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Memento Mori
What do a spade, an hour glass, a candle and a chess piece have in common? Any devotee of 17th century churches will know the answer – they are all symbols of mortality that appear frequently on...
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Four Squares of Fudge and a Bonny Plate
I had lived in Quoyloo for about three weeks before the knock came at the door. As it happened I was out at fiddle practice, so I didn’t speak to the lady herself, but when I got home Mr Dragon told...
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Danger in the Jungle….
Mr Dragon and I met a nice lass from BBC Radio Scotland at the weekend. We were chatting about oral history, the memories of the older generation, and specific reminiscences to do with the war. She...
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Take a Seat - the Orkney Chair
There are several things believed to be unique to Orkney. Microtus arvalis orcadensis is one of them, but that blog will have to wait for another day. The chair is another, although I have no doubt...
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The Stone of Destiny - a personal recollection
If you are Scottish, there is a chance you might know about the Stone of Scone. If you are not, then you may not be aware of the cultural significance of this lump of rock – a significance signposted...
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Michael and Eric
I learnt an excellent fact today. I was thumbing through a terrific little book called ‘How to Read a Church’ (which accompanied a TV series that I missed completely) and came upon a section all about...
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Mastering the Monkey Puzzle
The Reverend John Graham A few weeks ago a gentle, retired Church of England vicar called John Galbraith Graham revealed that he had terminal cancer of the oesophagus. Graham is in his 90s and by...
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Nine Reasons You Need Christmas
For people who are Christians, the clue is in the name; and name aside, the great mid-winter festival could apply to any of the world’s faiths/belief systems. But what about those of us who are at the...
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It’s a Miracle or My Eyes! My eyes!
I am not a patient patient. I hate getting ill, and get very cross with my body for defying my mind and giving in to weakness. However, it happens (very) occasionally and I try not to bore other people...
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Memento Mori - Part II
I know I am not the only person who enjoys walking round graveyards. Hours can go by whilst I wander happily amongst broken columns and ivy-clad memorials. Here are whole family plots, charting a...
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