This story was published in the Scottish Book Trust's Treasures short story collection in November 2013. I also read it out live and chatted about it on Janice Forsyth's Culture Studio on BBC Radio Scotland in June 2013. Of all the things I’ve ever lost, it’s still the one thing I miss the most ... I…
Author: dearscotia
Why I Love The Dark …
And so friends, December 1st hath arrived, the glistening, white frost is making us have to defrost our cars in the mornings and winter is upon us once more. Time to hibernate. I, like so many are inclined to do just that usually, but recently I've taken to heading out more during these slower, shorter…
Auntie June’s Scottish Tablet
If an authentic taste of Scotland is one you're after, then look no further than tablet. It's the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon cup of tea or coffee with a good book. My Auntie June's tablet is legend in our family and I swear it's the best version you'll ever taste. We're talking melt-in-the-mouth, crumbly…
An Adventure In Time Travel – Culross, Fife
Wandering the pretty, cobbled streets of Culross (pronounced Coo-riss) is a beguiling experience. As you explore the picturesque wynds with their chocolate box pretty houses, you'd be forgiven for thinking that you were on a film set. And well ... you'd be right! For this gorgeous, 16th century heritage site has taken on a starring…
Continue reading ➞ An Adventure In Time Travel – Culross, Fife
The Hidden Glen – Glen Lyon, Perth and Kinross
Glen Lyon is located right in the very heart of Scotland, but is often overlooked by visitors to these shores in favour of the more famous Great Glen and Glen Coe. You need to know about this place though as it's an area of awe-inspiring beauty, romance and grandeur. A drive along its 32 mile…
Continue reading ➞ The Hidden Glen – Glen Lyon, Perth and Kinross
Something Wicked This Way Comes … Yester Castle and The Goblin Ha’
Do you have a penchant for the dark side of history? Do you love nothing more than giving yourself the shivers? Well, places to indulge your love of all things spooky don’t come any better than Yester Castle in East Lothian. This 13th Century ruin located just outside of the pretty town of Gifford is…
Continue reading ➞ Something Wicked This Way Comes … Yester Castle and The Goblin Ha’
Magical Sands – Oldshoremore Beach, Sutherland
For my next blog entry I would like to wheech you all the way up to my favourite part of Scotland, Sutherland and to my favourite beach, Oldshoremore (Am Meallach: the little hill, in Gaelic). As well as being absolutely stunning, there's just something deeply spiritual about this place. The panorama you take in from…
Continue reading ➞ Magical Sands – Oldshoremore Beach, Sutherland
A Border Crossing
The other day I went for a drive down to the Berwickshire coast and walked the path near Burnmouth down to the border with England. I find our erratic border with our neighbours endlessly fascinating. If you look at any map of the two countries, it's a crazy Etch A Sketch of a frontier that…