The rain holds off.

Remembrance Day. The rain held off . For Scotland in November this is no small miracle. 

For the first time ever I see people stopping in the street for the two minutes silence . Not everyone, nor the majority, but enough to remind you what day it is. Black ties are much in evidence. We both note that the old medieval bells have been muffled and peel in a most unusual high pitched way.

The students were out in force.

So too the local regiment.

Our Member of Parliament was there marching with a flock of civic worthies. There was a time when the councillors would wear top hats but top hats are well and truly  a thing of the past.

The Minister from the Kirk led the 'other' organizations towards the war memorial. She is an imposing and determined looking figure.

Guides, Scouts, and a melee of local school children ( and their parents) follow along behind. The procession here has little of the formality of the one in Edinburgh but the turnout is youthful and the street is packed solid a full three hundred yards back from the war memorial to the cafe where Kate met Wills ( allegedly ). 

In small rural communities remembrance continues to be a big thing.

The next big event will be St Andrews Day. Until then the town takes on a quieter air as 'they' come to the realisation that exams are now less than a month away.

A Pictish memory. Coming up for auction in Edinburgh. Why were they made ? What were they for ? :https://www.lyonandturnbull.com/auctions/form-through-time-929/lot/19

Made in China. An update :https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CHINA-ECONOMY/TRADE-OBJECTS/moparrmewva/

Academic technology :https://hollisrobbinsanecdotal.substack.com/p/you-are-protesting-the-wrong-technology

Europe and America :https://karnitschnig.substack.com/p/europes-america-obsession