Scourie Bay, North West Coast of Scotland
Its Monday once again…. I still haven’t worked out just were the days of the week vanish too.
Moody or not….
Please Remember ….
Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other
10th May
(C) David Oakes 2021
Category Archives: Scotland
Silent Sunday…. Jedburgh Abbey
The River Jed Water flows below the ruins of Jedburgh Abbey. The Abbey itself stands in the middle of the Scottish Border town of the same name. Jedburgh Abbey is one of a ring of Abbey’s to be found in this Border region close to the English Northumberland Border.
This Augustinian Monastery was founded in the early 14th century. Prospered then its fortunes waned. But its downfall was more due to violence that swept this Border area in the late 1400’s and early 1500’s, eventually it was the Scottish Reformation’s of 1544 that was to be the final blow.
Today we are left with, what to me is, one of the most dramatic Abbey ruins. Its shear size only becomes apparent when you walk through the remains of the West Door with its intricated carved stonework…
Then, on entering the nave, the shear height of the multi-columned walls leading to an arched Tower in the east, suddenly becomes a dramatic reality….
It is always hard to visualise the skills of the architects and stone masons of those times, who carved and built these sculptured column’s and arches…. but it is also so hard to visualise the way of life for the Religious Order the lived and worshiped within the Abbey and its attached community.
At last we can admire the legacy that still stands the test of time.
Wherever you are this Sunday….
Please Remember ….
Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other
9th May
(C) David Oakes 2021
Spring in the Trossachs……
Loch Earn, Perthshire, Scotland.
Loch Earn is just one of many Lochs in the area of Scotland known as the Trossachs. As I understand it the name Trossachs is derived from the description of a wooded glen. But the name is now used to describe this region of mountain, river, lochs and wooded glens, that lies above the Glasgow industrial belt and below the northern Highlands.
Often described as Scotland in miniature. An area much loved by Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) the Scottish Author of Rob Roy, The Lady of the Lake and Ivanhoe fame. Scott’s writing was, I guess, one of the main catalysts in creating the Trossachs as a Tourist Destination, much loved by Victorian travellers and still as much loved today.
(A quick PS. The above was taken 4 years ago, a typical May day. Today I am told our very strange May weather in 2021 has covered much of this area in Snow – winter seems to be back)
Where ever you are today ….
Please Remember ….
Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other
6th May
(C) David Oakes 2021
Flippant Friday…. What Mother Said
Washing Day at Loch Carron, North West Scotland
It is funny how past generations, their way of life and traditions, still impact on our everyday lives. It may not inspire us to actions but does provoke a thought or a memory.
So, what has washing hanging out on a Scottish Loch shore, got to do with what my Mother used to say.
Well, today is the last day of the April, another month comes to an end. Let me say at this point that my Mum was Scottish, though I am not suggesting that this was/is necessarily a Scottish custom. But Mum would always insist on ensuring that the household washing was done on the last day of the month… “we must start the new month clean” she would say.
Let me also add two further points for clarification. One: The same reasoning applied to Christmas , New Year and Easter. Two: Yes she did wash, as her generation did… every Monday as well. We must have been a very clean house!
April comes to an end. We might well be pondering just where April vanished to, indeed where has the past year gone.
Strange times continue, no doubt in the years to come, we may well be recalling strange and quirky habits, learnt through CV lockdowns and restrictions. Till then…..
Please Remember ….
Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other
30th April
(C) David Oakes 2021
For those who love Lighthouses…
Dunnet Head Lighthouse, High above the Pentland Firth, Scotland
Looks rather idyllic on this visit, but I have not often enjoy such good weather, here at the top of mainland Scotland. Not far from John o’Groats, Dunnet Head lighthouse is just one along this rugged northern coastline.
On the misty horizon can be glimpsed the Orkney Isles.
Just in case your approach to the lighthouse is via the land, rather than passing on the sea’s,
there is a ‘welcome’ sign for Visitors….. if you have travelled this far, you should know where you are 🙂
But just in case….
If you travel by land or sea, please….
Remember ….
Stay Safe …. Be Kind…. Look After Each Other
27th April
(C) David Oakes 2021
