Posts Tagged: Permaculture

Spirals on the beach
A few weeks ago Carina and I were walking along the beach near Muasdale when we met up with a local aquaintance, who was delighted to tell us he’d seen a rock uncovered by the tide with spirals carved into

Spirals on the beach
A few weeks ago Carina and I were walking along the beach near Muasdale when we met up with a local aquaintance, who was delighted to tell us he’d seen a rock uncovered by the tide with spirals carved into

Rock Art: Ancient acts of bioregioning
Here is one of the many ancient rock carvings found around the Kintyre peninsula. Some archaeologists think that they are located at transition points between lowland and upland, perhaps as waymarkers at what were then regarded as liminal spaces (more

Rock Art: Ancient acts of bioregioning
Here is one of the many ancient rock carvings found around the Kintyre peninsula. Some archaeologists think that they are located at transition points between lowland and upland, perhaps as waymarkers at what were then regarded as liminal spaces (more

RL4 – Bracken
Bracken is abundant in the Highlands. It is seen as a scourge, since sheep, cattle and horses won’t eat it. Let’s look at the ecological niche it naturally occupies. Surprisingly perhaps, it is a woodland plant, yet can only grow

RL4 – Bracken
Bracken is abundant in the Highlands. It is seen as a scourge, since sheep, cattle and horses won’t eat it. Let’s look at the ecological niche it naturally occupies. Surprisingly perhaps, it is a woodland plant, yet can only grow

Exploitation: an Elephant in the Room
A lot has been said about the Climate Change being “the elephant in the room.” It’s the topic that lies behind everything spoken, but is invisible; not talked about despite being so important. Well, hopefully the Paris Agreement has changed

Exploitation: an Elephant in the Room
A lot has been said about the Climate Change being “the elephant in the room.” It’s the topic that lies behind everything spoken, but is invisible; not talked about despite being so important. Well, hopefully the Paris Agreement has changed

Gardening, reasoning and feeling compassion
I recently read something by the great science fiction writer Ursula K Le Guin, writing in the Guardian review. She said: “The idea, so powerful in 2oth Century literature, that the slow processes of creation are less interesting, less real,

Gardening, reasoning and feeling compassion
I recently read something by the great science fiction writer Ursula K Le Guin, writing in the Guardian review. She said: “The idea, so powerful in 2oth Century literature, that the slow processes of creation are less interesting, less real,

Community gardening: urban bioregioning
Before moving to Argyll I lived and worked in Newcastle. Recently I was at the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Scotswood Community Garden which I started up back in 1995 and helped develop during its formative first five years. Community

Community gardening: urban bioregioning
Before moving to Argyll I lived and worked in Newcastle. Recently I was at the 20th anniversary celebrations of the Scotswood Community Garden which I started up back in 1995 and helped develop during its formative first five years. Community

Transition Kintyre begins
Transition Kintyre was born last Sunday at the Christmas Market in the Malt Barn, Campbeltown. We had two stalls at the event, showing films of inspiring projects and selling local produce in the form of cheese, oatcakes, chutneys, jams and

Transition Kintyre begins
Transition Kintyre was born last Sunday at the Christmas Market in the Malt Barn, Campbeltown. We had two stalls at the event, showing films of inspiring projects and selling local produce in the form of cheese, oatcakes, chutneys, jams and

The art of participatory leadership
I was at the first Scottish Rural Parliament in Oban last month. 400 folk from across the rural regions, each one with their own unique set of expectations. Many workshops held, many presentations given, more than 1,000 ideas generated.

The art of participatory leadership
I was at the first Scottish Rural Parliament in Oban last month. 400 folk from across the rural regions, each one with their own unique set of expectations. Many workshops held, many presentations given, more than 1,000 ideas generated.

To The Lighthouse
I have just been listening to a new adaption of “To The Lighthouse”, Virginia Woolf’s famous modernist novel of 1927 set on the Isle of Skye. The west coast of Scotland comprises a number of bioregions which share similar characteristics.

To The Lighthouse
I have just been listening to a new adaption of “To The Lighthouse”, Virginia Woolf’s famous modernist novel of 1927 set on the Isle of Skye. The west coast of Scotland comprises a number of bioregions which share similar characteristics.
Transhumance – Scottish return?
Will transhumance ever return to the Scottish Highlands? Since moving to Argyll 13 years ago I have been learning about the biocultural heritage of my region. Around me in Kintyre are the remains of old shielings. They are marked on
Transhumance – Scottish return?
Will transhumance ever return to the Scottish Highlands? Since moving to Argyll 13 years ago I have been learning about the biocultural heritage of my region. Around me in Kintyre are the remains of old shielings. They are marked on