Cha Togar M' Fhearg Gun Dìoladh

Cha Togar M' Fhearg Gun Dìoladh (Gaelic)

Nemo me impune lacesset (Latin)

Wha daur meddle wi' me (Scots)

No one attacks me with impunity

This is the motto of the Scottish Order of the Thistle, the Scottish chivalric order.  This particular painting was in Edinburgh Castle, in the private chambers that once belonged to Mary, Queen of Scots, in a time when Gaelic, Scots, and English would have been spoken.  Latin was still considered to be a language of old orders, and of oaths.  French would actually have been spoken in this castle as well.  In any case, I love the unicorns, I love the phrase, I love the painting, and I love Scotland.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Like this?  Take a look at For Scotland!

And it Was all Yellow

These flowers were all over England and Scotland in the spring.  The first place I remember really noticing them was in Edinburgh in April, but then I noticed them popping up in London as May began to bloom.  They grow on bushes that look spiny, but actually don't feel prickly at all.  From far away, clusters of them just look like a wash of yellow.  Yellow has never been one of my favourite colors, but I cannot deny that it exudes a sort of endearing happiness.  

Hampstead, London, England, UK

Does this make you happy?  Take a look at Bouquet.

Wallace

Stained Glass inside of a small chapel in Edinburgh Castle.

All of the windows were small like this with this type of stained glass. I was a bit obsessed.

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

If you liked this, then you will like Medieval.

For Scotland!

Celtic cross monument outside of Edinburgh Castle.

The celtic cross is one of my favourite motifs in the world.  Lovely.

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

If you like all things Scotland, please look at Atop the Crags.

Comedy and Tragedy

You lucky kids.  You got a Two-for-one!

These two mask statues were on either side of a little fountain on The Royal Mile.
They just reminded me that both funny/ happy and tragic/ sad things can be pretty.  Thus concludes the Dark Side of Loveliness series.

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

For more things theatrical, check out The Performance- two children doing a little skit at Chinese New Year in London.

Atop the Crags

A Standard View.

Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Like this?  Try Castle on a Hill.