Celtic Connection

01/03/2024

It’s finally time, we open back up tomorrow! Who will be coming to visit us soon?

22/03/2023

05/01/2022

I'm not lost...

21/11/2021

DUNKELD CATHEDRAL is a Church of Scotland place of worship on the north bank of the River Tay in Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. Built in square-stone style of grey sandstone, the cathedral was begun in 1260 and completed in 1501. It stands on the site of the former Culdee Monastery of Dunkeld, stones from which can be seen as a reddish streak in the eastern gable.

It is not formally a cathedral, as the Church of Scotland nowadays has neither cathedrals nor bishops, but it is one of a number of similar former cathedrals which has continued to carry the name.

Gothic and Norman elements are intermingled throughout the structure. Although partly in ruins, the cathedral is in regular use today and is open to the public.

Relics of Saint Columba, including his bones, were said to have been kept at Dunkeld until the Reformation, at which time they were removed to Ireland. Some believe there are still undiscovered Columban relics buried within the cathedral grounds.

The original monastery at Dunkeld dated from the 6th or early 7th century, founded after an expedition of Saint Columba to the Land of Alba. It was at first a simple collection of wattle huts. During the 9th century Causantín mac Fergusa constructed a more substantial cathedral of reddish sandstone and declared Dunkeld to hold the Primacy (centre) of the faith in Alba.

The Celtic bell believed to have been used at the monastery is not preserved in the cathedral. It was used in the Little Dunkeld Church, the parish church of the district of Minor or Lesser Dunkeld, possibly as the later canons regarded Culdeeism as heresy and refused relics or saints of that discipline.

In 1689 the Battle of Dunkeld was fought around the cathedral between the Jacobite Highland clans loyal to James II and VII and a government force supporting William III and II, with the latter winning the day.

Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan, known as "the Wolf of Badenoch", was buried in the cathedral following his death in 1405, where his tomb, surmounted by his armoured effigy, can still be seen.
(Wikipedia)

14/11/2021

KENMORE is a small village in Perthshire, in the Highlands of Scotland, located where Loch Tay drains into the River Tay. The village dates from the 16th century. It and the neighbouring Castle were originally known as Balloch (from Gaelic bealach, 'pass'). The original village was sited on the north side of river approximately two miles (three kilometres) from its present site and was known as Inchadney. In 1540 Sir Colin Campbell of Glenorchy started the construction of Balloch castle on the opposite bank of the river and the entire village was moved to a prominent headland by the shores of Loch Tay, hence the name Kenmore, which translates from Scots Gaelic to "big (or large) head". The village as it is seen today is a model village laid out by 3rd Earl of Breadalbane in 1760.

The biggest island in the loch, known as the Isle of Loch Tay, or in Gaelic Eilean nam Ban-naomh, 'Isle of Holy Women', is just north of Kenmore. It was the site of a nunnery in the 12th century and was the burial place of Queen Sibylla (d. 1122), wife of Alexander I of Scotland (1107–24). A castle was built on the island in the later Middle Ages. Signs of crannogs, "circular houses on stilts", have been found in Loch Tay. Only one was rebuilt and became the museum known as the Scottish Crannog Centre.

The Scottish Crannog Centre is an open-air museum on the south of Loch Tay Road. It features an accurate full-size reconstruction of a crannog, an Iron Age artificial island, of which more than 20 (most now submerged) have been found in Loch Tay. The crannog mockup is based on the real Oakbank Crannog archaeological site off the north shore of the loch. The Crannog mock-up was destroyed by fire on the evening of 11 June 2021. The visitor centre also displays artefacts from nearby excavations, which are funded in part by the proceeds from this attraction.
(Wikipedia)

13/11/2021

Celtic Hounds Mug with Black Inside. Add a splash of color to your morning coffee or tea ritual! This Celtic Hounds Mug with Black Inside has a beautiful design on it and is bound to spice up your mug rack.

• Ceramic
• Height: 3.85" (9.8 cm)
• Diameter: 3.35" (8.5 cm)
• White print area
• Colour rim, inside, and handle
• Dishwasher and microwave safe

Find this and more on www.CelticConnectionShop.etsy.com

11/11/2021

It was November...

09/11/2021

BURGHEAD or The Broch is a small town in Moray, Scotland, about 8 miles north-west of Elgin. The town is mainly built on a peninsula that projects north-westward into the Moray Firth, surrounding it by water on three sides. People from Burghead are called Brochers.

The present town was built between 1805 and 1809, destroying in the process more than half of the site of an important Pictish hill fort. General Roy’s map shows the defences as they existed in the 18th century although he wrongly attributed them to the Romans. The fort was probably a major Pictish centre and was where carved slabs depicting bulls, known as the Burghead Bulls, were found. A chambered well of some considerable antiquity was discovered in 1809 and walls and a roof were later added to help preserve it. Each year on 11 January a fire festival known as the Burning of the Clavie takes place; it is thought that the festival dates back to the 17th century, although it could easily predate this by several centuries. Burghead is often known by locals as The Broch, a nickname also applied to Fraserburgh in nearby Aberdeenshire.

A recent dig just beyond the boundary of Burghead at Clarkly Hill has uncovered Iron Age circular stone houses and Pictish building foundations, as well as silver and bronze Roman coins and a gold finger ring possibly from the Baltic region. Significant evidence of large scale Iron smelting has also been found, providing evidence that iron was probably being traded from this site. The National Museum of Scotland has carried out significant exploration which leads it to believe this is a significant site of interest.
(Wikipedia)
(Photos from 2003)

06/11/2021

🎁 Christmas 2021 Order Deadlines 🎄 for our Etsy Shop on
Orders from - Europe: Dec 6 - USA: Nov 29 - Canada: Nov 22 - Rest of world: Nov 22

CelticConnection is waiting with lots of warming items for the winter, gifts or treats for yourself. Have a look inside: www.CelticConnectionShop.etsy.com

(Unfortunately, as Brexit and Covid-19 are still affecting transport, I cannot guarantee shipping times, but if you order by the deadlines above, you give your item the best chance to arrive in time for Christmas.)

18/10/2021

ECCLESGREIG CASTLE occupies a commanding Scottish hilltop position, half a mile inland from the village of St. Cyrus. It offers spectacular views over the North Sea. The castle itself is a grand, elegant building with turrents, portcullis and crow stepped gables. It sits behind an excellent example of renaissance gardening.
Bram Stoker is believed to have spent time at Ecclesgreig Castle, leading some to the conclusion that the castle and gardens provided at least some inspiration for the story of Count Dracula.
Ecclesgreig Estate was originally known as the 'Lands of Mount Cyrus' and 'Lands of Criggie'. It was built in 1844 from the remains of Mount Cyrus or St. Cyrus House. The name was changed to 'Ecclesgreig' by the ancestral owners, the Forsyth Grants, to avoid confusion with the village of St. Cyrus.

16/09/2021

CELTIC KNOT BLANKET, available in three sizes. Drape your bed, your couch or yourself in soft, fluffy Celtic art. The front features edge-to-edge design sublimation printed for you when you order. The reverse is off-white. Machine washable.

Find this and more on www.redbubble.com/people/CelticConnect

09/09/2021

Since ancient times people have been planting a ROWAN TREE beside their home. In Celtic mythology it's known as the Tree of Life and symbolises courage, wisdom and protection. Rowan wood is strong and resilient, and has been used to make protective crosses tied with red thread. Rowan berries should not be eaten raw as they are highly astringent, diuretic and laxative due to high levels of parasorbic acid. Some argue that the fruits should only be picked after the first frost.

Recipe for ROWAN JELLY:
4 cups rowan berries
2 or 3 apples, peeled and quartered
1 cup sugar for each cup juice

Cover the washed berries and apples with water. Simmer about 40 minutes or until water is red and berries are very soft. Strain off the juice, but do not press the fruit or the jelly will become clouded. Measure the juice and return it to the pan. Add equivalent amount of sugar. Boil rapidly for half an hour or until some of it sets quickly on a plate when cold. Pour into sterilized jars and seal. Rowan jelly is traditionally used on roasted meats, but is good on any savory dish.