Vegan Haggis, Neep and Tattie Pie

I made a version of these vegan Haggis, Neep ad Tattie Pies early this year to celebrate Burns Night in Wales,  but unfortunately, I did not get to share a picture of the pies or the recipe, so in anticipation of St Andrews Day, I thought I'd give them a go again, this time they were topped with the saltire. 

Farewell Bonnie Scotland

This is my last blog post for a while, so it has to be a fond farewell to Bonnie Scotland.  My home for the past 15 years or so.  I came up for University and never left it.

Blue and White Jute String

I have met some lovely people along the way, and enjoyed celebrating St Andrews and Burns Night.  I have also been mighty fortunate to see many parts of Scotland, that even Scots who reside here don't get to see.  Click on the highlighted bold green links if you want to see more.

Here are some examples of some of the places we had the pleasure of seeing: Aberdeen, Anstruther

Auchmithie Harbour, David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre,

Culzean Castle and Country Park in Ayr and Cupar

Culloden Battlefield

Dalgarven Mill, Dundee City Centre and the Dundee Flower and Food Festival

Boats, bottles and beer in Dumbarton

Edinburgh - The Festival,

 Edinburgh Botanic Gardens,

Greyfriars Kirk

andLeith,

Eglington Country Park and East Neuk

Falkirk, Faulkand Palace 

and the Pillars of Hercules both in Fife.   One of my favourite places to visit.

Geilston Gardens - Another one of my favourite places for local fruit and veg at fair prices.

Greenbank Gardens (above),

Irn Bru and Scottish Tablet Ice-Cream Cone

Highland Tourist Trail, Argyll Forst Park and Inveraray

Inverness, Isle of Mull

Kilmarnock and the Battlefield of Killiekrankie

Lanarkshire - in every direction, Larbert, Loch Ness, Musselburgh and Prestonpans

Nairn

National Museum of Rural Life, Oban and Paisley Town.

Robert Owens New Lanark, Oban,

Perth

St Andrews

William Wallace Statue

Poem about Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle - Look closely and you will see that the poem about Stirling Castle is splashed with raindrops. 

Clooty Ginger Creams

As well as Robert Burns Birthplace and Charles Rennie MacKintosh Hillouse and many many more places all over Scotland.

But how can I forget Glasgow dubbed as The Friendly City and My Home for all those years  It's a fair claim - Glaswegians are some of the most friendliest people I have ever met in my life. 

Places and events I've explored here are many, but to name a few: the Merchant City Festival, The River Clyde and its attractions, its West End, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Pollok House, The Peoples Palace and Winter Gardens, Glasgow University where both D and myself attended many years ago and where I met my best friend Leah. The Riverside Museum, the Kelvingrove Museum, the famous Barras Market, as well as discovering community initiatives in

Govan, Govanhill and Maryhill.  It's been good exploring and discovering Scotland at my own pace.  My memories of Glasgow are relatively positive and warm, but with beautiful came also the ugly.  First how can I forget the loss of my allotment plot in a deliberate and malicious fire two years ago.

I know its not worse than any other city: every place has its ups and downs, but Glasgow from my own personal experience seems to have more than its fair share.  It's something I noted more after graduating from University and stepping out of the 'comfortable and fashionable bosom of the West end'.  Smashed bottles of Buckfast, territorial gang crime, religious sectarianism described as 'Scotlands Shame' between Catholics and Protestants, in the name of passion for football between Celtic and Rangers fans.  As a Welsh person of South Asian heritage, I was surprised at the level of vocal anti-English sentiments.  This is not unique to Glasgow,  you will hear that 'kind of banter' all over Scotland and it is deemed acceptable. The  racism and racist crimes towards people of colour, asylum seekers and refugees is no different from that in England or Wales, except when it rears is ugly head its really really ugly.  Did you know that Glasgow knife crime and murder rate is double than London's .  Unfortunately, we have encountered knife crime first hand - a real part of Glaswegian city life if you just look at someone the wrong way.  Something you won't see the Scottish Tourist Board advertising.  I think its one of the reasons Glasgow often gets missed off such visit Scotland campaigns in favour of Edinburgh and its famous castle.  Glasgow barely features in the new campaign ad. I think only showing King Tuts  - agreeably one of Glasgow's coolest and hippest music venues.  Some Scottish friends have often joked that a Scottish comedian should do a 'spoof of the campaign' featuring real Scots, not models .  I know some Scottish people will upset with what I am about the share, but if they are honest with themselves then they will understand why I am sharing this link:  'Glesga - State of Mind' (one of many parodies on Alicia Keys 'New York').  For me it highlights the Glasgow I only  know so well, albeit through a little tacky humour.  Afterall, I cannot share the beautiful without sharing the ugly, that would be unfair on my real and honest experiences and memories of Scotland.

In spite of some of these experiences, Glasgow is still a lovely city and one I hope to return to as a visitor oneday.  I would certainly encourage you to do so too.  Well I hope you have enjoyed this blog post for what it was. 

Farewell Bonnie Scotland, I take with me many memories  - both fond ones and not so fond ones - you were my home for a very long time and one I will not forget.

St Mirren and the Streets of Paisley

I think it was in mid October 2011 when we were last in Paisley, Renfewshire and these photographs were taken. 

Fortunately the rain stayed away and we were able to wander around happily.

But before I go on any further, I'd like to share with you my most popular blog post.  You may be surprised to learn that it's not related to food or growing vegetables.  Its one related to the Paisley pattern -  a kidney or teardrop-shape of Persian and Indian origin.  Follow this link. I was gobsmacked, especially as its really a non-blog entry.  I've read since that the shape was originally designed to signify the mango or the mango seed. 

Anyway, we decided to revisit Paisley again.  Paisley was somewhere we had considered purchasing a home, but ended up staying on the outskirts of Glasgow.I used to go there originally for the farmers market, then for thrift shopping as it has many charity shops. 

On this particular weekend, we decided to take a detour from the town centre and the shops. It was a good move.  So many beautiful historical building to see.

Its such as shame to have discovered this part of Paisley now, especially as I am leaving Scotland. Oh well - 'tis life.

Corporation of Paisley Bridge - looks like a fresh lick of paint.

Paisley Heritage Trail.  Forbes Place was the heart of the Parsley Shawl making industry - Click on the image to learn more.

Entrance to Paisley Abbey

You may know nothing about football like me and you may have a husband or partner that loves football (like me), but unless he is Scottish, I bet h doesn't know the answer to this one!
Where are St Mirren from?  Go on, ask him, that one thing about football that you can demonstrate you know more than he or she does.

 St Mirin  is actually the Patron Saint of Paisley. 

 Only the tourists look up - Yes, I guess I am or was  a tourist in Paisley.

The Russell Institute

 This was my favourite cherub looking character holding spectacles.

They are all different.

 Don't believe me....

 See below for comparison.

  Look around and you see small details in places.

  Paisley was granted Fairtrade town status in 2003.

  Walking back towards the High Street

Those of you who are fans of the singer/songwriter Paolo Nutini may be interested to note that the above Castelvecchi Cafe belongs to his parents.  D and me had the hunger pangs and sat indoors for a portion of chips.  The walls are covered with Paola Nutini memorabilia.  I wasn't that keen on Nutini's music when he first hit the music scene, but since some of his music has grown on me.  Dr Who fans may be interested to know that the current Doctor Who David Tennant is also a Paisley Boy.

I've showcased some nicer sides of Paisley, but there is also an ugly side: not just in relation to derelict and decaying buildings, but reputation too.  Over the years Paisley  has acquired a rough reputation as Scotlands most violent town*.  Crimes relating to drugs, gangland shootings, attacks with machetes, stabbings and slashings if you looked at a ned the wrong way.  In Scotland, a Ned is a term applied to louts who hang around street corners, dressed in casual sports wear - usually vibrant colours that make your eyes hurt and drinking Irn Bru.  Fortunately much is being done in Paisley to address this.

*Oh if your wondering whats Scotlands most violent city?  Well its Glasgow.