2023 was...

Kellas House, Dad’s first heart attack, New car, Managing a museum, Red Dead Redemption 2, Managing Lyth Arts Centre events, Visiting Skye, Climbing The Storr, Misty Isle Bricks, Family drama, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Perth, Being the TartanLUG Engagement Officer, Society of Caithness Artists, Three jobs, Wedding planning, DBI 2023, Street Fighter 6, Barbenheimer, Brickmania 2023, Barry (HBO), My excellent stag-do, Polmaily House, Getting married, The rainiest weekend of all time, The best weekend of all time, the best friends we could ask for, A Drumnadrochit mini-break, Alanna’s wedding, Honeymoon in Rhodes, Cocktails, Swimming, Sun, Lindos, A successful job interview, Buying a house, Moving to Inverness, Packing EVERYTHING, TartanLUG Xmas party, and the exciting beginnings of Season 2.

It was a year of change.

Rhodes, September 2023

I got married earlier this year -which is something I don’t think i’ve actually mentioned here!?- and for our honeymoon, we went to the Greek island of Rhodes for some long overdue rest, relaxation, and of course sun.

Most of the days on the island were spent at the hotel resort sipping cocktails, swimming in the sea, and sunlounging entire afternoons at a time, and while initially this all felt a little jarring, it was a lifestyle I fell into a little too easily as the days passed. Certainly, I hadn’t realised how much I needed a holiday until I was away and completely unplugged from everything.

We stayed at the excellent Atrium Prestige- a remote complex carved into the coast on the south of the island, a base the kind James Bond villains could only dream of. We were fortunate to squeeze in a few excursions too, one, to Rhodes town itself for a walking tour of the medieval architecture and night markets, and two, to the town of Lindos for rooftop cafes and a climb to the Akropolis.

Both were great and definite must-dos on the island…though sadly didn’t have any pools or loungers.

Isle of Skye, March 2023

In March earlier this year I got to visit the Isle of Skye for the first time, making the pilgrimage west to take part in Misty Isle Bricks, a TartanLUG Lego show. It was the first show of it’s kind in Skye, and though only a one day event, I greatly enjoyed the rest of my weekend on the island, making the absolute most of my time there.

I found Skye incredbly inspiring- stunning views, interesting folklore, and something cultural/historic around each corner- so naturally there were lots of photos. And lots of walking too! Some of the most i’ve done in some time, going up hills, through muddy fields, and down scree paths.

Arriving mid afternoon on the Friday -and before check-in!- I climbed The Storr. Saturday was the show of course, but also a visit to Uig. Sunday was home-time, but some further driving first, with a trip to the Fairy Pools. Throughout, I resided centrally over the weekend, staying at the Portree Hotel- an excellent mid-island base for my weekend.

I’m fortunate to be visiting Skye again next year- i’m looking forward to exploring further then!

TartanLUG Engagement Officer

I’ve been pretty quiet here recently, but I have good news to share:

I’ve been elected as the Engagement Officer for TartanLUG, the Scottish Lego User Group! I take over the role previously held by Stewart Lamb Cromar, who of course left me incredibly big shoes to fill.

I’ve been a part of the LUG for a few years now, and it’s had a huge positive effect on me as a builder- it’s been inspirational meeting so many other creative, passionate, AFOLs. I’ve written about that joy, and many of the events I attended, previously.

As Engagement Officer, i’ll be looking to do likewise for others, highlighting some of the excellent shows and builds that the LUG produces, as well as sharing news in and outwith the group. It’s all very exciting- you can help me out by following some of the TartanLUG social media channels to help me out!

I’ve never had a minifig sigfig- enjoy my new hastily constructed avatar until something better appears!