Jim Malcolm

A flying visit to see Susie’s family in Methlick, Aberdeenshire. Stopped near Stonehaven to take a snap of this monument to Rabbie’s old man who came from the North East, an area extremely rich in folk song. It partly explains how Rabbie’s appeal stretched out far beyond his native Ayrshire to be embraced as our national bard. Notice the different spelling of the surname.

A sign of the times… Many oil rig supply vessels sit idle beyond Aberdeen harbour, as the global collapse in oil prices bites in Scotland’s energy capital.

Morning at Little Ardo where Susie’s family live. The Mountain in the distance is the iconic Bennachie (‘oh gin I were whaur the Gadie rins, at the back o Bennachie..’)

Susie’s sister and brother-in-law breed a small number of these magnificently photogenic and unbelievably tasty beasties. They don’t need much looking after as you’d imagine from their shaggy coats. Thanks to the Purdies and Allans for their usual great hospitality.

This years haul of wild hazelnuts. Nuts are not grown commercially up here in Scotland but you can find some with decent ones growing wild or in planted mixed woodland. They are smaller than the shop bought ones but have a lovely sweet flavour. I have found several good trees along local rivers whilst out fishing. I have always enjoyed gathering wild food as the only things that I’ve been able to grow well in the garden are brambles!

It has been very quiet at home without Beth who has recently started at Glasgow University. We went through to see her yesterday, and she gave us a tour of the splendid and very Hogwartian campus where she is taking her lectures.

Beth was feeling a bit cloistered…

This is where the wizards er lecturers put on their gowns.

Half close your eyes and it could be a Wamping Willow..

A suitable vessel for drowning sorrows after last nights last minute Scottish exit from the European Nations Football Cup. Scotland played really well after a terrible start, but had their hearts broken deep into extra time, when the Poles equalised. They needed to win to have any chance of progressing. So that’s them out yet again. Well at least we’ve got our whisky…

A Watery Saltire, from the Fairy Pools, near the Cuillins on the Isle of Skye. Hopefully to give Scotland inspiration for their must win football match against Poland tomorrow. It has been a while since we have qualified for the final stages of a big footie tournament and its not getting any easier as we get seeded lower and lower. Poland have an in-form striker who has been scoring a frightening number of goals for top German team Bayern Munich. It’s going to be a bumpy ride…