Spring 2007
Faculty Travel: Jay Bopp
In June and July of 2006 my family and I traveled to one of our favorite places in the world:
Northern Ireland and Scotland. This was my third time in the UK, my wife’s second time, and
our daughter’s first time.
Our first week was spent in Northern Ireland attending the International Congress of Free Presbyterian Churches. The services were held in the evening, allowing ample time for sightseeing during the day. In addition to visiting some of the must-see attractions in Northern Ireland—the geological formation known as The Giant’s Causeway on the Antrim Coast, the Mountains of Mourne to the south, and the Knoach Monument—we toured several historical locations such as Carrickfergus Castle and Belfast Castle. My wife and I visited a nice little art gallery in Belfast: the Charles Gilmore Gallery, where our friend Joanna Tinsley had new works exhibited; BJU art grad Rhonda Paisley exhibits her work at the nearby Emer Gallery.
From Northern Ireland we crossed over to Scotland, traveling from west to east and back
again. Once more, both historical and cultural locations were on the schedule: David Livingston’s
Home and Museum in Blantyre, Stirling Castle, Bamburgh Castle, and the Museum of Scotland in
Edinburgh. Stirling Castle is currently undergoing an archeological excavation, and most of the
interior walls have been stripped back to the original stone, exposing old doors, windows and
fireplaces. In one room the discovery of a long covered fireplace made clear some puzzling
explanations about how Mary Queen of Scots held court.
Stirling Castle is also the site of The Stirling Tapestries Project, an ambitious undertaking to reproduce the tapestries in the “Hunt of the Unicorn” series believed to have been woven in France in the late 15th century. In the former stables (located within the castle walls) a huge loom has been erected, and three weavers have been working for six years creating exact replicas of a few of the original tapestries. Two tapestries are complete and the third is scheduled to be finished in August of this year. It was fascinating to see the weavers at work on this incredibly large loom! The original tapestries hang in the Cloisters section of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/stirling_tapestries for more information on the project.
The Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is a particularly fascinating destination. In fact, we
spent so much time there that we had to run a bit to see some of the other sights that you really
shouldn’t miss in Edinburgh. The Museum houses a wide collection of industrial artifacts and
exhibits including flight, rail, engineering, and agriculture; anthropology and culture; armor and
weapons; costume; sport; and a wonderful exhibition on Art and Industry since 1850. It’s a
wonderful way to spend a day in Edinburgh!
Of course, watching World Cup matches on British television, hiking in the Highlands, a trip to Coldingham Sands (a favorite beach), and shopping were also highlights of the trip.
Throughout our trip we stayed with friends who are missionaries in the UK, and their fellowship was the most enduring memory of our journey across the Pond.