Museums
Dutch National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam
“Water Connects Worlds” – A great motto for a maritime museum. And, if you think about it, it is very true. The Dutch have been pioneers in international trade and seafaring throughout the Middle Ages. And Amsterdam was often right in the middle of it all. So, I thought I had better learn more…
Read MoreOld Gala House, Galashiels
“Sour Plums” is a very strange motto for a town, I would have thought 🤔. But this is Galashiels in the Scottish Borders and there is a story behind the strange motto. The story goes that a group of retreating English soldiers, in 1337, paused to gather wild plums growing near the joining…
Read MoreIona Abbey, Scotland
Millions of people have been travelling to Iona Abbey over the past 1400 years. Many would have walked along Sraid Nam Marbh (the Street of the Dead), past the high crosses, to the holy-of-holies, St Columba’s shrine. It is here, to the Benedictine Abbey, that I have come to join the many who…
Read MoreThe Merchant Adventurers’ Hall, York
“Where are you looking to go, Pet?” asked one of the men sitting on a low wall in Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate Street. We clearly looked like lost tourists! We weren’t quite lost – we were just unsure of which direction to go (I am well known for getting turned around even in my home city 🤣). …
Read MoreJedburgh Castle Jail, Scotland
Not far from the magnificent Jedburgh Abbey, a Royal Castle was built in the 12th century. Its location on the hill overlooking the town was perfect. It was a brilliant strategic location with views stretching far down the valley, from where to keep a lookout for attacking armies. Bear in mind that Jedburgh is…
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