philadelphia freedom

"Och aye, the thahngs we do for Brrrrrrrraddy."
{Actual quote from a Glaswegian East Ender.}

Yeah, so Brad Pitt was in Glasgow for two weeks.


Filming a zombie war movie, erm film, downtown.


But do you notice something unusual here?


Well, the film takes place in Philadelphia.


So Glasgow became America for a wee while.


Street signs and stars and stripes and everythang.


I live and breathe that Philadelphia freedom.


If you choose to you can live your life alone.


Some people choose the city.


I like living easy.


Without family ties.


'Til the whippoorwill of freedom zapped me.


Right between the eyes.


Shine a light, won't you shine a light.


Philadelphia freedom, I love you, yes I do.


We have lots of stern signs in America.


Proper trucks, none of this lorry business.


Air Conditioning!


Yellow Cabs!


S.W.A.T.!


Dunkin'!


Verizon!


USA Today!


Garden State Plate!


USPS!


All this stuff = disorientation for an American girl in Ggow.


And reminding me that I don't ever want to leave Britain no no no.


America, blurghhhhhhhhhh.


Now unfortch I didn't get to see Brrrrrrrraddy.


But I did get to see Prince William this summer.
And we all know that Prince > Pitt.
xx

mine's not a high horse

One of the iconic sights of Glasgow...

Stands in front of the Gallery of Modern Art.


An equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington,
topped with a traffic cone. So Glasgow.


You can ride high atop your pony.

I know you won't fall.

'Cause the whole thing's phony.
xx

l'esprit d'escalier

Glasgow: A Poor Man's Paris ?

Scoff if you like.


But these stairs right off of Great Western Road,
in the West End, remind me a lot of Montmartre.


To a smaller scale.


And in typical gritty Glasgow fashion.

But the memories they trigger make me smile.
xx

ghost train

A few quick photos from the pretty Edwardian train station at Weymess Bay, where you pick up the ferry to Rothesay. Dating to 1903, it's known as one of Scotland's finest stations.

Meet me down by the railway station, I've been waiting.

She buys a ticket 'cause it's cold where she comes from.


She climbs aboard because she's scared of getting older in the snow.


These train conversations are passing me by.

Train sings the same kind of blues.
xx

the day we went to rothesay, o!

This post is for my Excellent Father.
Excellent Father is Very Proud of our family's partial Scottish origins.

Some research has revealed that our family, the Jamesons,
were part of Clan Stewart (WHY YES THAT IS THE ROYAL CLAN),
and originated on the Isle of Bute.


AKA I am descended from Highlander Islanders.

The principal town on the island, Rothesay, was a popular
holiday destination for Glaswegians during the Victorian era.


It is still reached by ferry, so I decided to take a day trip there.


Inside the ferry from Weymess Bay to Rothesay.


And arriving on Beautiful Bute.


Rothesay Harbour.


Looking over gardens out to the water.


Going into town.


Picture Bute; Bute Angling.


I love how old-fashioned the store fronts are.


Rothesay is a bit run down, a shadow of its Victorian glory.


Case in point.


Sleepy Rothesay.


Stuart Street.


Bute Butcher.


Rothesay Cottage.


39.


Yes, Rothesay is a royal burgh.


So naturally there's a medieval castle smack dab
in the middle of the Victorian town.


And yes, Rothesay Castle has a MOAT !!


How fab.


It's not a super exciting castle.


But it did play a major role in defense against
the Vikings, who fought with the Scots for control of the isles.


Let's enter.


The Great Hall was heavily restored by the Victorians.


The rest of the castle is in ruins.


It was often visited by the Stewart kings during their
cruises around the isles.


And the heir to the kingdom of Scotland
was traditionally known as the Duke of Rothesay.


To this day, Prince Charles is known as the Duke of
Rothesay, not Prince of Wales, when he's in Scotland.


Chapel Royal.


I love exploring ruined castles.


Climb to the top of the Bloody Stair.


From there you get the best views of the town and Highlands.


Et plus.


You also encounter Rothesay's primary residents.


And I went down to the seawall.


And back to the water.


Drove me like a magnet, to the sea, to the sea.


The water off Bute looks pitch black.


I believe in the sand beneath my toes.


The beach gives a feeling, an earthy feeling.


I believe in the faith that grows.


How'd you like to live in one of those houses ?


Closer look.


Sherbet houses & postboxes.


The fabulously 1930s Pavilion.


And blue skies appeared.


Which meant it was time for the world famous Zavaroni's.


And a uniquely Rothesay treat.


I'm beyond broke, so I couldn't afford the fresh fish & chips.


But I had to get this in honour of Mama J.


Wandering down the "boardwalk" with a Top Hat in hand, mmmm.


Boat.


Sunshine lighting up Rothesay.


Can you believe there are palm trees in the Highlands ?


Well, believe it.


Rothesay's Victorian Green.


And its pretty "Discovery Centre."


Not sure what it was originally, but it contained a restaurant.


Blue.


Across the street, the grand Victoria Hotel.


And Victorian Toilets, lolz.


They are still in use!


My ferry.


xx