History Latest Feature Megalithic sites Diarmuid and Grainne: a boar hunt and a tragic love story in Glen Lonan
History , Megalithic sites Loch Nell: the Tomb of the Giants and a Serpent Mound July 26, 2019 Not another chambered cairn! Yes, but this one comes with a twist...
History , Megalithic sites Greadal Fhinn – a chambered cairn and a Norse burial July 16, 2019 On a windswept hillside in Ardnamurchan, this ancient grave is linked in local lore with a Viking ruler
Wild flowers , Wildlife & Nature Enchanter’s nightshade July 04, 2019 Haunting damp, shady places, this shy woodland flower has a spellbinding beauty
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History St Conan’s Kirk June 27, 2019 Nestling by the side of Loch Awe, this extraordinary church was the vision of 19th century architect Walter Douglas Campbell
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
Wildlife & Nature The Fortingall Yew: symbol of eternity March 26, 2014 This yew tree in a Perthshire churchyard may be 5,000 years old: it's astounding to think how much human …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 The Butter Bridge, Glen Kinglas March 21, 2015 There's something about old bridges, especially when they are left marooned in the past, like this one in Glen Kinglas. …
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!
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 …
History , Scottish castles Castle Sween: still watching for the sails June 13, 2013 Dreaming of times gone by, this wonderful 12th-century castle looks out over Loch Sween and the Sound of Jura.
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 …
