British trees , Wildlife & Nature The song of the aspen December 05, 2016 1392 Views 0 Comment Fluttering on impossibly slender stalks, aspen leaves whisper a message that seems to flow from the Earth itself
History , Scottish castles Smailholm Tower November 13, 2016 1295 Views 0 Comment A 'peel tower' in the Scottish Borders, basking in the autumn sunshine and remembering a colourful history of reiving
Poetry ‘All nature has a feeling’ by John Clare October 30, 2016 2675 Views 0 Comment These lovely words by John Clare remind us of the true essence of autumn
History , Scottish castles Old Castle Lachlan: loyalty and loss October 23, 2016 2084 Views 0 Comment Ghosts of horses tend to come in different guises, some of them benevolent and some of them more inclined towards …
Photography Autumn in Glen Garry October 20, 2016 721 Views 0 Comment Taken by Colin on 17th October on the road that leads west through Glen Garry to Kinloch Hourn. He …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Kilmorie Chapel by Loch Fyne October 17, 2016 1264 Views 0 Comment Carpeted with moss, this ancient burial ground of the Maclachlans could hold distant echoes of an early saint
Photography Beeches in Sutherland's Grove October 05, 2016 722 Views 0 Comment Thank you to everyone who suggested that my next photo series should focus on autumn in Scotland. A lovely idea! …
History The Lewis Chessmen September 21, 2016 947 Views 0 Comment Over 800 years old and still full of character, these wonderful little pieces in the National Museum of Scotland will …
Reviews Book review: ‘Island of Dreams’ by Dan Boothby September 18, 2016 735 Views 11 Comments At the end of August I went to the Edinburgh Book Festival to see a joint talk by two authors …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Tullibardine Chapel September 01, 2016 1457 Views 0 Comment The hopes, prayers and tragic losses of the Murray family are preserved in this wonderful old chapel in Perthshire
Wildlife & Nature Devil’s-bit scabious August 24, 2016 1005 Views 0 Comment These pretty blooms of late summer are an important food source for butterflies and bees
Photography Waves at Eoropie August 22, 2016 691 Views 0 Comment Waves sweeping in from the Atlantic at Eoropie (Eòrapaidh) on the Isle of Lewis. This is the last in my …
History Innerpeffray: Scotland's oldest free lending library August 14, 2016 1042 Views 0 Comment By the quiet waters of the River Earn is an unexpected treasurehouse of books. Step inside and prepare to …
Poetry 'Tree is a fractalscape' by Sudeep Adhikari August 12, 2016 386 Views 0 Comment A thought-provoking poem by Sudeep Adhikari from Kathmandu
British trees , Wildlife & Nature The fire of the ash August 09, 2016 3304 Views 0 Comment The ash is a beguiling tree, elegant in all seasons, and mother to a host of legends
Carved crosses , History The Pictish stone of Fowlis Wester August 05, 2016 1023 Views 12 Comments The Picts liked to blend drama, devotion and mystery in their sculptures - or so it seems to us now …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Kilbride Kirk, Lerags July 04, 2017 1788 Views 23 Comments In this mossy graveyard close to Loch Feochan, many generations of MacDougalls have been laid to rest
Wildlife & Nature Trees of winter January 02, 2016 897 Views 22 Comments On a New Year's Day walk, the sound of the wind in the trees reminded me of these words by …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History St Brendan and the Garvellachs February 24, 2012 1420 Views 22 Comments St Brendan and the Garvellachs sounds like an Irish folk group… and in a way, that's what they were! …
History , Megalithic sites The Devil’s Arrows: shafts of darkness August 12, 2015 1453 Views 22 Comments The people who put up these standing stones in North Yorkshire were obviously thinking big - but what on earth …
History The Fairy Flag of Dunvegan August 07, 2013 1675 Views 22 Comments It's 1580, you're in an advancing army and you see the MacLeods on the other side start to unfurl their …
History Dunadd: behold the king! June 14, 2015 1871 Views 21 Comments This low rocky hill in the south of Kilmartin Glen was once the setting for royal ceremonies that shaped the …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Dunfermline Abbey (part 1): echoes of majesty November 13, 2015 1499 Views 21 Comments A powerful king and a devoted queen: these massive walls guard a shrine that lies at the very heart …
History , Scottish castles Carnbane Castle and a banquet for a bard February 16, 2016 1346 Views 21 Comments On top of a little wooded knoll in Glen Lyon, I felt as if I'd stepped straight into a legend... …
Catkins Loving Angels instead July 17, 2013 528 Views 21 Comments Something slightly different this time in Catkins: a heart-warming true story! A year or so ago – it’s hard to …
Colin's easel Red deer painting January 13, 2016 840 Views 21 Comments Colin has started 2016 with a big project… a new painting of some red deer making their way across a …
British trees , Wildlife & Nature The enchantment of the rowan September 09, 2013 2070 Views 21 Comments The mountain ash is one of our best-loved native trees: beautiful in every season, with more than a hint …
History Rock art at Ormaig October 18, 2018 7380 Views 21 Comments Intriguing symbols and patterns, possibly over 5,000 years old, are etched into a hillside overlooking Loch Craignish...
Wildlife & Nature Trespassing February 06, 2018 2970 Views 21 Comments Renewing my love of hazels, and the spells that they weave...
History Mons Meg: a damsel of destruction December 08, 2015 1346 Views 21 Comments No one could ever accuse James II of being under-equipped. Take a look at the ultimate in big boys' …
Poetry An Adlestrop moment June 29, 2013 598 Views 21 Comments I’m taking a bit of a diversion from my usual Hazel Tree topics because it’s late June. I think I’d …
Carved crosses , History Inveraray Cross August 30, 2013 1511 Views 20 Comments For any visitor to Inveraray, the glorious castle steals the show - but it's worth taking time to look at …
