wallpaper
I have been part of several generations to consider our latest wallpaper as the “height of fashion”. I have also lived long enough to find later generations to consider ‘our’ … Continue reading wallpaper
Tag: Walter Scott
the fairm-toun sang
A special person has given me the opportunity to hear a Borders fairm-toun sing. I am going to take my mum with me as the singing begins on the day … Continue reading the fairm-toun sang
Bloody Scotland
Scotland’s International Crime Writing Festival will take place in Stirling between the 20th and 22nd September 2019. Alexander McCall Smith is attending and will be interviewed by Alex Gray:
In search of lost time
A film about Robert Scott, Robert Scott Moncrieff, Walter Scott, Henry Raeburn, Marcel Proust and a left-behind gateway that brings them all to auld Fossoway. This film is for my … Continue reading In search of lost time
Relics from the sanctum sanctorum
Two of the relics exhibited in Edinburgh in October 1871.
That small place in the whole of time
Filmed at Transit House. This film is based on a poem that I recently wrote on the Politician’s clock, in Transit House, Calton Hill Edinburgh. The poem is for Catherine … Continue reading That small place in the whole of time
Sketchbook 3
David Erskine’s (1772-1837) was a dramatist and Antiquary. In the third of his sketchbooks I found his watercolour of the family home ‘Kirkhill’ in Uphall, West Lothian : I once … Continue reading Sketchbook 3
Albyn’s Anthology
This film is about one of Scotland’s smallest islands: Eilean nam Faoileag, Loch Rannoch. This film is dedicated to the Royal Society of Edinburgh On this island is a Folly. … Continue reading Albyn’s Anthology
“When Harry met Mary under the Yew tree”
It has been romantically recalled [in folklore] that Lord Darnley and Mary Queen of Scots were betrothed under an ancient yew tree in the grounds of Crookston Castle, Renfrewshire. This … Continue reading “When Harry met Mary under the Yew tree”
I, Vow Yews
I,Vow is a small island in Loch Lomond containing the remains of a Castle, and several ruins . It is closely wooded and contains a number of Yew trees supposed … Continue reading I, Vow Yews
Magically reaches out . . .
I visited Dalquharron, Ayrshire, on Friday, 18th January 2019. I then made this film. It is for Alexander McCall Smith who some years ago reached out to me. McCall Smith … Continue reading Magically reaches out . . .
The Rebel Antiquary
I write and make films in my study or sanctum sanctorum. This is the comfy domain of ‘The Antiquary’. This film is inspired by others and by their wonder. It … Continue reading The Rebel Antiquary