I recently came across this delightful map of Hawkhill and its observatory. Before it was demolished this Georgian villa used to neighbour Holyrood Palace, just below Salisbury crags. The title … Continue reading “The MOCK DOCTOR, not acted before this season”
William Delacour (also known as William Delacourt or William De la Cour) was a French painter. He settled in Edinburgh in March 1760 and, in Edinburgh, was appointed the first … Continue reading A forgotten artist
I am collecting material for a film on Hawkhill, Leith, Edinburgh. This Villa, designed by John Adam, was demolished in 1971.
Today, I was [again] humbled by [another] happenstance reminder of how little I really know about the world that surrounds me! This reminder happened in the natural course of the … Continue reading ‘Nature’s Fashionable Lounge’
What follows are a few extracts from ‘A Life Revisited’ by Philip Eade, which is a marvellous account of the life of Evelyn Waugh:
A few photographs from yesterday . . .
I wrote this book about Mavisbank over a decade ago. My book was a good effort but needed a better ending: Opening Chapter of ‘Repeats its Love’ Ventures into our … Continue reading Mavisbank
Last night, at the University of Glasgow, I attended the book launch of “Oor Big Braw Cosmos”. It was written by John C Brown, Astronomer Royal for Scotland, and Rab … Continue reading Oor Big Braw Cosmos
I would suggest that these hints matter today as much as any time in history:
So you think you know what it is to be Scottish? Well, read ‘Hame’ by Annalena MacAfee. It is a lovely book. This is my “Review”:
Mavisbank: Hatton House: Gladney House: Temple of Decision: Gartincaber: Rossie Castle: Auchtavan, Glen Fearder: Barnbarroch House: Meigle steading: Jerah: Straid, Comrie: Bishopfauld, Comrie: Edmonstone Estate, Edinburgh: Amisfield Estate: Kennetpans: The … Continue reading Ruins: by a ‘modern ruin’
The following poem by Leonard Cohen reminded me of a film that I made for my friend David Humes Harrowes and his partner Jenny. The film below is about singing … Continue reading You’d sing too