty years of Magical Strings music.

Celtic Yuletide Concert Schedule for 2009

Shoreline: Sunday, Nov. 29, 3:00 pm, Shorecrest Performing Arts Center, 206-417-4645

Olympia: Friday, Dec. 4, 7:30 pm, Saint John's Episcopal Church

Kent: Sunday, Dec. 6, 3:00 pm, Kent-Meridian Perf. Arts Center 253-856-5050

Portland: Saturday, Dec. 12, 7:30 pm, 1st Congregational Church

Bellevue: Monday, Dec. 14, 7:00 pm, Theater at Meydenbauer

Tacoma: Friday, Dec. 18, 7:30 pm, Urban Grace

Seattle: Saturday, Dec. 19, 3:00 pm, University Christian Church

Mt. Vernon: Monday, Dec. 21, 7:00 pm, The Lincoln Theater, 712 S 1st Street, 360-336-8955

Tickets for Olympia, Portland, Bellevue, Tacoma and Seattle can also be purchased by phone at 800-838-3006

We look forward to seeing you at one of our concerts!
Pam and Philip Boulding

WWW.MAGICALSTRINGS.COM

Changes for the Better

2009-11-11T08:34:00.000-08:00

My son is presently working on this posting site...which will soon have a different look and appeal...
or so I'm being told.
I am one who doesn't like abrupt changes in life, ...more into a slow evolution of things.

I just typed in the World According to Linda in the google search bar and the new site came up in the search.
It looks a bit white and stark but has many options for a better overall navigation (or so it will be in the future).
And it has the same postings as here but doesn't list the contact info and links yet...this will be remedied hopefully today or tomorrow.
If you find this (new) site and wish to come back to this one...if you click the "Home" word it brings you back here...
I'm confused.... are you?

With this new site there will be an authors page and I'll be able to separate the catagories of Events, Folklore,
Poetry, Shop Hours and the like....that's the theory anyway.

I really don't understand all this...but do comprehend the "idea" of it. Not my forte!
That's where the son comes in...he is the Internet Expert, and has been working hard at this for some time now.
Also in the works is a much requested On-Line shopping site...(still in the works) which will make it easier for those of you that live outside the NW...to be able to get product from my shop, without having to physically travel here...that's the theory anyway.

When he first set-up this site for me years ago...I had the same approach...cautiously I went forward.
At first I had no idea what to blether on about 'on the blog', I felt like I was exposing myself to the world...like a flasher..LOL!
But slowly I came to understand that it was a great avenue to be able to keep the public informed on events and tell stories ...etc. So I expect these new changes will be approach by me in the same fashion.

I hope this is not confusing for you...(like it is for me)..I am assured by the man (my son) that all will be for the best and I'll get the hang of it eventually. Fingers crossed, he will be right.

The sun is shining in Seaside...and all is right with the world.
So onward and upward....

Cheers,
Linda

Update on Shop Hours for the Fall and Winter

2009-11-04T09:31:00.000-08:00

I will return to the shop this weekend and have knocked the hours down to
Friday 10am-3pm
Saturday 10am-3pm
Sunday 10am-2pm

Hope to see you all soon....

Cheers,
Linda

St. Andrews Day Celebration

2009-10-31T07:44:00.000-07:00

St. Andrews Day Celebration

Date:        Mon. 30th Nov., 2009

Location: The Fa Fa Gourmet
Chinese restaurant and karaoke bar

Address: 11712 NE Fourth Plain Rd     Vancouver, WA     98682.

Time:        Gathering from 6pm or 7pm, and go until the bar closes.

Everyone Welcome.... All Clans... All Communities... All Societies

If you got Tartan Apparel or Kilt... wear it !!!!

Come celebrate Scotland and it's patron Saint :St Andrew

All Pipers, Singers, Storytellers, Fiddlers, Tin Whistlers, Guitarist etc.
welcome (tips only...for the songs or tunes).

In Memorium-Archie E.MacDonald- My Father-My Hero-My Strength

2009-10-30T08:10:00.000-07:00

On Oct 20th 2009 my father passed from this world. I was on a visit to my parents house when this happened.
I've just returned home and am trying to adjust back into my world after spending almost 2 weeks there.
It's nice to be in my own surroundings again. As has been the theme this year...my son has steadfastly been there for me in my time of need, to take over my position at the counter of the shop.
I will return to the shop next weekend ...until then my son is running the shop Fri., Sat.and Sun.

My apoplogies for my silence here on this site, ...

Linda

Update and Contact Information

2009-10-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

Please note the 'contact address' in the sidebar. This is a new feature that give the readers and my customers a
direct line of contact.

It's time to take a wee break ( and a deep breath), from the onslaught of the busy season and book launch events. Over the next few weeks the shop hours will be pared down a bit. Always there at 10am but the days will vary from Thurs. to just Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. closing when I need to. (maybe after 2pm or 3pm).

Cheers,
Linda

The Warriors and Wordsmiths of Freedom: the Birth and Growth of Democracy

2009-10-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

The following is an article I wrote for the website "Panalba" for the World-wide All-Clan Gathering and book launch events in Scotland this July.
I recently found this on someone's blog site and thought you may enjoy reading it as well.
___________________________________________________________________________________

The Warriors and Wordsmiths of Freedom: the Birth and Growth of Democracy
Linda MacDonald-Lewis 07/20/2009 05:56 AM

The following is an article by the author including excerpts from the above book released this month world-wide available soon on Panalba.

‘It's a woman who wears the mantle of being the progenitor of the Scots people. Scota was her name...'

In the far reaches of Scotland's history... before the Picts and the Scots became one, before Christianity or feudalism set in ...there was a theme of equality, rights, freedom, and choice.
Skatha (Scota) taught the young men of Ireland, including Cuchulain, the skills of being a warrior, from the Isle of Skye. As for the Picts, the other cultural people who inhabited Scotland's shores, their system of inheritance and of rule is believed to have been passed through the line of women. Within this Scots/Pictish culture, many stories have been passed down of female warriors, leaders and advisers.

There never seemed to be a question of "man or woman" in this early history. Ability outranked gender. Equality, choice and consideration of others rights, in the race and social structure, was the result. This basic foundation of equality was a difference that would go on to influence history for many centuries to come.

Many, to this very day, will say, ‘the feudal system of rule reigned over the Middle Ages throughout the Western world.' But in Scotland, the clan systems that descended from the Celtic and Pictish tribes still held the power. Within this realm, the chiefs were not ‘rulers' in the feudal sense, but were considered to be the ‘first among equals'. There was a bloodline connection between the chieftain/chieftainess and the people they viewed as their clan. Not so in the feudal world, where through treachery or war the throne could and often did fall into the hands of a foreign power.

Those same clans were once again to rise up as late as the 1600s and 1700s, to bring their ‘chosen king' back to the throne. They all carried within them, in their hearts and their spirits, that long-held belief in equality and the rights that each person is given at birth.'
The Jacobite Rising is often held out as being fueled by the struggle of Protestant vs. Catholic, which can be misleading. On further study we see many Jacobites were in fact Protestant and Episcopal not struggling to bring back their King (James Stuart) because he was Catholic, but because he was the choice of the people, the ‘chosen king', ...their "rightful king". (Such was the circumstance of those souls the MacIains, on that fateful morning 13 February 1692, known as the Massacre of Glencoe.)
And these Jacobites were not just in Scotland, but throughout Ireland and England as well.
When the Jacobite Rebellion failed at Culloden Moor, many say, this defeat brought about "an end of the Scottish Clans and their way of life". Still, many left Scotland's shores for the Colonies of North America, seeking the right to live in peace and freedom. (Hugh Mercer, was at Culloden with Bonnie Prince Charlie's army and later died on the battlefield in the fight for Independence, at the Battle of Princeton. ). The reasons for fighting on both shores were much the same, ...the ideals surrounding rights of man.

These ideals of basic rights for all go back through millennia; the right to be involved in the choice of leadership, the code of ethics contained within the code of Highland hospitality, and the general way of life. And these same ideals, held fast by the Scots, have helped to deliver up to us, our freedom.
The freedom that we take for granted today was given to us by the sacrifice and endurance of those that came before. This freedom, and the democracy that grew from it, was over 500 years in the making.

This book will take you from the days of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Independence in Scotland, to the days of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson and their fight for freedom in America during the Revolutionary War. Follow the thread from Scotland to America, and come to understand how important one ended up being to the other.
We will see how and why a ‘wordsmith' (writer) in Arbroath, Scotland, created a document in 1320... and the influence it had 450 years later, and thousands of miles away, on a new people, in a new land.'

The similarity between these two documents: The Declaration of Arbroath and the Declaration of Independence did not happen by chance. Both reflect the basic beliefs the race of Scots carried with them no matter where they travelled. These beliefs, held fast by the Scots people, influenced all those that came in contact with them, like the later "Wordsmiths of Freedom"...George Buchanan, John Locke, and Thomas Paine. And, can also be seen in the statement made by George Washington below, as compared to the most famous quote from the Declaration of Arbroath.

For so long as a hundred of us remain alive,we will never submit ourselves to English dominion.We fight not for glory nor riches nor honours;but only and alone we fight for freedom,which no good man gives up,but with his life.
DECLARATION OF ARBROATH, SCOTLAND 1320

If all else fails, I will retreat up the valley of Virginia, plant my flag on the Blue Ridge, rally around the Scotch-Irish of that region and make my last stand for liberty amongst a people who will never submit to British tyranny whilst there is a man left to draw a trigger...
GEORGE WASHINGTON AT VALLEY FORGE, WINTER 1777-78

The book launch for 'Warriors and Wordsmiths' will be held at 11am, Wednesday 29 July at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Dumbarton Road, Stirling FK8 2RQ, please RSVP to 01786 471917 or to museum@smithartgallery.demon.co.uk .
LINDA MACDONALD-LEWIS lives mostly in Seaside, Oregon and has dedicated herself to teaching America about Scotland. She visits Scotland frequently, and in 2005 she represented the USA at a conference on William Wallace at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Stirling, Scotland.
Linda is a Life Member of the Clan Donald Lands Trust in Scotland and is currently the Convener for the Clan Donald-USA, Pacific Northwest Region. She often performs at Highland Games and gatherings as a poet, historian and storyteller.

DunCarron Motte and Bailey Fort

2009-10-08T07:55:00.000-07:00

This is a project a friend of mine back in Scotland has been working on.
Take a look, soon I hope to have information on this project in my Information Centre at the Celtic Story shop in Seaside.

Duncarron – A fortified village of Scotland
The Clanranald Trust is currently building a full-scale replica of an early Medieval Motte & Bailey Fort. This will be typical of the Scottish Clan Chief’s residence throughout the earlier part of the last millennium.
Duncarron is situated in Carron Valley Forest to the East of the Carron Valley Reservoir. Access to the site is via the B818 Denny to Fintry Road. The B818 can also be reached via the Tak-ma-doon road from Kilsyth to Carron Bridge.
Click here - DunCarron Location, for a map view of the project location.
The village settlements were based around a ‘Bailey’ (the Clan Chief’s home and Clan meeting hall), which was usually built on or beside a ‘Motte’ (a natural man made mound). The level of fortification surrounding the Bailey and any other associated buildings depended upon various aspects including, the wealth & size of the Clan, the fort’s location and the strength of other local Clans or aggressor forces.
An authentic medieval working community atmosphere will be created, where groups, parties and individuals can participate in and view a range of activities, typical of the period.
This development will be used as the physical base for the Trust, working with local education authorities, community & theatre groups, national tourism industry, etc. Through participation with these groups, the Trust will create a unique opportunity for promoting Scottish heritage & culture through interaction, providing educational benefits to school children, students and the general public. Promoted as a popular tourist destination, the raised profile of the area will also benefit the local tourism sector economy.
Generating enthusiasm towards historical culture will be achieved through the provision of a complete interactive learning environment, incorporating national curriculum requirements, with hands-on experience, craftwork, self-sufficiency agricultural methods, ongoing building maintenance and the general living skills typical of the people of these times.
This will be a living-working village where people will produce arts and crafts by traditional methods from their workshops. Every effort will be made to utilise clothing materials similar to the times, and Staff and Volunteers will be in period dress.
To add further to the atmosphere, the Fort will offer banquets for weddings and special occasions, events and other activities. It is also expected that the authentic appearance of the Fort will create demand for its use as a location for film productions and period dramas, etc.

Those who are trying to contact me

2009-09-26T08:32:00.000-07:00

Dear treasured customers...

for those who are trying to contact me :
We are working on setting up a contact email address for my customers.

But this will take some time.

Presently the only contact option is to comment on this blog...
but you must leave an email address in the comment...
because it has a "no-reply" in place of your return email address on the comment.

The choice is yours...
if you wish for me to reply to your comment leave your email address in it.

Sorry for the inconveinence ...this will be remedied soon.

Cheers,
Linda

Shop Hours Update

2009-09-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

It seems that I have injured my ribs.

So I will be in the shop.... for as long as I can, this weekend.

10am to ????? Sat. and Sun.

Cheers,
Linda

Flags return to Celtic Story

2009-09-23T10:12:00.000-07:00

I just placed a flag order and they should arrive by next week.
I will have both Scotland flags, (Saltire and Lion), 3 Ireland flags ( Orange and Green, Ulster, and Erin go Braugh), Wales, and the Isle of Man.

If you have yet to see the new Thistle Wall Plaque this is a must see for all of you that are of the Scottish persuasion.

Best to you,
Linda

Beltane Night Story (Combined Version) from the title Lindella and the Faeryfolk

2009-09-15T19:27:00.000-07:00

( This is a short story that was posted (originally) in 6 Parts throughout the month of April 2009 leading up to the celebration of Beltane Night (May Eve). It has been reformatted
in one stream for the present reader. I intend to continue the story of Lindella and her life ... so stay tuned .... to see what twist and turns her future holds.)

Lindella and the Faeryfolk

Chapter One

Beltane Night

This Beltane Night...

She had stayed at the Beltane Fire too long.
But, .... she didn't care. She had a great time, and everyone she'd known for years was there.
Everyone accept her parents, of course; and a few others in the local villages that were just like them.
'They'... all just stayed at home, stuck in their old Calvinistic view and the restrictive world of 'their chosen religion'. They'd have nothing to do with the 'Old Ways' of Pre-Christian beliefs of the Celtic Realm, ... like Faeries, Magic, the Old Gods, nature's omens or other "superstitious things".

Their views never did have much affect on her and how she chose to see the world; but when it came to her Mum's mum ..'Nan', it was a different story. Her Nan had always seemed to have a depth of understanding the world, that her parents and their religion lacked. There was a mysterious magical current running through the way her Nan looked at things, that spoke to her as a young child, and still intrigued her now as a young woman.

Chance would have it, that her parents were open minded enough to not put their own opinions and views of this, on to her. The young woman attributed this to her Nan's influence on the family, and how much respect her mother, had for her own 'Mum'. It was Nan herself, that had chosen her name,before she had come into the world .... 'Lindella', (a modernized version of the name for the Ancient Celtic 'Serpent of Wisdom' ). She was Nan's first and only granddaughter, from her own daughter and as she often said, "she had an ancient right, to do so".
Nan was very wise indeed, respected by all that knew her and by those that had only heard of her.

"Besides," .... Lindella thought, ...she was 22 years old, and "could make her own decisions about life; and live with the ramifications that would come from those choices, ... whether good or bad." Or so she had been told, .... for all these many years by both her parents, .... and her Nan. ....."

Every year, since she could remember, the locals would gather on the eve before that day of May 1st, ...hours before dusk, and head up the hillside to set a blaze, the Beltane Night's giant bonfires. Each of the villagers carried huge baskets of food and drinks, filled to the brim, blankets of tartan pattern (usually from the clan of that particular family), and musical instruments of every sort known to the Highlands. The crofters that had livestock, brought them along as well, to be driven between the bonfires in an 'act of purification', - to drive out any evil or disease that had set into them, from the (now dwindling), winter's dark and wild ways. Heading for the high ground the locals would make this seasonal migration, leaving the lower landscapes behind, so the Faeryfolk could have the freedom of movement, without any interference from the human beings, that would stay in the hills until dawn. It was common knowledge that the Faery Host would move across the land that night each year. And any one that cared for their own life would not dare to come in contact with them.

This year Lindella had been home from University, and decided to head up with the rest of them, for the first time. She was very happy she'd made the choice to go. Her only mistake was, to ease her mother's worry about it by, blurting out...." I'll just go for awhile ....okay? And I give you my word that I'll be home before dusk.....alright mummy?" The fatal part was saying she'd "give her word", or she would have stayed on til dawn, once she got there.

Regardless, .... the time had now come, for her to leave this grand scene, celebrating Rite of the Coming of Spring, and make her way back to the only home she'd ever known, and the comforts that had always been there for her. After all.... she 'had' given her mother 'her word', and anyone in the Highlands knows by the time they're 5 years old ....."that a man's Word is his Worth" as her father would always say...."you can justify killin' a man but you canna EVER justify breaking your word ....".
So sadly, she said her goodbyes, to all her life-long friends, and off she went down the hill.

Singing softly to herself, she half-danced, half-skipped, with her arms swinging gently and a twirl mixed in now and then. With the blaze from the fires lighting the sky and the music still strongly filling the air, she drifted down the hill to entered the woodland path that would lead to the open moors, ... and home.
She softly sang the lyrics from the music being played at the celebration; although now it was in a slightly fading volume, she could still hear the cries of jubilation occasionally rising above it.
And, she was still feeling 'right good' and had a glow from the mead that greeted her as she arrived and the drinks of whisky from the flasks, that followed throughout that early evening.
A carefree energy from the Gathering still pulsed through her body along with that of the golden liquid spirits.

Giggling slightly, while she walked, and recalling some of the interactions of that night, from those around her , that she knew very well, having grown up with them, in the village.
Like when Callum asked Katie if she'd like to 'Go Maying with him'. Katie's face went flush in a deep red as she lowered her head and looked up at him with her bright blue eyes through the wisps of her ginger hair, then slightly shook her head with a quiet "no, but thank-you". She was slightly embarrassed by this public display of affection from Callum.
Funny thing is...(Lindella laughed to herself) they both disappeared over the hill about 30 minutes later, not to be seen for quite some time after. When they had returned; they were looking a bit wrinkley and rosey cheeked. Everyone knew what they'd been up to, even though the couple thought they were being stealthy. But the locals took comfort in knowing they would marry sooner or later so ... all of those gathered there, just turned a blind-eye to the evenings interactions between most of the young adults present there.

Now, as the sound of the music and laughter was fading away fast, she again felt that maybe she had stayed at the gathering for too long. But it was so easy to do, most everyone from the surrounding villages were there, and there they would stay until tomorrow's sunrise. It already could be later into dusk than she knew, the fire was so bright at the gathering that she never even noticed, actually she'd not given it a thought at all.

As she emerged from the woods, ...
she stopped temporarily there, where the moor spread out in front of her, surveying the land and her route home.
Then, ... stepped from the woodland path onto the open moors and suddenly realized how late it was. Well into dusk, and the sun would set before she got home if she didn't hurry.
She knew this land like her own face, but given the night coming on so fast, it was a fact, that was hard to keep in mind. Their croft was just beyond the second knoll and within 2 miles, but from where she walked now it seemed more like embarking on an long ocean voyage.
This was after all ..... Beltane, ... she quickened her step, and started a rhythmic stride.
The sun was low on the horizon, and casting a strange red colour everywhere. The ground under foot was still a bit soggy from the heavy rains three days ago, combined with the dew falling now. A strange mists was rising up from the lowest lying ground of golden shade, (no doubt a optical trick from the setting sun) she thought to herself.

As she walked on, with long stride and fast pace, Lindella's eyes started to play tricks on her. She thought she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. She whipped her head toward the movement but there was nothing there. Again the movement, ....but still she saw no reason for it. She soon grew tired of the strain on her neck from turning back and forth trying to catch whatever it was that she thought she saw. So she just quickened her step and kept her eyes on the path toward home.
After what seemed to be a lifetime she finally was close to the bottom of the first knoll. Suddenly she heard a horse whinning off in the distance, which stopped her trek, and she stood there straining to hear it again and get a fix on where the sound actually had come from. She didn't know anyone that had horses here in this area. Then shrugged it off to be a horse that had got loose from the celebration to make it's way back home. Lindella made her way up the first knoll, with what seemed to be some difficulty. She had walked this path many times in the past but, ...her legs felt so heavy tonight. Again she shrugged this off, attributing it to the whiskey still pulsating through her veins, and pushed on.

As she crested the top of the first knoll, her grandmother's face popped into her head. Nan was smiling, the way Lindella always remembered her, bright eyes twinkling and a deep and ancient wisdom flowing through them.
Lindella started her descent down the other side of the knoll, now eager to reach her home.
She could no longer hear the sounds of the Beltane celebration and a feeling of being totally alone, shot up her spine. She turned and could barely see the bonfire light through the tops of the trees.
' ...at least Nan's here with me', she giggled to herself, .... then there was a sudden flow of fear and a flood of warming in her chest,...'well then, ....I'll just have to hurry along', and she walked a bit faster. Or was it a swift falling forward, .... now with it being downhill, and feeling the alcohol a bit more, from fast clip to the knoll and the hard uphill climb so far.
Trying to distract herself from this feeling of impending doom, she forced her thoughts back to what had taken place earlier. Soon the first knoll and half her journey were behind her. But now the sun was sinking low, and her shadow was long and quickly fading into the darkness of the heather clad path. Then she thought she heard a horse whining in the far distance, again and strained to hear more....
"..it couldna be" she thought and picked her speed up even faster. The break in her cavalier attitude was just enough to make her shudder ever so slightly. All of a sudden she saw her Nan in her head again, from when she was young.

Soon her grandmother voice started to match the beat of her walk, in the words that she didn't need to think of right now. But nevertheless, they sounded off loud and clear. Spinning inside this head of hers, that was already a bit tipsy.
It was like her Granny had decided to hitch a ride under her cranium, and a lesson would come of it, for her, ... like it always had.

'Why now?'...she thought, ...'not here,.... not now!'
But it came on anyway...

" Never go out on Beltane Night to cross the moors alone..."

Nan said this with a very serious tone and now no smile was on her face. Lindella's heart skipped a beat and started to pound hard.

"...the Faeryfolk come out at dark, to dance around the Rowan."

Now her mind was surely playing tricks on her, ...or was it the alcohol ? 'I haven't thought of this old nursery rhyme in years..of course I've never been out on the moors after dark on Beltane either, ...and I am all alone.'
Lindella quickened her step, ... 'or,....am I ? '

"Stay inside, lock the doors and sit down by the fire,
leave the Wee Folk to their ways... and their own desire"

Nan eyes always grew darker and darker as she spoke the next few lines, and this time was no different.

"When seasons change and Beltane comes, ....then moves the Faery Host,
from Winter's Quarters cross the moors, to their fresh Springtime Post."

She moved faster and faster, now at the base of the second knoll, 'when I crest this hill I'll see my house' she tried to think of anything else,
but her Nan's voice kept pushing through and the rhyme continued...

"If ever a woman, man or child, should dare to catch a glimpse, ...
a curse will fall upon their heads, ...from these mischievous imps."

She tried to swallow hard so her heart would go back and pound away, in her chest, instead of her throat.
This once harmless verse of her Nan's, ... had suddenly become much more sinister than she had ever recalled from her childhood, but still her Nan's voice raged on...

" Some lose their sight, some lose their hair, a strong man lost his mind,
a woman once went barren... and, .............that lad; we never did find."

Finally, ...the base of the knoll....
On she moved as fast as she could, trying not to think of anything ....accept her goal. Just to get home, ...where ... she was beginning to now believe she should have stayed.

The 2nd knoll was steeper and harder to climb then she'd ever experienced, and her breathe was well laboured by the time she reached the top.

"What the" ...her vision was blurred a bit but she could swear she'd seen a flicker of lights in the heath below, about halfway between the back of her house and the 3rd knoll beyond.

She rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and brush her hair back, squinting to look again.
But ...couldn't find a thing there, ....'I must be losing my mind.....it's got to be fear-induced...all this'.
The more she remembered the more frightened she became, coupled with the fact that she'd had herself a fair share of whisky, ....didn't help much. She stumbled a bit, but never lost speed.

'What was I thinking staying out so late...' Again she thought she saw those lights but this time made a conscience decision to ignore it.
'Oh, ... what was I thinking....I been told these tales my whole life, ....so now .....am I destined to be one of those tales myself ... told to those, .. that come after?'

She thought she heard a very strange music in the distance, not like that of the ceilidh but different.
Not losing any of her furious pace, she strained to hear better, and moved, to distance herself from it at the same time, but it just seemed to get louder.....'Otherworldly...that's the difference, ...faery music....oh no!...it can't be! ...
Then thinking she might find some relief somewhere she thought, 'Now....what was, ... the rest of the rhyme?...'
The result was, "you canna throw your granny off a bus"....she shook her head and got a flood of frustration, resulting in a flash of warmth and no doubt red, ....in her face.
This was only met with her Nan's face coming back, as clear as if, she were right there, ... in front of her. A stern look on her face, and looking deep into Lindella's eyes, ...
followed by her voice:

" So never go out on Beltane Night to cross the moors alone,
You may just see a faery, ....and be...the last you've ever done."

So listen to your Nan, ....granddaughter and grandson,
And never go out ... on Beltane Night ...to cross the moors ... alone."

The darkness was much thicker now, ..'it can't be much farther', as she crested, and started the downhill side of the second of the knolls. Now she could see the lights, in window of the croft, where the parents and safe comfort awaited her, soft plumes of peat-smoke wafted up from the chimney. But the air felt dead and heavy, like before a huge gale would blow.
Then she thought she saw movement in the heather just up ahead, she was afraid to move,...and afraid to stop, so she walked on slower and more cautiously. 'It must have been a sheep', she comforted herself, and picked up her speed, a little again.

Suddenly the wind came up...blowing warm from one direction and cold from the other, growing stronger and stronger. She tried to brush the hair from eyes time and time again ,but it didn't help much.
Then....she thought a bug had flown close to her ear with and whirling sound and just as swiftly realized that was no bug. 'But what? ...bagpipes?....No...this can't be'...but this time there was no denying it...it was there in the distance, ... with the tick-tick-tick and clicketty-clack of the ancient bones being played along with them. Unconsciously, she slowed her pace, ...enchanted by the music itself, ... she strained to hear it, in it's full beauty, ... above the overpowering sounds of the wind still whipping from one way then the other. How much time had passed?...Like coming out of a fog, ... she realized she'd slowed her pace, ... she almost bolted forward, ... back into a faster clip..

'Come on girl...you can see your goal...just get to it..' she almost running now, but at the same time too afraid to reach a full speed.

Nan had always said, "If you don't want to be chased....try, ... to never run, ... no matter how frightened you are!"

These words swirled through her head as she focused;... fighting the urge, to speed up more, slowing her pace so she would never quite reach the stage of galloping, the only thing she really wanted to do just now. Sweat now slowly making it's way over her brow toward her eyes. She could feel the salt of them, ...Or ... were those tears, ... induced by the wind maybe, ....or by fear?
As her foot finally hit the flat ground, her perspective changed and she thought there was movement there again, but this time directly in her path (which, of course was the shortest distance between her and home.)
Between the tall thistles and the darkness and the blurred tearful vision, ....her ability to really focus on anything now, ... was almost impossible.
It wasn't bad enough the pounding of her heart beat so fast it was more like a hum, but what she saw next almost stopped it. Passed her home... in front of the 3rd knoll, ...there .... was the distinct string of twinkling faerylights, moving forward toward her home.

She gasped then whispered between her breathes, ..."the Faery Host Procession", ....she stood there dumbfounded ...
Somewhere in her brain, she tried to measure the distance between where the lights were, ... where she was, ... and how she could beat them, to the front door of her sanctuary, ....she mindlessly looked down at her feet. 'They're not moving....' then it hits her....' I'm not moving!'

She bolted forward, then once again remembered and scolded herself ...'DO ... NOT.... RUN!!!!!'
A second later....'To hell with that....I'M RUNNING!!'
Lindella ran ...she ran...like her life depended on it....which it did!
Nan's face appeared in front of her, shaking her head with her eyes turned down. Lindella literally ran right through this spectral vision, like splitting through a mist.
The sound of horses, whistles, bones, pipes, fiddles, and .....(is that ...the rumblings of voices raised in celebration ? )...all filled her head.

'Just a few yards now...' she thought, 'I'm going to have a heart attack..... Where is mum surely she's heard my running...felt the screaming out ...my panic, ...'

Then, ... finally, ...she was there at the door...she frantically reached for the door handle, ... struggling to open it ...
then just as she rushed through it ...she saw a torchlight and the small hand holding it....she darted inside, and slammed the door behind her.
Leaning against it and trying to catch her breath,....huffing deep and hard...heart pounding away, like mad and pulsing through the whole of her body, ...now that she'd stopped her furious run.
She felt such relief when she saw her mum standing facing the fire, without turning toward her she said, "Lindella....You're late!"
Her father sitting in his chair looked up from his book, with a calm, but concerned look. When her mum turned around, Lindella was almost struck with fear again, because she looked so much like her Nan, at that very moment.

"I know!", Lindella almost yelled out while still gasping for air, "and you don't know how very ... sorry I am about it!"

Then her Mum softened her voice and said calmly,
"So ....you saw them ... then?", and she came forward to comfort her only daughter., she wrapped her arm around Lindella's shoulder, and said, " Lock the door... come inside, " she gestured toward the chair,
" ...and sit down by the fire."
Her words hung in the air like a dead weight, ...all three of them just looked at each other, in shock, ...each of them knowing it was a line from the old Beltane Night rhyme.

Her mum shook it off and said, "Och weel, ...here, ... drink this..." She reached for her glass of wine on the table and handed it to the younger,
" and calm yourself."
Lindella was trembling so, she sloshed some wine onto the floor when first grasping it.
Lindella took a long gulp draining the glass of wine into her shaking body. Took a deep breath, and looked at her mum's face.
At that moment, she also saw a bright movement pass the window just over her mum's shoulder, ... it drew her attention.

She made her way passed her mum to the window, ...and there she saw it...
the whole parade of faeries moving, dancing and prancing, in a winding stream, some holding torch lights. Pipers, drummers, fiddlers, playing, dancing and singing, and not a single foot actually seemed to be touching the ground, but floating slightly above it. The wind whipping not around them but some how with them, faeries of every size and shape and age; were there passing right before her.
All being led by a beautiful almost glowing man and woman each on their Faery steeds, each decked out in the finest costumes Lindella had ever seen ...both faery and horse glittering in the torch lights.
She whispered under her breath, ...."The Queen and King of the Feary Host..." and as they passed by the window of the croft, the Faery Queen turned and looked right into Lindella's eyes, and smiled sweetly and winked, then bowed her head graciously to her.
Lindella was dumbstruck at this.
She turned to her mum, ... eyes wide in her amazement and she almost whispered, "Mummie ...are you seeing this ?"

"Seeing what, ..dear ?" her mum responded in a dreamy unconnected way.
" I always wondered ..." still in this far-away tone, " but I never had the nerve to take the chance...and see it all for myself."
And she looked up toward the ceiling, like in a dream state, and said ...
"Your Nan was a remarkable woman, ..ya know...", then she turned and looked deep into Lindella's eyes, ..." you'll always see "them" now.... "
Then she turned away, again as if looking into nowhere and added, in a low mystical voice like Nan's itself, ...
"Even when they're not there, ....you'll be looking, ...always looking..... And ...always surprised ...when you do see them, ... for the rest of your life."

"How do you know this mummie ?" Lindella had never heard her mum speak this way before, it was like she'd slipped into another realm, right before her eyes.

"It was the same for your Nan, ...ya know." as she moved to her daughter with an "all-knowing" look in her eyes, ... "That's why she made up that rhyme for us long ago, ...so we'd be spared from being the next."

"The 'next'..?" Lindella, couldn't comprehend how this night could get ant stranger...but had a feeling in the pit of her gut, ...that it was about to.

Then her mum stepped back to, in front of the fireplace, and stared into the flames, "Come here dear and sit down next to me." She motioned to the chair, Lindella came over and took her place there.
"It's time that I tell you, ...." as she said this she seemed to have tears in her eyes. Then she turned and looked so lovingly at her daughter's upturned face.
"To tell you, ...just, ... who your Nan really was, ....who I am, ...and my dear, ....who you are."

Lindella looked from her mum to her father, "What ?"

Her father smiled sheepishly and raised his eyebrows, ... then raised his book back up slightly covering his face, to formally back out of this particular situation and to let his wife handle it on her own. In a ...'her family-history-not-mine ' attitude.
Lindella turned back to her mum at the fire and said, "What do you mean, ... mummy ? "

Her mother took a deep breath and look at Lindella like she was a little child once again, ... to start her story.

From this night forward, ...Lindella's life would never be the same.
The events that had unfolded on that Beltane Night, changed her view of life forever.

It, of course, changed her future, but amazingly ....
it also changed her past.

The End...

or was it?

KAST AM RADIO-Michael Desmond Show

2009-09-15T18:04:00.000-07:00

The KAST staff have now listed the recent DEZMO ZONE (on which I appeared) in their on-demand web pages. If you care to take a listen.

Click this link to listen, you will have to register on their site

I was recovering from a severe ear infection and some of my words fade at the beginning or end.
This is the second time I've been on this show and this time Sept. 8th was just after my return from Scotland. Hope you enjoy it.

Linda

New Links on the Sidebar of Site

2009-09-12T07:27:00.000-07:00

I'm in the process of updating and expanding this site for the convenience of the readers.
Over the next few month you will see many changes, hopefully you will explore and enjoy.

We have added links to some of the sites that may have interest for those that wish to learn more about travel to Scotland, sites mentioned in my book, or items carried in my shop.
Eventually we ( my son and I) will be working on providing a on-line shop, for those that would like to purchase items they've seen in the shop or heard about from friends...this is something that has been asked about for years. This should be a great addition for those of you that live outside of the Northwest and can not easily return to shop for items for themselves or gifts for others. Please be patient these things take some time.
We are also looking at the possibility of separating the section of the blog site into categories for better ease in searching out stories, news, history etc.

But for the now ...please check out the new links to sites ...like Visit Scotland, Historic Scotland, Gilmerton Cove etc...

I'm still keen on gathering Printed Materials and Information from the Clan Assoc. and Scot and Irish Assoc. from around the nation and the world for the Information Center in the shop location in Seaside. If you know anyone who would like to send things to me please make them aware of it and connect them to me. materials are starting to come in and will continue throughout the Fall and Winter months as we work on having all of this put together for the first of the year.

I hope you are all well!!
Linda

The Warriors and Wordsmiths of Freedom: the Birth and Growth of Democracy

2009-09-11T07:56:00.000-07:00

In July (the month the book was released) the website called:

Booksfromscotland featured my book as The Book of the Month.

More recently the "Introduction' to the book has been put up in full at this location.
If any of you, (that haven't bought the book) want to take a look, to get an idea
of what the book is all about, just drop into the website and take a look.

My son did such a great job whilst I was away the stock was really at a low state
when I returned. That has been remedied. Not only have I brought in the "old standbys" like Claddaugh rings, earrings and such, but have stone plaques, and ceramics.
And I have added a new line of mini-replicas of Pictish Standing Stones and Celtic Crosses by an artist in Scotland and they are remarkably detailed like I've never seen before. A new line of pewter pendants of Pictish/Celtic designs too.
Decals and stickers are on the way, ...including the ever-popular Pogue Mo Thon !!!

The Shop Hours for the Autumn Season are now:

Thurs., Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm.

Classic Car Show this weekend...the sun is beaming down and it's supposed to be Hot (above 75 ) here.

Now that I've recovered a bit from the wild and wacky Summer Season, ...I hope to start posting here more often. And will get back to that story about Lindella and Beltane Night in the months to come.

Hope to see you soon!

All the best!

Linda

Scotland and Ireland Information Center to Open

2009-08-30T07:31:00.000-07:00

I will be opening an Information Center in the back portion of my shop.
It will include information about Scotland, Ireland, USA Clan Assoc., and the like.
I will be working at this through the Autumn and Winter months.

Any and all Clan organizations, St. Andrews Societies etc ....that have printed materials that will help the public become more familiar with what they have to offer to the public are urged to ship materials to:

Celtic Story
PO Box 1011
Seaside, Oregon 97138 USA

or stop by the shop and bring them in.

Materials are starting to accumulate now and I'm very excited to finally be able to offer this service to the public. So send in your brochures, fliers, applications etc. and let the public known where and how they can contact you.

Cheers,
Linda

Visit Scotland-at Celtic Story in Seaside

2009-08-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

Whilst on my sojourn in Scotland, ... Visit Scotland contacted my publishing house (Luath Press Ltd) and asked me to act as an Ambassador for distribution of information about Scotland. Since I spend my days doing this already, it will be an easy transition to adding the Visit Scotland items to the mix.

My son and I are in the process of opening up the back portion of the shop as an information center. Visit Scotland has sent 3 boxes of info and bags, that are in the shop.
I carried some of it with me to the Highland Games in Winston to pass around there. (NOTE* I came back with none of these items...the public demand and response was grand.) Within this info is (what they used to call "the Vacation Planner") ...now called 'Homecoming' in honour of this year being The Homecoming in Scotland.
Within this booklet there is information about the rail system, ferry system, and a map of Scotland. It also covers each area in Scotland and what unique things they have to offer the traveller. There is also in a separate booklet, .. an Events Calendar of all the Homecoming events taking place in Scotland this year. (Homecoming.. continues through November 30th which is St.Andrews Day.)

I am honoured, to be able, to better connect the people here in America and Western Canada to Scotland's shores. So next time you stop by ask about the Visit Scotland information, you won't be disappointed!

Back in the shop...much do to...to put it to rights after being gone so long. My son did a great job in my absence and I hope that you enjoyed his company. I have heard nothing but good reports from those that took the time to come in and meet him.

I'm glad to be back "at it". And look forward to seeing you all in the days to come...lots to tell about my trip.

Until then, ... I am,
Yours Aye,
Linda

Douglas County Scot Society Highland Games

2009-08-13T05:53:00.001-07:00

I will be at the following games performing this weekend:

DCSS Highland Gathering and Games
Aug.14th-16th at River Bend Park in Winston, Oregon.

There is a free concert on Friday night.
And I will be performing on Sat. and Sun. on the Main Stage throughout the day.

These are great game to go to if you have a chance.
My son will be in the shop in my stead so drop by to see him and look around if you're in Seaside. I'm still a bit jet-lagged from my recent return from Scotland but should be up and in full swing by next week and back in the shop. Many tales to tell about my sojourn to Scotland and what happened there ...the Global gathering in Edinburgh, ...my book launch events, ...and the filming of an upcoming movie called "Wicker Man" based on a book produced by my publishing house in Edinburgh.

Hope to see you soon!

PS my son and I are kicking around the idea of starting up an on-line shop for some of the goods from my shop. I'll keep you posted.

Cheers,
Linda

Hello from Edinburgh

2009-08-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

I finally figured out how to reach my blog dashboard to post a blog for all of you.
I sit here now in my guest house on Mayfield Gardens, about one mile (though most say it's farther) from the Royal Mile.

The Gathering was last weekend and it was both brilliant and at times a bit frustrating.
130 Clan Assoc. had their tents set-up on the field at Holyrood Park. Surprisingly I never saw the Clan Wallace and ran into many from America, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand of that ilk that were in pursuit of the Clan Wallace tent, feeling very frustrated that they could not locate them. When I came across those souls I recited my Eulogy For William Wallace to lighten their attitude, in doing so ... I now have a stack of business cards with a note on the back to send a copy of the poem to them.

My book launch in Stirling at the Smith Art Gallery and Museum was a grand success. I was able to meet up with some old friends like David R. Ross, (author, performer and the historian of the Society of William Wallace), and Lin Anderson (also an author).
Dr.Elspeth King (curator of the Smith) had arranged for a local Piper R. MacDonald to pipe everyone in and he joined in the Lecture Hall with the rest of the ranks. Bruce Crawford MSP along with Mr O'Brien (former Provost for Stirling) were there to introduce me and the book.
Tea and biscuits were served before the event and lunch followed where I was able to have a long chat with friends and associates.

My brother Jeff and his daughter Tara had (after some difficulty) come into Edinburgh on the 24th 5 hours late because of a problem in Philly with US AIR. (frankly everyone that I know who has ever flown with this airline has had one problem or another). Luckily KLM came to their rescue and gave them a free ticket to reach their required flight to Amsterdam in order to reach their destination of Scotland... better late than never ... and their bags were with them as well.

I was able to meet-up with and enjoy some time with those that had come in from the Northwest to attend the Gathering and most now are in the Highlands with their prospective Clans having their tours.

I also have met up with my good friend and Piper of high acclaim, ....Jimi (the Piper) McRae. On the Monday following the Gathering Jimi came by the Guest house and gathered me up (along with his son Brodie ... who is growing like a weed and nearly as tall as Jimi now). Off we went to Arthur's Seat to trek up the hillside in the Commemoration to the Mutiny of the MacRaes in the 1700's. After we piled back into the car and headed north to the Battlefield of Sheriffmuir.
What a day it was!!!!! Blessed with sunny weather as well...which I could use a little of just now as the rain is teeming down as I type this.

I have 2 more days here at this guest house before going to stay with a friend in the Pentland Hills (just below Edinburgh).
So friends off I go and I will give you another report and story of my adventures on my return to America.

I trust everyone is enjoying their Summer.

All the Best,
Linda

Update for the Summer in the shop

2009-07-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hello to all and I hope you are having a great summer.

This will be the last post for awhile.

Starting next week 7/12/09 the shop will be open the following days and hours:

Sun. and Mon. 10am-5pm

Tues.and Weds. CLOSED

Thurs. 10am - 5pm

Fri. and Sat. 10am - 7pm closing sometime between 5pm and 7pm depending on how busy it is later in the day.

My son will be running the shop in my stead for the time whilst I am out of country.
Please stop by and help him know he's doing a great job. He's been helping me out for a few weeks now...and I'm proud and amazed at what a quick study he is, when it's come to learning the shop merchandise, prices, and how to help those who ask...how to trace their names to a Scot or Irish root.
One more great example of the fruit not falling far from the tree ...eh?

I'm leaving for Scotland on the 19th July, to do Book Launch Events and attend the World-wide All Clan Gathering in Edinburgh on the 25th & 26th July at Holyrood Park.

On the 27th July I will meet up with the Clan MacRae and head up Arthur's Seat to commemorate a MacRae Mutiny led by none other than my good friend Jimi McRae (aka Jimi the Piper). Then off to Sheriffmuir where a Jacobite Battle in Nov., 1715 took place.
I wrote briefly in the recently released book about this battle and it will be my first time to visit this battle site. What better way to experience this ...than to be among those descendants, from the Scottish warriors that took the field all those years ago....in an effort, to return their own chosen King back to the throne.

I will return to home on the 10th August....and barring any complications...
I plan to be at the Douglas County Scot Society Highland Games in Winston, Oregon
on 14th-16th. (Though depending on the severity of my jet-lag I may not arrive until the 15th.)

I will.... as many have asked me to ..."to kiss the very ground of Scotland" for you!

I will be in the shop for partial days until Sun. this week, ... then will take time to prepare for the trip.

All the Best to You and Those that care for You!
Linda