History The dark mill of Coilebar August 25, 2018 3778 Views 6 Comments A centuries-old mill in the heart of Knapdale Forest... and a refuge for a woman fleeing for her life
Carved crosses , History From Arichonan to Kilmory Oib August 20, 2018 4322 Views 8 Comments Near this ruined village in Knapdale Forest, clear waters run beneath a cross-carved stone...
History Tarbert – the ‘place of portage’ August 12, 2018 5641 Views 8 Comments 900 years ago, Magnus Barefoot saw this quiet harbour as a means to an end...
History Silent voices of Arichonan August 08, 2018 4152 Views 8 Comments Memories linger around this old abandoned settlement in Knapdale
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Kilmartin church and graveyard July 24, 2018 5135 Views 6 Comments In March we braved the wet weather to inspect medieval carved stones in Kilmartin Glen...
History Walking to the Field of the Heads July 10, 2018 4346 Views 16 Comments A quiet bay, a boggy field, and an ancient battle remembered only in a place-name...
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History The old chapel of Kilvaree June 24, 2018 5526 Views 18 Comments Almost at the end of the Craignish peninsula is this lovely old ruined chapel with links to St Maelrubha of …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History St Bride’s: a history worth saving June 20, 2018 4698 Views 8 Comments Plans are afoot to restore this lovely old McKinlay graveyard by the River Teith
Wildlife & Nature Rain June 13, 2018 3685 Views 14 Comments After weeks of dryness and warmth, the trees can sense a change in the wind
Geology , Photography Celebrating the texture and colour of rocks June 12, 2018 3018 Views 16 Comments Celebrating the beauty and diversity of our local geology in these photos by Verity Sansom
Wildlife & Nature Fresh leaves in old woodlands May 08, 2018 6371 Views 11 Comments The woodlands are bursting into leaf, and spring flowers are everywhere. It's hard to stay indoors...
History Looking for the Rock of the Dead April 15, 2018 4222 Views 25 Comments How much history is held in a place-name? Quite a lot, if this story attached to a rock on …
Wild flowers , Wildlife & Nature Golden saxifrage April 06, 2018 3303 Views 12 Comments A pretty wayside plant that loves to have its feet in water
History , Scottish castles Carnassarie Castle in Kilmartin Glen April 06, 2018 4701 Views 16 Comments This imposing ruin was once a fine example of Renaissance architecture - home of the 1st Protestant Bishop of Argyll …
Catkins The winner of Purdey’s PAWS Awards… and introducing Clyde! April 04, 2018 2800 Views 14 Comments The much-anticipated result may be a shock for some! And I'd like you to meet a new friend...
Latest Feature Welcome to my new website! April 02, 2018 3601 Views 30 Comments I'm proud to present a new look and a new logo for The Hazel Tree
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Cambuskenneth Abbey May 20, 2015 1994 Views 31 Comments Sitting in a loop of the River Forth within sight of Stirling Castle, this quiet place has witnessed some key …
Uncategorized About me and The Hazel Tree July 29, 2011 1908 Views 31 Comments About me and The Hazel Tree
History , Megalithic sites Dunchraigaig: the darkness of time October 18, 2013 2140 Views 31 Comments Set within a copse of trees, this 4,000-year-old burial chamber once lay at the heart of the people who lived …
Latest Feature Welcome to my new website! April 02, 2018 3601 Views 30 Comments I'm proud to present a new look and a new logo for The Hazel Tree
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History St Andrews: the glorious Cathedral March 20, 2014 1670 Views 30 Comments Continuing my exploration of St Andrews, I'm now looking at the ruins of its spectacular medieval Cathedral...
History , Megalithic sites Camas nan Geall: ‘the Bay of the Strangers’ July 20, 2015 5260 Views 30 Comments A chambered cairn, a standing stone and an ancient graveyard… this beautiful bay on the coast of Ardnamurchan holds some …
History , Megalithic sites Croft Moraig: circle of light January 08, 2015 2234 Views 30 Comments Right by the roadside near Kenmore in Perthshire is this wonderful stone circle - and some of its best friends …
History , Megalithic sites The Tuilyies stones October 25, 2015 1744 Views 29 Comments A windswept shore, standing stones and a blasted oak… it sounds like one of Emily Bronte's dreams!
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Rosslyn Chapel: catching the light March 09, 2016 2367 Views 29 Comments This extraordinary church was the vision of one man - William St Clair - and mystery seems to ooze out …
British trees , Wildlife & Nature The spirit of the alder August 23, 2015 3828 Views 28 Comments Lover of riverbanks and boggy places, the alder forms a close bond between earth and water. No wonder …
Uncategorized Nacreous clouds February 02, 2016 1168 Views 28 Comments Over the last couple of days, towards sunrise and sunset, our skies have contained something that I never really hoped …
Wildlife & Nature The ancient oak woods of Taynish July 02, 2015 2042 Views 28 Comments A landscape that is a living piece of Scotland's heritage: these oak woods have been growing in Knapdale for …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Saddell Abbey – in the footsteps of Somerled January 08, 2019 3492 Views 28 Comments History? Gravestones? Mysterious phenomena? Appalling weather? Time to go squelching around another ancient ruin!
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Dunkeld Cathedral: Scotland’s sacred heart January 10, 2014 2509 Views 28 Comments Can 1200 years of worship leave a lasting trace? Dunkeld Cathedral has witnessed warfare and destruction, but its …
British trees , Wildlife & Nature Sycamore: colonist or custodian? October 06, 2017 3080 Views 27 Comments Often seen as an intruder in old woodlands, the sycamore still deserves a second glance for its beauty - and …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Ardchattan: in the footsteps of St Baodan March 25, 2016 1526 Views 26 Comments Sometimes the most beautiful churches have the least to say: this is certainly true of Kilmodan, high above Loch …
