Dunoon

On 26 November we headed west to Dunoon to catch up with a couple of Billy's old band mates - Jim McCard (singer) and Brian Sinclair (drummer).  Brian, Jim and Billy recorded a few songs on Saturday night.  One in particular 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' is a favourite with Billy's dad.

Jim McCard

Brian Sinclair

Billy

Brian (second on the left) is the drummer in a band called 'Ten Gallon Bratz'.

We used the car ferry 'The Western Ferry' between Gourock and Hunters Quay, Dunoon.

The Pineapple

On our way home from shopping in Stirling we stopped for a look at the Pineapple.  Located 1 km northwest of Airth, Stirling, the Pineapple is a most unusual edifice, built on his estate by John Murray, the 4th Earl of Dunmore, in 1761. The pineapple, then a rare delicacy, was a symbol of wealth.  It's 75 feet in height and intricately carved from stone.

The Pineapple was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland in 1974 and is now a holiday retreat.
 

Billy outside his favourite shop - a music store - Stirling Arcade.

Christmas tree in Stirling Arcade

Falkirk Town Farmers Market

The Farmers Market is held on the first Friday of each month in Falkirk town.  Here are photos showing stalls in the town square - the time is 3.00pm.  As you can see it's getting darker now and colder....snow is on the way.

Edinburgh Christmas Market

This afternoon, following a job interview in Edinburgh city, I braved the freezing cold elements and ventured to the Princes Street outdoor German Christmas Market.  It looks like a sunny day photo-wise, I kid you not - it was decidedly Baltic!  Smells of Festive Spirit...mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.

     The Snow Queen lit the Norwegian Christmas Tree on the Mound as part of the Light Night celebrations.                             24 November 2011

The Norwegian Christmas Tree on The Mound

The Great Edinburgh Santa Run through Princes Street Gardens

Waggle Yer Wallies

Here's Billy playing his keyboards.

The first tune is 'Dark Island' - the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.

Away to the west's where I'm longing to be,

Where the beauties of heaven unfold by the sea,
Where the sweet purple heather blooms fragrant and free,
On a hilltop high above the Dark Island. 

Chorus

Oh, isle of my childhood, I'm dreaming of thee,
As the steamer leaves Oban and passes Tiree,
Soon I'll capture the magic that lingers for me,
When I'm back once more upon the Dark Island. 

So gentle the sea breeze that ripples the bay,
Where the stream joins the ocean, and young children play;
On the strand of pure silver, I'll welcome each day,
And I'll roam for ever more the Dark Island.

 From Dark Island beach, looking south to hills of South Uist

 

The second tune is a surprise...