Criffel 1868

Welcome to my website. On here will be pictures and reports from our trips, both summer and winter and news and reports on my football team " Queen of the South".........and some other things we have been up to.

Well, just can't believe its so long since I updated this site. We had an amazing 4 weeks in North America in March and April. Brilliant snow, weather and skiing. Will have a full trip report to publish soon with some pictures. We finished with a few days in the brilliant City of Seattle where it was very warm and sunny, unusual for the time of year. Once home we had a few days back at work before flying to Ireland for the jumps seasons finale at Punchestown. This is my favourite meeting of the year and we also backed a winner or two. Meanwhile the season has drawn to a close for Queen of the South, it was not a great season with early exits in the cups and although challenging for a play off spot after the turn of the year we fell away badly to finish 7th. The Manager, James Fowler had a difficult task after we lost a lot of our best players last season and a few weeks ago he parted company with the club. Just now we are waiting to see who his replacement will be.

Planning for next years North American road trip is well under way. Flights from Glasgow to Seattle booked then heading to Red Mountain, Rossland, BC before going down to Silver Mountain, Idaho then Discovery at Philipsburg, Montana. Its then out on the Oregon trail down to Bend to ski Mount Bachelor and on to Mount Hood to stay at Timberline Lodge.

Football season ends with Queens narrowly failing to get past Rangers in the play offs. A 2-1 loss at Palmerston followed by a 1-1 draw at Ibrox saw Hibs go through to face (and beat) Hibs in the SF. They will now face Motherwell to see who starts next season in the top flight.

Too long since updated this site. Great ski trip to Italy in January and QOS are still having a great season. Been skiing at the Lecht and on Lowther Hill too. We are into April and lots of snow is still falling on the Scottish hills.

The great late summer weather has been a bonus, September was a fine and warm month and October started dry with above average temperatures. Kids on school holidays for two weeks now and we have been up at Falkirk to see the magnificent Kelpie statues at Helix park as well as taking a look at the Falkirk Wheel. Kids also enjoyed visiting the Battle of Bannockburn experience at Stirling.

Kids back to school after what has been a good summer weatherwise here in SW Scotland. We managed to get away with the tent a few times and had lots of other great days out. Wickerman festival at Dundrennan was a brilliant weekend and I will have pictures from there on this site. The new football season has started with QOS in the Championship up against Rangers, Hearts and Hibs this season. We lost out to Falkirk in the playoffs last season after finishing 4th but a similar position again this season would be a massive success. Started well so far with two wins from two against Alloa and Dumbarton.

4 Months have past since I last updated on here. On the football front QOS go into their final two league games looking good to secure 4th place in the league and the chance of the play offs and a move to the Premiership.

I had a week out in Argentiere in January and we have now just returned from a great North American road trip where we had some brilliant skiing. (see report)

Well, after winning the league and the Ramsdens cup, QOS Management team then signed a years contract extension. Things were looking good until Kilmarnock parted company with Kenny Shiels. It was always going to be difficult to hold onto Magic and Sandy and the lure of his former club and the chance to manage in the SPL proved too strong. We wish Alan Johnston and Sandy Clark all the best at Rugby Park.
The board at Palmerston moved quickly to appoint a new management team, ex Dunfermline manager Jim McIntyre and his assistant Gerry McCabe werebrought in just a couple of days after Alan and Sandy left. This looks a good appointment and we know that Jim likes to play the game the correct way, so lets look forward to the new season and a succesfull return to Div 1.

What a few weeks its been for QOS. The title winning night up at Forfar's Station Park v Brechin City was amazing, what a performance winning 6-0, so glad I was there. We have also won the Ramsdens Cup after beating Partick Thistle 6-5 on pens (1-1 aet), not the greatest match of all time but it came alive in extra time, firstly Nicky Clark nodded home our 100th goal of the season in the 100th minute only for Thistle to get a penalty with two minutes to go. Lee Robinson saved it then penalty taker Muirhead got a red card for head butting Chris Higgins. It looked over but Doolan scored with the last kick of the game to force penalties. Keeper Robinson was again the hero with two saves and also scoring himself.
On the negative side I broke my collar bone after a tumble skiing at Yad Moss last Friday but hopefully it wont be too long in healing. 9/4/13

As I write this QOS are only a couple of wins away from winning the Scottish League Div 2 title, its been a record breaking year so far. We have also got the Challenge cup final to look forward to in April v Partick Thistle.
Been plenty of snow around this winter too, had a fine days skiing at Glencoe with Raymond a few weeks ago and last weekend Jill, Craig, Anya and myself had a nice weekend in Aviemore.

Been a busy,busy few months and never had a minute to update on here. QOS are marching on towards the 2nd Div Championship and playing some great stuff along the way.
I had a great short break out in Argentiere with Raymond then last week Jill,nyself and the kids had an excellent week in Courchevel 1850 with Ski Esprit.

What a start to the season Queen of the South have made, we are unbeaten in the league after 6 matches and have only conceded 2 goals. In the Ramsdens cup we meet Arbroath in the semi-final after beating Dumbarton,Morton and Rangers all away from home. We beat Alloa and Hibs in the league cup before unluckily going out against Dundee Utd.

Pictures from this years Wickerman Festival can be seen on the link below.