A Tragedy at Portgower

Recollections An initial visit to the shore at Portgower in Sunderland in Scotland had taken place the year before. This was part of a rediscovery of a haunt from childhood, where until the age of 9, the family had transposed itself for holidays to my aunt’s house just outside Helmsdale at Navidale. I doubt if… Continue reading A Tragedy at Portgower

And Where Do You Come From?

A series of events had landed us in the Scottish town of Peebles, then in a Covid-19 status which allowed access to certain types of visitor accommodation due to the relatively low local rates of Covid-19 infection. Much of the rest of Scotland, however, remained closed. The Scottish housing market, however, remained ‘open’ – subject… Continue reading And Where Do You Come From?

Wildflower Meadow

An Unexpected Spectacle It was a puzzle in the spring but a glorious bed of colours by the summer. It was indeed a puzzle why an extensive area of managed grass in the suburbs of Troon in Ayrshire had been given a makeover – as if the turf had been cut and dissected. Was this… Continue reading Wildflower Meadow

All About Piers

On relocating close to the Clyde Coast, it was an obvious observation that various piers that had in years past assisted in the transport between destinations had been of late sadly neglected. The first encounter with a dysfunctional pier was at Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae in 2021. The pier was essentially sound but… Continue reading All About Piers

The Lodge at Arnisdale

Local Background     The visitor is drawn to the area around Glenelg, on the shores of Kyle Rhea Narrows  opposite the Isle of Skye, perhaps to become familiar with the landscapes associated with Gavin Maxwell, author of a clutch of titles including  the famous ‘Ring of Bright Water’.  The location described as Camusfearna by Maxwell… Continue reading The Lodge at Arnisdale