Slàinte mhath! Steve, MR Willox and I celebrated Burns Night with haggis, whisky and the traditional Toast to the Lassies (as the only lassie present, I insisted).
Lunch with Karen at Provost Skene’s House. I asked my friend Pauline about the creepy face on the corner of the house (she tends to know about this stuff – or at least know where to find out), and the three stories she’s heard are these:
- It’s Baillie Alexander Ragg, a magistrate of the City. The house was on the corner of Broad Street and Ragg’s Lane (now long gone). There are some very similar faces on the old well by the Castlegate which are also believed to be him.
- It’s Homer and was put there to advertise the bookseller who owned the building.
- George Russel, a sculptor living at no 35, had a grudge against a neighbouring ironmonger, Alexander Stephen, and to spite him modelled a likeness of the tradesman showing his most irate, unhappy face. The caricature was then put in a prominent position designed to infuriate Stephen every time he passed Ragg’s Lane.
She got the details from this book.
I crocheted a flower! So pleased with myself!
I just liked the light on Friday afternoon.
Walking home from Sunday brunch at Papagallo’s, we spotted Santa stuck in an empty shop. Further down the street – much more excitingly – shiny reflective things. Ooh!
Sarah Rooftops 