Claire Archibald-Shepherd's Avatar

Claire Archibald-Shepherd

@pumpkinclaire

I love steam engines, Tudor Queens, Cold War spies & lots in between. Drinker of gin. Owner of many dresses. Jam Tart, Belter, Gooner. I will always like pictures of cats.

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03.09.2023
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Latest posts by Claire Archibald-Shepherd @pumpkinclaire

It’s terrible, I feel doubly unfortunate as Flower of Scotland is an awful dirge and, as part of the UK, God Save the King, is also dull as ditchwater.

07.03.2026 19:42 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Can one suddenly develop an allergy to oat milk? Is this a perimenopause thing? What is happening?

04.03.2026 13:58 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

10 games to go and the stress of this season will be over! πŸ‡±πŸ‡»

21.02.2026 20:02 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A photo of my tv screen, it reads April 1805 Napoleon is Master of Europe only the British fleet stands before him Oceans are now battlefields

A photo of my tv screen, it reads April 1805 Napoleon is Master of Europe only the British fleet stands before him Oceans are now battlefields

A photo of Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey with the caption You fired a broadside right into my heart

A photo of Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey with the caption You fired a broadside right into my heart

Valentine’s Day isn’t Valentine’s Day if we’re not sailing on the high seas with Captain Aubrey in search of the Acheron, for England, for home, and for the prize!

14.02.2026 21:50 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A card that reads Captain Wentworth: setting unrealistic expectations since 1817

A card that reads Captain Wentworth: setting unrealistic expectations since 1817

We don’t really do St Valentine’s Day but Craig got me this card which made me laugh a lot! *sighs in Jane Austen*

14.02.2026 13:11 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Help, I think I’m addicted to The Traitors. In the last couple of weeks I’ve binged series 4, the Celebrity Traitors, series 1 and now on episode 2 of series 2.

13.02.2026 23:22 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I’ve never watched the Traitors before but Craig and I decided to watch the last series to see what the fuss is about. I am obsessed with how Stephen says β€œTraitors”, his Scottish accent is well cooler than mine! πŸ˜‚

31.01.2026 16:47 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Me with my stupid hat - maroon with white stripes, the Hearts badge and the biggest bobble known to man!

Me with my stupid hat - maroon with white stripes, the Hearts badge and the biggest bobble known to man!

Wednesday night under the lights at Tynecastle. πŸ‡±πŸ‡»

14.01.2026 19:28 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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50 runaway sheep ram-paged through a German supermarket in rural Baa-varia, causing shear mania on Monday morning.

After breaking away from their 500-strong herd, the brazen sheep spent 20 minutes milling around in the Penny supermarket before ewe-turning and seeing themselves out.

07.01.2026 11:48 πŸ‘ 983 πŸ” 327 πŸ’¬ 57 πŸ“Œ 120
My living room with fairy lights strung across the ceiling and around the big glass fronted unit

My living room with fairy lights strung across the ceiling and around the big glass fronted unit

Books:
How to kill a Witch
Witchcraft A History in 13 Trials
The Witch
Jane Austen and the Navy
The Stolen Crown
The Football Battalions
The Heart of Midlothian Annual 2026!

Books: How to kill a Witch Witchcraft A History in 13 Trials The Witch Jane Austen and the Navy The Stolen Crown The Football Battalions The Heart of Midlothian Annual 2026!

Craig holding up a blue blanket it says Class 55 and has a picture of a Deltic locomotive

Craig holding up a blue blanket it says Class 55 and has a picture of a Deltic locomotive

To combat the post-Christmas gloom, we’ve decided to decorate the ceiling with fairy lights!

Tidied up my Christmas book haul - I may have to pursue a career in witch-hunting, I’m sure there are lots of jobs going in the witch-hunting sector!

We can keep cosy with Craig’s new Deltic blanket!

04.01.2026 21:25 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Craig and me standing in front of the Christmas tree, glasses of fizz, my hair is curtly and I’m wearing a sparkly dress and a fancy Tudor style necklace

Craig and me standing in front of the Christmas tree, glasses of fizz, my hair is curtly and I’m wearing a sparkly dress and a fancy Tudor style necklace

Craig and me having a snog

Craig and me having a snog

Happy New Year from the Archibald-Shepherds! πŸΎβ€οΈπŸŽ‡πŸŽ†

01.01.2026 00:32 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Me, with a pint, in the Wetherspoons

Me, with a pint, in the Wetherspoons

Craig, with a pint, in the Wetherspoon!

Craig, with a pint, in the Wetherspoon!

Me and Craig, looking all lovey dovey in the Wetherspoon!

Me and Craig, looking all lovey dovey in the Wetherspoon!

β€œIt’s Christmas Eve, babe,
In the Wetherspoon,
My old man said me,
β€˜Let’s have another one!’” 🍻

24.12.2025 16:55 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Has anyone tried using myjobscotland this evening? I was just wanting a casual look but it’s showing zero jobs in the whole of Scotland! Weird.

25.11.2025 18:29 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Newhailes House in the dark

Newhailes House in the dark

The library lit only by electronic tealights

The library lit only by electronic tealights

A portrait of Lady Alice lit by tealights. She died in childbirth in one of the rooms upstairs in the house

A portrait of Lady Alice lit by tealights. She died in childbirth in one of the rooms upstairs in the house

Me! Wearing a Popsy dress with a retro 70s style flower pattern

Me! Wearing a Popsy dress with a retro 70s style flower pattern

Had a fun after dark tour of Newhailes House, learning about the darker side of the Dalrymples and the resident ghosts of the house.

15.11.2025 00:00 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Bought a new winter coat. Anyone seen Iain Glen in Jack Taylor? Yeah, it’s like that, but y’know, clean.

15.10.2025 20:39 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Thats lovely. I bought this today!

12.10.2025 19:03 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
The Antonine baths at Carthage

The Antonine baths at Carthage

Craig and me at Carthage, Craig is wearing a peach coloured shirt and I have a floppy straw innate with an almost matching ribbon - this wasn’t deliberate!

Craig and me at Carthage, Craig is wearing a peach coloured shirt and I have a floppy straw innate with an almost matching ribbon - this wasn’t deliberate!

The interior of El Jem colosseum

The interior of El Jem colosseum

Craig and me inside El Jem colosseum. Craig is wearing a bright blue and white patterned shirt and I’m wearing the floppy sunhat again

Craig and me inside El Jem colosseum. Craig is wearing a bright blue and white patterned shirt and I’m wearing the floppy sunhat again

Have returned from two weeks in the sunshine in Tunisia. Real life beckons. Why am I not rich? πŸ˜₯ Anyway, Tunisia was excellent, so many ruins to explore. We went to Carthage and El Jem.

12.10.2025 15:12 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Today is the last day of my 30s, so I should reflect or something… For the most part it’s been great. Met the love of my life, bought a house, got married. Travelled and had a lot of fun. Sadly lost some wonderful relatives, but the memories live on. Thank you 30s, now to see what my 40s brings. ❀️

24.09.2025 18:37 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
My fridge freezer that’s covered in magnets

My fridge freezer that’s covered in magnets

We’re gonna need a bigger fridge! πŸ˜‚

15.09.2025 19:02 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Is that a telly on the ceiling?

13.09.2025 19:08 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A selfie of Craig and me outside Hill of Tarvit mansion house.

A selfie of Craig and me outside Hill of Tarvit mansion house.

Hill of Tarvit mansion house, looking beautiful under a very moody grey sky

Hill of Tarvit mansion house, looking beautiful under a very moody grey sky

Me in front of Hill of Tarvit mansion house. I’m wearing a white 50s style swing dress with pink and purple flower pattern, a lighter pink cardigan with strawberry print and neon pink tight - looks much nicer than it sounds!

Me in front of Hill of Tarvit mansion house. I’m wearing a white 50s style swing dress with pink and purple flower pattern, a lighter pink cardigan with strawberry print and neon pink tight - looks much nicer than it sounds!

Had a trip across to the bridge to the Kingdom today, fun visit to Hill of Tarvit and a trip to Fisher & Donaldson!

13.09.2025 19:02 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Me: I’ll curl my hair!
My hair: Yeah! Let’s go full Hagrid, that’s a look!
Me: FFS…

12.09.2025 20:03 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Yes, it was very interesting, I’m glad I managed to go as I think it finishes soon. I like an exhibition that makes me want to go and find out more!

06.09.2025 18:24 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A magnet with a cartoon depiction of James VI & I

A magnet with a cartoon depiction of James VI & I

I can’t visit an exhibition without buying merch, this is what I got today! Isn’t it adorable?!

06.09.2025 17:42 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
King James VI & I, he is dripping in bling!

King James VI & I, he is dripping in bling!

Went to the exhibition about King James VI & I at National Garrliees of Scotland Portrait Gallery. It was very good and now I want to read *all* the things about James. Luckily for me he seems to be having a bit of a renaissance and there’s lots for me to get stuck into!

06.09.2025 17:41 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
State of zeus, chest out, arm raised, fabulously

State of zeus, chest out, arm raised, fabulously

Zeus says "hello darlings! Who's feeling FABULOUS?!"

05.09.2025 15:18 πŸ‘ 195 πŸ” 17 πŸ’¬ 5 πŸ“Œ 2
David Lammy walking towards the front door of 10 Downing Street today.

David Lammy walking towards the front door of 10 Downing Street today.

The carefree face of a man who's just been told he no longer has to be friends with JD Vance.

05.09.2025 15:56 πŸ‘ 46 πŸ” 11 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 2

Last night I dreamt that my friend was married to Daniel Craig and woke up super annoyed she hadn’t told me about it. It took me a good few moments to remember she’s not actually married to Daniel Craig.

04.09.2025 12:46 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
A novel called A Case of Mice and Murder, it has a blue cover with a small mouse at the door of a church next to a large knife with bloodstains

A novel called A Case of Mice and Murder, it has a blue cover with a small mouse at the door of a church next to a large knife with bloodstains

Finished β€˜A Case of Mice and Murder’ by Sally Smith KC last night. I really enjoyed it, lovely storytelling and some great twists. Fallen a bit in love with Sir Gabriel Ward KC, which would be much to his horror, no doubt!

04.09.2025 05:31 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

My work does this one but the early May one rather than the late May one. My husband - who works for COPFS - gets both May ones and the the early August one. It’s all over the place!

25.08.2025 17:12 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0