Collecting the extraordinary and mysterious Unicorns’ horns, mermaids, minerals and fossils, shells, insects in amber, astrolabes, musical instruments, lenses, celestial globes – the cabinet of curiosities was a microcosm of the Renaissance world. It was more than a random display of curios, the personal tastes or wealth of the collector as its contents were arranged
Year of Natural Scotland – Winter Treasure Hunt I have always loved the seaside in winter and on crisp sunny mornings I need no encouragement to abandon the domestic chores and take a walk on Ardivachar beach. Perfect for a solitary meander, watching the wading birds feeding along the tide edge and scanning the horizon
Year of Natural Scotland – Beneath the Waves The wind is rising and the rain is hammering against the window. As high tide approaches the waves are pounding the ancient rocks creating fountains of spray. The grey sea merges with the low cloud, obscuring the horizon in the fading light. The very epitome of a
Now that the vapours of the Hogmanay have cleared we can start celebrating again for 2013 is the Year of Natural Scotland. If you ask anyone about Scotland somewhere in the mix of tartan, bagpipes, whisky and haggis there will be golden eagles, red deer stags, otters, mountains, lochs, glens and heather. There is of
Like languid trapeze artistes the gulls trace celestial arcsas a dying sun tints the clouds with ashes of roses.Effervescent spray breaks over the whale-backed reefas a clowning troupe of ravens tumble earthwardIcarian feathers black as the cold fingers of night.