History Latest Feature Megalithic sites Diarmuid and Grainne: a boar hunt and a tragic love story in Glen Lonan
British trees , Wildlife & Nature The power of the elder June 21, 2019 A guardian of half-forgotten places, the elder's magic is both old and dark...
History Looking for the yew of Easragan May 20, 2019 The quiet shores of Loch Etive have an age-old connection with bow-makers and Bannockburn
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History The island of Gigha May 12, 2019 Memories of Viking longships haunt this tiny island of windswept sandy bays and cryptic stones
British trees , Wildlife & Nature Wild cherry: the last snow of spring April 19, 2019 One of our most beautiful flowering trees is "wearing white for Eastertide"...
Wildlife & Nature An exciting new project: a book about Britain’s trees January 21, 2019 I'm delving into the traditions associated with Britain's trees for this new book to be published by the National Trust
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Saddell Abbey – in the footsteps of Somerled January 08, 2019 History? Gravestones? Mysterious phenomena? Appalling weather? Time to go squelching around another ancient ruin!
Latest Feature Festive greetings… December 21, 2018 Sending you the warmest of wishes on the winter solstice
Carved crosses , Churches, abbeys and chapels , History The secrets of St Cormac November 05, 2018 On Eilean Mor in the MacCormaig Isles I found a chapel, a cross, a hermit's cave... and an intriguing mystery
History Rock art at Ormaig October 18, 2018 Intriguing symbols and patterns, possibly over 5,000 years old, are etched into a hillside overlooking Loch Craignish...
History , Wildlife & Nature The road to Loch Avich October 06, 2018 A back road through glorious autumn countryside... leading eventually to Loch Avich and the 'Castle of the Red-haired Girl'
Wildlife & Nature Back to Ballachuan September 10, 2018 Hazel nuts and all kinds of weird and colourful fungi litter the floor of this ancient hazel wood
History The dark mill of Coilebar August 25, 2018 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 Near this ruined village in Knapdale Forest, clear waters run beneath a cross-carved stone...
History Tarbert – the ‘place of portage’ August 12, 2018 900 years ago, Magnus Barefoot saw this quiet harbour as a means to an end...
History Silent voices of Arichonan August 08, 2018 Memories linger around this old abandoned settlement in Knapdale
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Kilmartin church and graveyard July 24, 2018 In March we braved the wet weather to inspect medieval carved stones in Kilmartin Glen...
History , Megalithic sites Dunchraigaig: the darkness of time October 18, 2013 Set within a copse of trees, this 4,000-year-old burial chamber once lay at the heart of the people who lived …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Cambuskenneth Abbey May 20, 2015 Sitting in a loop of the River Forth within sight of Stirling Castle, this quiet place has witnessed some key …
Latest Feature Welcome to my new website! April 02, 2018 I'm proud to present a new look and a new logo for The Hazel Tree
History , Megalithic sites Camas nan Geall: ‘the Bay of the Strangers’ July 20, 2015 A chambered cairn, a standing stone and an ancient graveyard… this beautiful bay on the coast of Ardnamurchan holds some …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History St Andrews: the glorious Cathedral March 20, 2014 Continuing my exploration of St Andrews, I'm now looking at the ruins of its spectacular medieval Cathedral...
History , Megalithic sites Croft Moraig: circle of light January 08, 2015 Right by the roadside near Kenmore in Perthshire is this wonderful stone circle - and some of its best friends …
British trees , Wildlife & Nature The spirit of the alder August 23, 2015 Lover of riverbanks and boggy places, the alder forms a close bond between earth and water. No wonder …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Rosslyn Chapel: catching the light March 09, 2016 This extraordinary church was the vision of one man - William St Clair - and mystery seems to ooze out …
History , Megalithic sites The Tuilyies stones October 25, 2015 A windswept shore, standing stones and a blasted oak… it sounds like one of Emily Bronte's dreams!
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Saddell Abbey – in the footsteps of Somerled January 08, 2019 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 Can 1200 years of worship leave a lasting trace? Dunkeld Cathedral has witnessed warfare and destruction, but its …
History , Scottish castles Castle Coeffin: guarding a broken heart May 24, 2014 An ancient stronghold overlooking the Sound of Mull... infused in its ivy-clad walls is an irresistible legend.
Wildlife & Nature The ancient oak woods of Taynish July 02, 2015 A landscape that is a living piece of Scotland's heritage: these oak woods have been growing in Knapdale for …
Uncategorized Nacreous clouds February 02, 2016 Over the last couple of days, towards sunrise and sunset, our skies have contained something that I never really hoped …
British trees , Wildlife & Nature Sycamore: colonist or custodian? October 06, 2017 Often seen as an intruder in old woodlands, the sycamore still deserves a second glance for its beauty - and …
