Flowers for Bees

Stunning to see such a beautiful display of flowers for bees and other pollinators in Edinburgh Botanic Gardens recently and to connect with such an amazing green space in the middle of the city. We all felt a weight lift off our shoulders somehow as we stepped through the gates at the entrance.

Planting for bees, Edinburgh Botanic Gardens

The bee meadow up close

 Nature is so powerful and carefully curated spaces such as this make all the difference to city living, helping calm the nervous system and keep that all important deep connection with the earth.

Pond, Edinburgh Botanic Gardens

Stunning Weather!

We have been blessed with the most beautiful weather in recent days here in the heartlands of Scotland. This has persuaded us into one of there local rivers to swim, such a beautiful if chilly experience!

Natural river pool, near our new home

It's also a stunning walk to this large natural pool, with the hawthorn in full bloom and the sun enhancing the scent of the bluebells.

Hawthorn in full bloom on way to pool

Lovely also to see the surrounding hills silhouetted against the deep blue of the sky. Nature at its most glorious

Local hills against the clear blue sky

Glorious Spring

With the celebrations of the Celtic festival of Beltane in recent days and the beautiful sunshine of the last week, our small but beautiful new garden is coming to life. Here in Perthshire many are blessed with the beauty and fecundity of Azaleas and Rhododendrons which really come into their own at this time of year. Although not native to Scotland, most originating in the foothills of the Himalaya and other parts of Asia, they are stunning with their large numbers of huge frothy blooms. Their only downside is that they require careful management to ensure they don’t spread into the wild where their abundant growth can out compete native plants causing local habitat destruction.

Rhodoendron coming into flower in the garden

New Beginnings

I haven’t posted here for a while, as we have been busy with our move south. Now residing in Strathearn, in the heartlands of Scotland we are surrounded by a very different landscape from our time in Orkney. Although we miss the sea at times we are loving the more nurturing landscape of trees, mountains, rivers and lochs. Feeling truly blessed to be living in an area of such outstanding natural beauty.

Meadow, tree and mountain view, Strathearn

Gorgeous Greys!

As we move further into spring here in Orkney, the days are ever lengthening and we are getting the odd glimpse of blue skies and sunshine. Grey skies can be gorgeous here too though. The photo below was taken from the beautiful Brough of Birsay earlier this week.

View south west
from the Brough of Birsay

British Summer Time

 As we enter April 2024, and British Summer Time, it's the start of what I term the 'yellow season' here in Orkney and beyond, as so many both native and introduced species of flowering plants at this time of year are yellow!

Narcissi, Orkney

Gorse, Perthshire, Scotland

Lesser Celandine, Orkney

Sunshine and Showers

Sunshine and showers here in Orkney, as we enter the first days of March. The view from Old Nisthouse is as stunning as ever. It is such a beautiful awe inspiring, ever changing landscape. 

Recent view from Old Nisthouse, here in Orkney