Western Isles in Scotland

Europe-Scotland-North Uist-Lockmaddy  This postcard looks like Ireland but it is not . It is North Uist in the Western Isles in Scotland. A great place to visit with wonderful sandy beaches. 

Here you will see on this stamp some Scottish Tartan 

Europe-Scotland-The Western Isles-Isle of Harris-Rodel   This is where my journey started when I took a small yacht into the the North West part of Scotland . This area is famous for Harris Tweed. 

On this stamp we have the Scottish Thistle another symbol of Scotland 

Scotland Orkney and Shetland Islands

Europe-Scotland-New Lanark   A World Heritage Site. A old Working village that is very well preserved and a great place to visit. 

The stamp on the right shows a Viaduct in Scotland. Postmarks in Scotland are mostly always faint as you will see from these cards. 

Europe-Scotland-Orkney Islands-Kirkwall This is the old harbour and dates from the early 19th century. Kirkwall is the main town in the Orkneys and has a population of about 8,000. If you want to find a little ole world , this is it here. 

A Scottish Definitive stamp on the right. 

Europe-Scotland-Orkney Islands-Storomness   Here you can see the harbour at Stromness . 

You can just about see that this has a Orkney Postmark. The Stamp is part of a miniature sheet featuring Scotland. 

Europe-Scotland-Skara Brae  A neolithic site from 3000 BC. Also a World Heritage Site. Considered to be the best preserved prehistoric site in Northern Europe. 

All little Post offices up here. 

Europe-Scotland-Shetland Islands-Lerwick  Here is a good overview of the the Shetland Islands. The wind can blow quite strong here that you dont see many trees in some parts. Felt very remote in parts. Flights to the Scottish Islands here are not cheap, but I have to say all these Islands are very interesting to visit . 

Here we have the Scottish flag on the right. . 

Scotland,England and Wales.

Europe-Scotland-Edinburgh   Edinburgh the capital of Scotland.  The castle bring the most famous site here. Always a friendly place and I am saying that from a Irish point of view. A very fine city. 

This Scottish regional stamp shows a thistle one of the national emblems of Scotland. 

Europe-United Kingdom-Edinburgh   Here we have the Royal Yacht Britannia. This was the ship used by the Queen for worldwide travels. It is now a tourist attraction. Also used for functions. It was interesting to see and I was surprised how small the bedrooms were. 

Showing two first class stamps from the United Kingdom. 

Europe-United Kingdom-Bristol   Bristol an old English town. The postcard is a good reflection of the sites on offer. 

This stamp shows the outside of a retail department store in Birmingham England. 

Europe-Wales-Cardiff   My first visit to Cardiff the capital of  Wales. Took me a while to get here, being so close to Dublin. The castle was the main attraction here. I have to say I much prefer the Wales small towns and countryside. 

This Welsh regional stamp shows a daffodil ,one of the national symbols of Wales. 

Europe

Europe-Scotland-Glasgow  A very industrial city but a surprising place in that there is much to see. MacKintosh furniture is famous and there is much of his work to be seen here. A very friendly place too. 

Getting a clear postmark in Scotland is near impossible. I have posted much from here but I don't think I have one clear mark. The first stamp on the left is the Lion of Scotland. 

Europe-Spain-Valencia  The gates to the old town. Always have been here late September each time I have visited.  It is always nice weather wise at that time of year . 

At least there is a Spanish stamp here this time instead of the usual label. 

Europe-Spain-Alicante  I have only passed through Alicante on the way to or from Valencia . All I could see from the car was rows and rows of houses and Apartments, just like the postcard. 

This is a Miniature Sheet which includes a stamp. In fact it shows Alicante . 

Europe-Isle of Man-Douglas  I spend many summers here as a child . Loved it . Had not been back in 30 years. It has changed. I think you see things differently through the eyes of a child for sure. Still lots of good memories . I always remembered how good the quality of the roads were compared to Ireland at the time. I guess they needed to be good as the Isle of Man is famous for the TT bike races. Now more a banking and financial location and less tourists I would think. 

The Post office has changed in Douglas. I used to go in and get all the new stamp issues when I was there.  Always had very nice stamps. Still do in fact. A great Post office to buy stamps from 

Europe-Monaco-Monte-Carlo  A scene of Monte-Carlo including much of the reclaimed land that MC stands on. Second visit here . Seen how clean Monaco was . On this occasion visited the Royal Apartments .  

Princess Grace on the first stamp , of Irish Parents. Monaco had a great selection of stamps . Albert II  , Prince of Monaco has a great interest in stamps . Not sure if he has to personally approve each stamp issue. I doubt it.