A Scottish Tale...

I've just had a hectic week, going back to my cookery course...assignment after assignment...Luckily before all this I was able to finish a little Needlecase Kit my Son and Partner brought back with them for me on a recent visit to Scotland. James and Danelle went on a trip with her Grandmother and Uncle to re-trace her family's heritage... 'Ancient Thistle Needlecase'

The thistle has for many centuries been the plant emblem of Scotland. According to one romantic legend, it was chosen as the Scottish emblem because a Viking soldier trod on a thistle and his cries of pain alerted the Scots to the approach of invaders and prevented defeat.

Mary, Queen of Scots, placed the thistle on the Great Seal of Scotland.

During her long years as a prisoner of Elizabeth I, she found comfort in embroidery and many of the pieces of work attributed to her, have thistles worked on them. In the nineteenth century Queen Victoria led a tremendous romantic revival of interest in Scotland and the thistle became firmly linked with all things Scottish, and has remained so to the present day!

I was also doubly lucky...and received this beautiful plush velvet 'Theatre Bag'...I think I might have to look into the history of Theatre Bags!!! I just so love this little Bag!!!


And...this little reproduction Medieval Thimble from Westair Reproductions Ltd...
In the Middle Ages, a metal Thimble was known as a 'thymel'. This reproduction of a ring-type thymel would have been used for sewing coarser materials where the side of the finger was used for pushing the needle through, rather than the finger-tip.
Similar thimbles can be traced back to Roman times and several were discovered in Herculaneum and can be dated at AD 79 when Vesuvius erupted.
After a quick surf around I found this interesting little site...Thimbles ... which discusses advantages of collecting thimbles and things to consider when starting a collection.
Purely visual now...a few beautiful images brought back home with them...various castles and scenes in Scotland. As I find out what they are I will post them up...do enjoy...

Wouldn't I like to be Keeper of the Books here!!!

A wee little cottage...

See the tiny little boat just in from the bottom left hand corner...A stunning image!!!

This one is at Stonehaven...south of Aberdeen on the North Sea...

The rest of the photos are just as grand!!!

And to think we considered them a weed when we had our small acres!!!

Thank You James and Danelle!!!