Category Archives: Culture
Resilient Land 1 – Peat bogs
This is the first in a series of themed posts in which I set out a new policy framework for how we use land in the Highlands of Scotland. The first ecosystem I want to highlight is our boglands, which
Resilient Land 1 – Peat bogs
This is the first in a series of themed posts in which I set out a new policy framework for how we use land in the Highlands of Scotland. The first ecosystem I want to highlight is our boglands, which
Hinterland
Hinterland is originally a German word meaning “beyond land” and was first used to describe the land on the edge of a port. It has subsequently evolved and is often now used metaphorically, referring to that which is outside the
Hinterland
Hinterland is originally a German word meaning “beyond land” and was first used to describe the land on the edge of a port. It has subsequently evolved and is often now used metaphorically, referring to that which is outside the
Scottish Centre for Geopoetics
A couple of years ago a friend of mine introduced me to the Scottish Centre for Geopoetics, part of an international institute begun by the Scottish poet and thinker Kenneth White. I quote from its website: “It seeks a new
Scottish Centre for Geopoetics
A couple of years ago a friend of mine introduced me to the Scottish Centre for Geopoetics, part of an international institute begun by the Scottish poet and thinker Kenneth White. I quote from its website: “It seeks a new
On the Deep Wealth of this Nation
Newton Harrison is an artist practising in California. Recently he responded to a request from the Barn Arts centre, Aberdeenshire, to produce a work on the Don and Dee catchments where the Barn is located. He flew over the catchments
On the Deep Wealth of this Nation
Newton Harrison is an artist practising in California. Recently he responded to a request from the Barn Arts centre, Aberdeenshire, to produce a work on the Don and Dee catchments where the Barn is located. He flew over the catchments
Firth of Lorn
I was talking to Carina (my partner) about how the various Firths of Scotland form natural regions, and she suggested an area I hadn’t thought big enough: The Firth of Lorn. Today we were on Gigha and my old friend
Firth of Lorn
I was talking to Carina (my partner) about how the various Firths of Scotland form natural regions, and she suggested an area I hadn’t thought big enough: The Firth of Lorn. Today we were on Gigha and my old friend
Mapping the Clyde bioregion
It’s not possible to encapsulate a bioregion in a single map. In 2015 McCloskey created one for “Cascadia”, the name given to the huge bioregion of a mighty part of the western seaboard of the USA and Canada. However, in
Mapping the Clyde bioregion
It’s not possible to encapsulate a bioregion in a single map. In 2015 McCloskey created one for “Cascadia”, the name given to the huge bioregion of a mighty part of the western seaboard of the USA and Canada. However, in
Scottish bioregions
I have had a go at mapping Scotland’s bioregions. Certain regions have longstanding historical and cultural associations eg. The Lothians, Moray and Fife. Others are archipelagos: the Orkneys, Shetlands and Hebrides. I see these island groupings as a key pattern,
Scottish bioregions
I have had a go at mapping Scotland’s bioregions. Certain regions have longstanding historical and cultural associations eg. The Lothians, Moray and Fife. Others are archipelagos: the Orkneys, Shetlands and Hebrides. I see these island groupings as a key pattern,
Woodland skills: helping rural enterprise
A group of us in Kintyre are in the process of setting up a social enterprise offering skills to create sustainable livelihoods in remote rural settings like the western seaboard of Scotland. Our first training is on the removal of
Woodland skills: helping rural enterprise
A group of us in Kintyre are in the process of setting up a social enterprise offering skills to create sustainable livelihoods in remote rural settings like the western seaboard of Scotland. Our first training is on the removal of
Ardpatrick: snapshot of rural depopulation
Ferry Wood is located on the Ardpatrick Estate, part of Ardpatrick township. In former days it was connected by sea: the name “Ferry Wood” is given to it by dint of it being at one end of a ferry route
Ardpatrick: snapshot of rural depopulation
Ferry Wood is located on the Ardpatrick Estate, part of Ardpatrick township. In former days it was connected by sea: the name “Ferry Wood” is given to it by dint of it being at one end of a ferry route
Ferry Wood – Celtic rainforest fragment
Thanks to Ben Mitchell (seen here in a sea of garlic) for taking amazing images of the flora, fungi and slime moulds to be found in Ferry Wood. Also thanks to Stan, Ndurie and Carl for compiling plant lists for
Ferry Wood – Celtic rainforest fragment
Thanks to Ben Mitchell (seen here in a sea of garlic) for taking amazing images of the flora, fungi and slime moulds to be found in Ferry Wood. Also thanks to Stan, Ndurie and Carl for compiling plant lists for
bioregioning 