Back from Scotland April 2026

Waterlogued image of the ruined Castle Locranza, at the top of Isle of Arran. 

I am just back from a trip to Scotland with my old friend, J.  This is our third trip (in the last 20 years) to see Scotland together.  This time we focused on Isle of Arran and Loch Lomond.  I picked the general areas to explore this time, and J did arrangements (the logistics) to make it happen.  

Between Arran and Loch Lomond, we stopped at the beautiful Lochwinnoch wetland bird sanctuary.  I must have been so overcome by the beauty that I neglected to take any pictures there.  We took a nice walk along the paths and watched the birds over the water there.  Very nice!  

The "Big Loom" at The Weaver's Cottage in Kilbarchan, Scotland.

We also stopped at The Weaver's Cottage, a Scottish National Trust site.   There were three people there working, and no other visitors, so we had their full attention. They have a very large and old loom set up for demos.  It was weighted down with old curling stones (The big round stones on the floor).  The other really unusual thing about it was that the treadles were built into a pit in the floor -- That's how big this loom was!  It was set up for twill when we were there.  You can see the additional reeds hung on the wall above the fireplace.

 

 

The Master Weaver explains ...

  

Here we are "talking shop" at the end of the tour.  The master weaver lady asked me if I wove, and I showed her pictures of my 2 overshot coverlets.  She was quite impressed, as overshot is a very different style from the tartans they were weaving in Scotland as displayed on the wall.

They also asked about American quilts ... and it occurred to me that those are two of the great innovations of America in terms of creativity: overshot weaving patterns and quilting designs. 

It has inspired me to get going on a new project on my own looms.  I do miss the physical act of weaving, and have been paralyzed as to what to do next.  Seems like that would be a good time to work up a kit?  I am waiting for my husband to set up the sectional beam on the "little" 4-shaft loom before I start another coverlet. 

Waterlogued image of a hawk at the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Center.

We also visited The Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Center where we got to see many raptors up close and personal, along with an informative demonstration.   The thing that surprised me the most was the fact that people don't need a license for falconry in Great Britain.  Because it's centuries old, people think it's their right, never mind that they don't know how to treat / handle the birds.   It's easy to mess them up.    Much of their work revolves around education and conservation, with some rehabilitation.

This visit has inspired me to work on the next Quilt Jam Challenge Quilt ...  Stay Tuned! 

But first, here are a few more pictures from the trip:

 The Cal-Mac ferry that runs between Arrun and the mainland with a stunning rainbow.

 

 

Waterlogued image of Goatsfell, the highest point on Isle of Arran.   

It's just a little too short to be classified a mountain.

 

Waterlogued image from along the water's edge at Brodick, Isle of Arran.  

The clouds are obscuring the highlands in the distance.

  

 

Waterlogued image from my hotel room at the Balloch Hotel with a view of the River Leven and out to Loch Lomond.  Lots of boats, but not so many people as it was still early in the tourist season.  

  

Waterlogued photo of the Castle at Balloch, along River Leven and Loch Lomond. 

 

Waterlogued image of Ben Lomond from on the water of Loch Lomond.  

 

Waterlogued image of a Red Canoe on the shores of Loch Lomond, Scotland.

  

 

Friends for Life! 

M & J on Sweeny's boat tour of Loch Lomond.