Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Tullibardine Chapel September 01, 2016 1658 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 1151 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 747 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 1184 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 442 Views 0 Comment A thought-provoking poem by Sudeep Adhikari from Kathmandu
British trees , Wildlife & Nature The fire of the ash August 09, 2016 3508 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 1181 Views 14 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 Culross Abbey July 29, 2016 1590 Views 12 Comments High on the hillside above Culross Palace are the peaceful ruins of a very old monastery with links to St …
Photography Jewels of the sea July 20, 2016 634 Views 6 Comments The latest in my water-themed photo series – taken from the pier on the Isle of Lismore, as we waited …
Reviews Book review: ‘Scotland’s Merlin’ by Tim Clarkson July 14, 2016 1114 Views 14 Comments “And in the battle of Arfderydd my torc was of gold…” From ‘Yr Afallennau’ (‘The Apples’), a poem in the …
History , Megalithic sites Kilmartin Glen: Nether Largie South July 07, 2016 1383 Views 10 Comments Stepping down through the layers of time into the darkness of a Neolithic chambered cairn
Catkins Coffee mornings with Purdey and friends June 26, 2016 533 Views 14 Comments Just recently, my human has been paying mysterious visits to the house next door, which at the moment is inhabited …
Photography Summer June 21, 2016 680 Views 8 Comments The glorious beach at Sanna in Ardnamurchan is the latest in my water-themed photo series. A long drive, but well …
History Culross Palace: glowing with splendour June 14, 2016 2699 Views 39 Comments Its walls the colour of saffron, Culross Palace beckons you into a 17th-century world of cobbled streets and quaint townhouses …
Photography Golden water June 03, 2016 661 Views 10 Comments Now that summer has arrived in Scotland (a welcome surprise!) I’ve chosen another in my water-themed photo series, with a …
History , Scottish castles Loch Avich and the Castle of the Red-haired Girl May 14, 2016 1843 Views 18 Comments I knew there had to be a story attached to this; I hope you'll find it as spellbinding as …
History Mons Meg: a damsel of destruction December 08, 2015 1516 Views 21 Comments No one could ever accuse James II of being under-equipped. Take a look at the ultimate in big boys' …
Catkins Loving Angels instead July 17, 2013 595 Views 21 Comments Something slightly different this time in Catkins: a heart-warming true story! A year or so ago – it’s hard to …
Catkins Purdey’s brush with the paranormal October 20, 2013 557 Views 20 Comments There’s an old Scottish legend that speaks about the Cait Sith (pronounced ‘caught shee‘), a witch in the form of …
Wildlife & Nature The dog rose August 15, 2015 1443 Views 20 Comments Evoking long summer days and warm sunshine, these glorious blooms will soon be turning into bright red hips
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Kilmory Knap Chapel – part one June 22, 2013 1775 Views 20 Comments This tiny little chapel on Loch Sween has some pretty big secrets - I can't wait to show you what's …
Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Dunfermline Abbey (part 2): pride of kings November 18, 2015 1468 Views 20 Comments The second in my two-part series about the abbey and royal palace of Dunfermline
Carved crosses , History Inveraray Cross August 30, 2013 1709 Views 20 Comments For any visitor to Inveraray, the glorious castle steals the show - but it's worth taking time to look at …
Catkins PAWS Awards 2012: Purdey’s answer to the Oscars January 26, 2012 624 Views 20 Comments With the Golden Globes just behind us and the build-up to the Oscars already under way, I feel it’s time …
Colin's easel Black grouse in silver birch tree September 15, 2013 846 Views 19 Comments This lovely new image was painted entirely with a pin-feather from a black grouse!
Photography Scottish islands: Kerrera July 14, 2015 636 Views 19 Comments Kerrera is the long, low island that sits like a natural storm barrier between Oban Bay and the Firth of Lorn. …
Carved crosses , Churches, abbeys and chapels , History The secrets of St Cormac November 05, 2018 3389 Views 19 Comments On Eilean Mor in the MacCormaig Isles I found a chapel, a cross, a hermit's cave... and an intriguing mystery
Carved crosses , Churches, abbeys and chapels , History Kilmory Knap Chapel – part two June 25, 2013 1805 Views 19 Comments Continuing the excitement at Kilmory Knap Chapel with the magnificent MacMillan's Cross and a tantalising story...
Photography A tree of fire October 05, 2013 1013 Views 19 Comments Autumn has set light to this beautiful old mountain ash, photographed in the hills above Braemar.
History , Megalithic sites The Ballymeanoch stones, Kilmartin Glen March 13, 2016 1845 Views 19 Comments Clad in silvery garlands of lichen, these stones have been casting long shadows in Kilmartin Glen for thousands of years …
British trees , Wildlife & Nature The fragrance of juniper November 29, 2015 3829 Views 19 Comments Since the end of the last Ice Age, juniper has been colonising open areas of land and offering shelter to …
Photography Windows: Dunfermline Abbey March 09, 2017 1945 Views 19 Comments The third in my photo-series is this beautiful stained glass window by Douglas Strachan in the old nave of Dunfermline …
