Scotland and Ireland Information Center to Open

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

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

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

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