Dun Na Cuaiche Watchtower sits above Inveraray castle on a hill overlooking Loch Fyne. I had driven past it so many times and, over New Year, I finally decided to do the walk up there. It was a cold but clear day as I set off with my packed lunch in a rucksack and plenty of layers on. It begins with a walk skirting beautiful Inveraray Castle, across Frew's bridge and into the woods. The view of the watchtower from Frew's bridge was the last time I could see the tower until I

As the days begin to get longer, thousands gather across Scotland and Ireland to celebrate the return of the light after a long, dark winter. The Gaelic festival of Imbolc is one of the earliest festivals celebrating the start of spring.  The word Imbolc translates as  “in the belly” in Old Irish, as Imbolc is a celebration of fertility and purification, both in humans and in nature, as spring begins to make itself known. Held on February 1st, between the winter  solstice  (Y

I’m taking this month to recharge after the holidays by doing very little to write about, so I thought I'd share my reflections on a question I saw on social media today: "If you lost your memory and had to choose one person to tell you who you were, who would you choose?" The realization hit me instantly, followed by my weekly "little cry." The only person who truly knew me is gone. John was my constant companion, my confidant, the one who understood my quirks, fears, and dr

There has been so much going on around me in preparation for Christmas and I've been able to get involved in quite a bit too. The Scottish country dance class had a christmas party, with dancing, a buffet and secret Santa too. Everyone took some food and one gift and we all enjoyed a chat over delicious nibbles and received a lucky dip gift too. Lovely. The rowers also took the skiff out on the Saturday before Christmas, as usual. We all wore Santa hats and enjoyed a very cho