Category Archives: War

The sea, the sea

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Stromness on Sunday is quiet. Very quiet. In another era one might imagine the whole town to be at prayer. The cobbled main steet is deserted. We glimpse the harbour in splashes of vivid blue at the bottom of wynds … Continue reading

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Fog of war

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It’s been a strange couple of weeks. I know we’re past the equinox, but it feels as if we’re still under its influence. It’s a time of balance between light and darkness, but often also a time of meteorological chaos.  … Continue reading

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Accentuate the positive

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Music is on my mind. Making, not listening. In truth, it’s seldom far away, but right now it’s more than usually present. I’ve spent the morning trying to figure out set lists for a concert in May at our local … Continue reading

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Two writers

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This weekend I’m chairing two events at the Winter Words book festival in Pitlochry. The authors have a couple of things in common. They both come from the Northern Isles, one from Orkney, one from Shetland. And they are both, … Continue reading

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Long walk

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‘Hi Jamie,’ said the message from a friend, ‘a bit out of the blue but if you’re at home there are two Sudanese refugees walking to Birnam today – coming from Land’s End. They’re raising awareness and money for Sudan … Continue reading

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Five ferrets

If I ever saw my grandfather in full naval fig, I don’t remember it. He had retired by the time I was old enough to know him and his admiral’s uniform, dripping in what he referred to as scrambled egg, … Continue reading

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