Grat McGrat
@gratmcgrat.bsky.social
They/them. Roleplaying game designer, genderqueer neurospicy nerd, petter of cats. 🐱
Check out Crucible RPG at cosmgames.com
Check out Crucible RPG at cosmgames.com
Home at last! Got in 6am yesterday after 23 hours in the air and then slept for 19 hours. Feel better for it, & also here’s my stash of whisky in all its glory! The Tupperware is full of 20ml sample bottles so there’s going to be some great tasting evenings ahead! Overall, 11/10 would holiday again.
June 13, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Home at last! Got in 6am yesterday after 23 hours in the air and then slept for 19 hours. Feel better for it, & also here’s my stash of whisky in all its glory! The Tupperware is full of 20ml sample bottles so there’s going to be some great tasting evenings ahead! Overall, 11/10 would holiday again.
Last day: managed to squeeze everything in luggage & still be under the weight limit somehow. Whisky/whiskey divided evenly between Em & I for customs, & we’re off to the National Museum to see the exhibit on gold artefacts and bog body clothing (not the actual bog bodies though). Goodbye Dublin!
June 11, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Last day: managed to squeeze everything in luggage & still be under the weight limit somehow. Whisky/whiskey divided evenly between Em & I for customs, & we’re off to the National Museum to see the exhibit on gold artefacts and bog body clothing (not the actual bog bodies though). Goodbye Dublin!
Another bucket list item achieved: getting my face printed on a head of Guinness foam. It’s officially called a “STOUTie” and it cost €8. Emily also appears on it, although she wasn’t in the original photo so it must be a miracle. Half way through the pint the image was definitely haunted. Slainté!
June 10, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Another bucket list item achieved: getting my face printed on a head of Guinness foam. It’s officially called a “STOUTie” and it cost €8. Emily also appears on it, although she wasn’t in the original photo so it must be a miracle. Half way through the pint the image was definitely haunted. Slainté!
Day 29/30 - Dublin is a beautiful city and the weather has been pretty kind as far as rain goes. We found our way to the all-new Museum of Oddities, a sort of Cabinet of Curiosities place with taxidermy and old medical equipment and odd paraphernalia. It was quirky, especially the dental phantoms!
June 9, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Day 29/30 - Dublin is a beautiful city and the weather has been pretty kind as far as rain goes. We found our way to the all-new Museum of Oddities, a sort of Cabinet of Curiosities place with taxidermy and old medical equipment and odd paraphernalia. It was quirky, especially the dental phantoms!
Newgrange yesterday, or Brú na Boinné in Gaelic, & we got to walk around tombs that make Stonehenge look new & faddish. There was a sense of age & purpose to the rocks here, & it was very well curated & explained. One of the kerbstones (pic 3) is possibly the oldest lunar calendar in the world.
June 8, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Newgrange yesterday, or Brú na Boinné in Gaelic, & we got to walk around tombs that make Stonehenge look new & faddish. There was a sense of age & purpose to the rocks here, & it was very well curated & explained. One of the kerbstones (pic 3) is possibly the oldest lunar calendar in the world.
On the way back to Belfast we went through the Dark Hedges, a gnarly tree-lined road that is famous for being gnarly & old & also was on Game of Thrones. It’s also the birthplace of the ‘Dark Hodges’, my evil twin. Beware! They’re like me only also gnarly and old, and driven to madness by bad coffee
June 6, 2025 at 7:21 PM
On the way back to Belfast we went through the Dark Hedges, a gnarly tree-lined road that is famous for being gnarly & old & also was on Game of Thrones. It’s also the birthplace of the ‘Dark Hodges’, my evil twin. Beware! They’re like me only also gnarly and old, and driven to madness by bad coffee
Carrick-a-Rede and the Giant’s Causeway today, with a detour through Bushmills Distillery. Beautiful scenic northern Irish coastline and a delicious exclusive dram! I’m going to have to cull my luggage to make room; I think some of my tshirts & shoes will be sacrificed. Moritūrī tē salūtant!
June 6, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Carrick-a-Rede and the Giant’s Causeway today, with a detour through Bushmills Distillery. Beautiful scenic northern Irish coastline and a delicious exclusive dram! I’m going to have to cull my luggage to make room; I think some of my tshirts & shoes will be sacrificed. Moritūrī tē salūtant!
Belfast: Day 25 - Ulster Museum for a thought-provoking display on the Troubles, and then next door to the Botanic Gardens to see where they breed the Dark Young of Shub-Niggurath (cleverly disguised as a Victorian-era greenhouse). Dinner at Belfast Castle (cleverly disguised as a castle) was delish
June 5, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Belfast: Day 25 - Ulster Museum for a thought-provoking display on the Troubles, and then next door to the Botanic Gardens to see where they breed the Dark Young of Shub-Niggurath (cleverly disguised as a Victorian-era greenhouse). Dinner at Belfast Castle (cleverly disguised as a castle) was delish
From our boat ride to see dolphins in Inverness: Emily does SouthPark cosplay and it has nothing to do with the biting cold wind, honest.
June 4, 2025 at 11:50 AM
From our boat ride to see dolphins in Inverness: Emily does SouthPark cosplay and it has nothing to do with the biting cold wind, honest.
Touched down in Belfast and got to try the native supply straight away: it’s nicer than from the can in Australia! I assume the closer one gets to St James’ Gate the better it tastes; will update after further research.
June 4, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Touched down in Belfast and got to try the native supply straight away: it’s nicer than from the can in Australia! I assume the closer one gets to St James’ Gate the better it tastes; will update after further research.
Once again the Sunflower Lanyard helped me get through check-in and boarding with minimal anxiety. The airport staff are super friendly to folk with disabilities and I think they like helping us get on ahead of the First Class passengers :P I did find myself unconsciously exaggerating my limp though
June 3, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Once again the Sunflower Lanyard helped me get through check-in and boarding with minimal anxiety. The airport staff are super friendly to folk with disabilities and I think they like helping us get on ahead of the First Class passengers :P I did find myself unconsciously exaggerating my limp though
Last night in Inverness was one of good food and good music, at Hootananny’s in the main drag. Listened to a pair of lads crank out jigs and covers of The Boss with an accordion and acoustic guitar, while eating up-market fish n chips on the dining balcony. A nice cap to our time in Scotland 🏴
June 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Last night in Inverness was one of good food and good music, at Hootananny’s in the main drag. Listened to a pair of lads crank out jigs and covers of The Boss with an accordion and acoustic guitar, while eating up-market fish n chips on the dining balcony. A nice cap to our time in Scotland 🏴
Day ??? Inverness to Belfast via Heathrow. Got to wander the iconic Leakey’s Bookshop in Inverness before we left, as well as the local Museum & Art Gallery, where I discovered the Scots Gaelic name for the Water Vole is “Bad Alan”. Ooooh that Alan, watch out, he’s a bad ‘un! #crankyscotsvole
June 3, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Day ??? Inverness to Belfast via Heathrow. Got to wander the iconic Leakey’s Bookshop in Inverness before we left, as well as the local Museum & Art Gallery, where I discovered the Scots Gaelic name for the Water Vole is “Bad Alan”. Ooooh that Alan, watch out, he’s a bad ‘un! #crankyscotsvole
Crossed a major moment off my bucket list this morning: ate haggis on the shores of Loch Shiel in the village of Glenfinnan. As a lifelong fan of the movie Highlander it was necessary to make this pilgrimage. Gluten free so I could share the feast with Emily!
June 1, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Crossed a major moment off my bucket list this morning: ate haggis on the shores of Loch Shiel in the village of Glenfinnan. As a lifelong fan of the movie Highlander it was necessary to make this pilgrimage. Gluten free so I could share the feast with Emily!
The Scottish geographical equivalent of Boaty McBoatface; I give you Loch Lochy. The Lochiest Loch that ever loched.
June 1, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The Scottish geographical equivalent of Boaty McBoatface; I give you Loch Lochy. The Lochiest Loch that ever loched.
View from the window of our room at Craigag Lodge in Glenfinnan as we arrived - I think we’re in the right place 💜
May 31, 2025 at 3:06 PM
View from the window of our room at Craigag Lodge in Glenfinnan as we arrived - I think we’re in the right place 💜
Day 21: Glasgow to Glenfinnan. Rainy introduction to the Highlands but it’s so beautiful here. Hills with tops shrouded in cloud, vast green valleys, tumbling streams down every rocky surface. Stopped for yarn & whisky in Fort William: much bigger town than I expected given how small they all are!
May 31, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Day 21: Glasgow to Glenfinnan. Rainy introduction to the Highlands but it’s so beautiful here. Hills with tops shrouded in cloud, vast green valleys, tumbling streams down every rocky surface. Stopped for yarn & whisky in Fort William: much bigger town than I expected given how small they all are!
First cat cafe experience was definitely worth it. They just frolic and wander and you get to pat them when they come close! And they try and steal your food in adorable ways but you’re not allowed to let them. The sphinxes were the friendliest: I had one sitting behind me playing with my hair!
May 30, 2025 at 12:13 PM
First cat cafe experience was definitely worth it. They just frolic and wander and you get to pat them when they come close! And they try and steal your food in adorable ways but you’re not allowed to let them. The sphinxes were the friendliest: I had one sitting behind me playing with my hair!
An actual Haggis, in the museum display on environmental diversity. What more proof do you need for the existence of these elusively tasty beasts?
May 28, 2025 at 11:26 AM
An actual Haggis, in the museum display on environmental diversity. What more proof do you need for the existence of these elusively tasty beasts?
At Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. Say hello to Sir Roger and his friends!
May 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
At Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. Say hello to Sir Roger and his friends!
Took a cheeky diversion into blended whisky with one bottle: it’s a blend of four single-cask Caol Ila 15 year olds so it’s pretty niche still. Notes of burnt honey & meadow flowers (I’m still learning how to translate tasting notes: it may be complete fiction but it’s what my brain registered!)
May 27, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Took a cheeky diversion into blended whisky with one bottle: it’s a blend of four single-cask Caol Ila 15 year olds so it’s pretty niche still. Notes of burnt honey & meadow flowers (I’m still learning how to translate tasting notes: it may be complete fiction but it’s what my brain registered!)
Day 17 and Islay time comes to an end. Charming, quaint, blessedly cold weather, & warm welcomes; I won’t miss the single lane “roads” but I will miss the festive spirit in all senses. I have been positively awash with whisky tastings, & test the customs limit on alcohol to get everything home.
May 27, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Day 17 and Islay time comes to an end. Charming, quaint, blessedly cold weather, & warm welcomes; I won’t miss the single lane “roads” but I will miss the festive spirit in all senses. I have been positively awash with whisky tastings, & test the customs limit on alcohol to get everything home.
Spent the afternoon in a rain-soaked field making illicit whisky in a home-made still (pictured). Bloody brilliant. The guy running it said at the end he officially can’t tell us we can drink it, and that it’s best used as hand sanitizer. Welp, my hands will smell of bootleg whisky then! Magic!
May 26, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Spent the afternoon in a rain-soaked field making illicit whisky in a home-made still (pictured). Bloody brilliant. The guy running it said at the end he officially can’t tell us we can drink it, and that it’s best used as hand sanitizer. Welp, my hands will smell of bootleg whisky then! Magic!
Bruichladdich’s Rock’ndaal is exactly what I hoped for in a whisky festival event. Great live music, fresh oysters, excellent drams and cool rainy weather (despite the blue skies in the picture most of the afternoon was grey). 10/10 would Rock again
May 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Bruichladdich’s Rock’ndaal is exactly what I hoped for in a whisky festival event. Great live music, fresh oysters, excellent drams and cool rainy weather (despite the blue skies in the picture most of the afternoon was grey). 10/10 would Rock again
Just bought the most expensive bottle of whisky of my life. Bruichladdich Octomore 15, Aged 10 years. It’s like smoky toffee and dark chocolate. A true prize for a great holiday experience.
May 25, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Just bought the most expensive bottle of whisky of my life. Bruichladdich Octomore 15, Aged 10 years. It’s like smoky toffee and dark chocolate. A true prize for a great holiday experience.