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Care to get a feel for what life was like in 17th Century Edinburgh? Perhaps even a touch of paranormal contact with a “being” of Olde Edinburgh? Well then, Mary King’s Close is the place to be!
Mary King’s Close is a very real address on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. But, it’s one of those that time forgot. Until recently that is. For those of you who hadn’t known, a “close” is the original term for the narrow streets with houses on either side, some of which stretched up 7 stories during their time. In the 1600s, Mary Kings Close was one of many such bustling narrow streets so typical of Edinburgh in that era.
What’s most interesting about this place is that it’s entirely underground, having been trapped
by a 1750s-vintage urban renewal program. At that time, a new Royal Exchange (now City Chambers) building complex went up, wherein the tops of the old buildings were sheared off leaving the bottoms to serve as foundations. These old buildings were “rediscovered” and reopened in 2003 with all their centuries of dankness and mystery revealed. That’s the Mary King’s Close Experience.
A visit to Mary Kings’ is both an eerie and moving experience. One can see and feel how folks lived back in the 16th and 17th century. Why, you might even meet a folk or two. Visitors can also learn about the affects of The Black Plague in Edinburgh. Perhaps even more than they’d ever want to know!
For those participating in the Albannach/Ross Homecoming Tour in March 2010, we’ll be offering the Experience opportunity. Presently, this is planned as an “optional” event on the itinerary and we’d appreciate hearing from you with your interest. And, for anyone interested, in any way in Mary King’s Close, here are a few links:
http://www.realmarykingsclose.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_King%27s_Close
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6s6-N2a5eU (copywrite Antix Productions)
The Real Mary King’s Close is funded by the City of Edinburgh Council and operated by Heritage, part of Continuum.
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Posted in The Celtic Force, Trips | Celtic Music, ghost hunting, mary king's close, paranormal, Scotland, Tours | Leave a commentNew 3-part series from Scotland TV a feast for the senses!
A “must see” for those visiting Scotland (or wanting a reminder!).
To coincide with countrywide efforts and events for Homecoming 2009, STV produced a glorious travelogue series aired in September 2009. The subject? A celebration of Scotland. Now, both organizations have made available substantially all of the series to viewers online. And in rich, high-definition.
With our own Scotland Tour planned for March 2010, we thought we’d share these links with you. As did we, I’m sure you’ll find the imagery stunning, the aerial fly-over views to be spectacular, and the whole presentation to be crafted with joyous love for people and place. Episode #1 starts with Scotland’s main cities: Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Stirling. In this episode as well as those following, you’ll have an exquisitely teasing opportunity to preview some of the very places on the itinerary for the March 2010 Tour with Albannach and David R. Ross.
And, if you haven’t already fallen in love with all that is Scotland, it will be hard to resist after “Scotland Revealed.”
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Posted in Celtic Music, Scotland, Tours, Trips | celtic events, Celtic Music, Scotland, The Celtic Force, trips to europe | Leave a commentSource: ifest.org
Originally formed in 1996, The Killdares have come to be known as one of the hottest, cutting edge bands in music today – Celtic or otherwise. World-class musicians from all over the U.S., they have come together in Texas to create and perform a brand new version of hard-driving, alternative Celtic rock music.
Blending traditional Celtic playing skills, power-pop accessibility, and straight up rock n’ roll hooks, The Killdares have created a fresh new sound that’s blended with enough commercial edge to be instantly recognizable, always engaging, and appealing to fans of all ages. Their live shows are filled with an infectious energy so powerful that it has been known to move people to tears. Even die-hard fans of purely traditional Celtic music have embraced the band’s powerful genre-bending sound.
Expanding the definition of “Celtic”, the band uses the unconventional pairing of screaming, fire-driven fiddle and bagpipes with the wail of electric guitar, bass and drums to create brilliant arrangements of traditional tunes and original compositions. This distinctive sound combined with the band’s incredible stage presence is nothing short of awesome.
”I love the idea of combining something as beautiful and melodic as a traditional fiddle or bagpipe with crunchy American rock n’ roll guitar, and having it work,” says founding member Tim Smith.
Joining the likes of Don Henley (The Eagles), Phil Collins (Genesis) and Fred LeBlanc (Cowboy Mouth), Dallas native Tim Smith handles lead vocals and drums with amazing nonchalance, locking in with Jim Dawson’s energetic and “in-the-groove” bass playing and the beautifully expressive electric and acoustic guitar stylings of Brek Lancaster.
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By: Donovan Murray
Last March Eric & I had the privilege of visiting Chris (Christine Macleod) at the Weavers Cottage in Scotland. We hope to have this as a stop on the upcoming tour in March. Chris is the person that made the Wallace tartan that is worn by David R Ross. She picked the plants and made the dyes from places associated with William Wallace and used to weave this one of a kind garment on the loom featured in the piece. Cool, hey?
CLICK HERE to learn more and to watch a video about the cottage.
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Posted in Celtic Traditions, Scotland, The Celtic Force | celtic force, Scotland, scotland tours, tartans, weavers cottage | Leave a commentFollow Us
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