History Walking to the Field of the Heads July 10, 2018 4252 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 5446 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 4634 Views 8 Comments Plans are afoot to restore this lovely old McKinlay graveyard by the River Teith
Wildlife & Nature Rain June 13, 2018 3653 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 2986 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 6324 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 4146 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 3252 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 4624 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 2714 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 3473 Views 30 Comments I'm proud to present a new look and a new logo for The Hazel Tree
History A morning in Kilmartin Glen March 17, 2018 3649 Views 26 Comments A quiet walk around some of my favourite places - Nether Largie and Temple Wood
History Caisteal nan Coin Duibh – ‘the Castle of the Black Dogs’ February 11, 2018 3033 Views 11 Comments What a wonderful name! Like most of the places round here, this hill fort seems to be half-immersed …
Wildlife & Nature Trespassing February 06, 2018 3021 Views 21 Comments Renewing my love of hazels, and the spells that they weave...
Catkins Purdey’s PAWS Awards 2018 February 01, 2018 2620 Views 6 Comments It's that time of year again! Polish your whiskers and get ready to cast your votes in Purdey's PAWS …
Latest Feature The Hazel Tree – now on the west coast! January 31, 2018 4193 Views 48 Comments A new home for us, and for The Hazel Tree, on the coast of Argyll
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Cambuskenneth Abbey May 20, 2015 1912 Views 31 Comments 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 2017 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 …
Uncategorized About me and The Hazel Tree July 29, 2011 1812 Views 31 Comments About me and The Hazel Tree
History , Megalithic sites Camas nan Geall: ‘the Bay of the Strangers’ July 20, 2015 5136 Views 30 Comments 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 1558 Views 30 Comments Continuing my exploration of St Andrews, I'm now looking at the ruins of its spectacular medieval Cathedral...
Latest Feature Welcome to my new website! April 02, 2018 3473 Views 30 Comments I'm proud to present a new look and a new logo for The Hazel Tree
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Rosslyn Chapel: catching the light March 09, 2016 2194 Views 29 Comments 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 1633 Views 29 Comments A windswept shore, standing stones and a blasted oak… it sounds like one of Emily Bronte's dreams!
British trees , Wildlife & Nature The spirit of the alder August 23, 2015 3536 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 1135 Views 28 Comments Over the last couple of days, towards sunrise and sunset, our skies have contained something that I never really hoped …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Saddell Abbey – in the footsteps of Somerled January 08, 2019 3141 Views 28 Comments History? Gravestones? Mysterious phenomena? Appalling weather? Time to go squelching around another ancient ruin!
Wildlife & Nature The ancient oak woods of Taynish July 02, 2015 1906 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 Dunkeld Cathedral: Scotland’s sacred heart January 10, 2014 2382 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 2956 Views 27 Comments Often seen as an intruder in old woodlands, the sycamore still deserves a second glance for its beauty - and …
Geology Fossils at Carsaig Bay September 18, 2015 2139 Views 26 Comments On Mull's south-west coast, if you can drag your eyes away from the glorious scenery, you'll find a wealth of …
History , Scottish castles Castle Sween: still watching for the sails June 13, 2013 1961 Views 26 Comments Dreaming of times gone by, this wonderful 12th-century castle looks out over Loch Sween and the Sound of Jura.
