Colin
Colin, your daughter recalls how principled you were before your untimely death. I retrace your footsteps in revealing the wonder of Scotland’s architecture. And now, I am the principled bugger. … Continue reading Colin
Tag: Architecture
Argyll
I was most fortunate that throughout my childhood I was able to spend the summer months in Argyll. My uncle, John Gibson Scott, had a cottage high above the shores … Continue reading Argyll
“An atmosphere of calm boredom”
For my birthday my wife bought me the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire edition of the “Buildings of Scotland”. I was interested to come across this description of Carstairs State Hospital: In … Continue reading “An atmosphere of calm boredom”
S H A D O W S
This post is based on a feature in today’s Scottish Life about Dr Robert Blomfield.
A whole Gothic world had come to an end
Patrick Allan-Fraser of Hospitalfield, Arbroath, had this mortuary chapel and mausoleum built as a memorial to his wife Elizabeth following her death in 1873. I visited it with my wife … Continue reading A whole Gothic world had come to an end
Life outside – the start of
Avondale House, by Polmont:
A handful of dust
A few selected quotes from “A Handful of Dust’ by Evelyn Waugh:
The funeral took place in radiant sunshine
Auchengray House has been a ruined shell since a catastrophic fire in 1937. At the time all was going horribly wrong for the multi-millionaire owner, J M Colville. Not only … Continue reading The funeral took place in radiant sunshine
To restore the innocent eye
This film is based upon the meeting held at Edinburgh’s Old Royal High School on the 29th May 2016. The meeting was entitled “Traditionalism: Edinburgh’s dilemma”
The Blue Afternoon
I have just read this novel by William Boyd. It reminds me of “In another light” by Andrew Greig. Quotes selected by Peter from “The Blue Afternoon” by William … Continue reading The Blue Afternoon
Driving the wrong way through history
Mr Magoo and Brideshead Revisited: now that is a strange combination! Almost as mad as myopia and dynamite when put together! This film is about Charles Brand Ltd, Dundee. This company … Continue reading Driving the wrong way through history
Omphalos
A film about McCaig’s unfinished tower above Oban: a “southern elsewhere” that has become iconic for Oban. Omphalos from omphalos This film explores identity: small “I” and big “I”. The film also explores … Continue reading Omphalos