Wildlife & Nature Field Gentian December 02, 2011 A scarce flower found at higher altitudes throughout Europe - these were photographed in the Grampians
Catkins My name is Blofeld… November 09, 2011 Good evening, Mr Bond. I’ve been expecting you… Ponyo belongs to Verity Woolf and Chris Sansom. She is a natural …
History History by the roadside: Glenfinnan November 09, 2011 On the shore of Loch Shiel, the statue of a lone clansman marks the spot where, in 1745, a thousand …
Wildlife & Nature The Scotch Argus butterfly November 09, 2011 The Scotch Argus (Erebia aethiops) is resident and widespread throughout most of Scotland, where it prefers damp grassland. It’s found in …
History Finlaggan and the Lords of the Isles November 08, 2011 Historic sites don't get more fascinating than this: once a seat of power in western Scotland, these windswept island …
Photography Featured image: Before the storm November 08, 2011 Windswept isolation - a black and white image by Verity Woolf
Geology Staffa: Pillars of creation October 16, 2011 This tiny island off the west coast of Mull looks like the setting for the latest Titan-themed Hollywood movie...
Photography Featured image: Perception October 15, 2011 An intriguing black-and-white image by Verity Woolf
Catkins Purdey’s Hallowe’en Fright Night October 14, 2011 Purdey (who is relaxing after her supper) has asked me to publish this photo in time for Hallowe’en. Be warned …
History , Scottish castles Linlithgow Palace October 14, 2011 Birthplace of Scotland's monarchs, this imposing shell of a palace holds some joyful and tragic memories.
Wildlife & Nature Loch Leven – wildfowl spectacular October 14, 2011 Loch Leven is Scotland's biggest lowland loch, and every autumn it's the setting for one of nature's most wonderful sights …
Catkins Purdey’s tip for toasty toes October 06, 2011 As the prospect of icy weather draws ever closer, many of my readers are asking how to keep their paws …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Kirkstall Abbey – ancient heart of Leeds October 02, 2011 These ruins of a 12th century Cistercian monastery, founded in a Yorkshire river valley 'remote from the habitation of men', …
History Easdale island: a story carved in slate September 20, 2011 This tiny island once helped to 'roof the world' with its quarried slate; now it's a unique blend of …
Colin's easel New: Black Grouse studies September 20, 2011 Two lovely small studies in watercolour and pencil, just released!
History Ghosts of St Andrews October 17, 2014 A spooky tour of St Andrews, where it seems that every street and every building has its own spectral inhabitant. …
History Clan MacThomas and the Clach na Coileach March 30, 2015 Four dead men and a sackful of live chickens… I'm just waiting for someone to suggest foul play!
Wildlife & Nature The primrose: herald of spring March 06, 2014 In March, the sweet yellow heads of primroses start to appear in the hedgerows. As one of the first …
History Inchbuie: an island of dreams January 15, 2013 For centuries, this beautiful island in the River Dochart has been the last resting place of 'The MacNab' and his …
Colin's easel Golden eagle: now taking centre stage May 10, 2013 The golden eagle is now coming into view - and he's spectacular!
Wildlife & Nature Grass of Parnassus August 12, 2011 Also known as the ‘bog star’, the Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) is the county flower of Cumbria and Sutherland. …
British trees , Wildlife & Nature The song of the aspen December 05, 2016 Fluttering on impossibly slender stalks, aspen leaves whisper a message that seems to flow from the Earth itself
Wildlife & Nature For the love of mistletoe November 30, 2014 What lies behind our long-standing affection for mistletoe's pure white berries?
History Glen More and the headless horseman May 16, 2015 After nearly 500 years, is this phantom rider still trapped in the tragedy of a bitter family feud?
Geology Coastal relics from the last Ice Age April 14, 2014 A natural arch and sea stack left high and dry after the ice retreated... with links to a warrior of …
Wildlife & Nature Snowdrops: welcome signs of spring February 21, 2013 Nothing raises your spirits in late winter quite like a carpet of snowdrops. Spring can't be far away!
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History St Michael’s Church, Linlithgow February 04, 2015 Sitting right next to Linlithgow Palace, for centuries St Michael's Church has welcomed Scotland's kings to worship under its roof.
Colin's easel Tales of the riverbank January 15, 2014 A new painting of two brown trout is emerging from Colin's easel
Wildlife & Nature In a nutshell: the daisy or ‘day’s eye’ May 31, 2014 Known as the 'day's eye', because the flowers open only in full sunlight and close up again at dusk. …
Carved crosses , History Aberlemno: riddles in stone October 10, 2012 Who were the Picts? Where did they come from, what did they believe, and why did they disappear? …