At Lammastide 2015, I was lucky enough to secure a modest rent and a long lease on the field adjoining our house in south west Scotland. I set about planting trees, initially in circles and later, linking them together with mown paths. One circle consisted of fairly closely planted hornbeams. My idea was to createContinue reading “Encountering labyrinths”
Author Archives: David Graham Clark
Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 7: Lament for Sarah
His grant application complete, Michael goes camping near Kirkcudbright and thinks he might have bumped into the art robbers. Andrew is facing the first anniversary of Sarah’s death and talks at length to Anne-Marie about the whole story. DC Harris has a disarming conversation with Machars Gordon that chimes with a mysterious camper van, leftContinue reading “Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 7: Lament for Sarah”
Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 6: June Stolen Books
The month opens with news of a second robbery. This time it’s rare antiquarian books that have been stolen from a private collection in Galloway. Andrew’s interest is soon piqued, but he is unaware that the thieves are already goading the beleaguered DC Harris, who now has a another case on his hands, but littleContinue reading “Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 6: June Stolen Books”
Growing garlic
Over the years I have grown leeks, onions, shallots, alliums and chives but it is only recently that I have started to cultivate another member of that bulbous and pungent family. Like so many things, it started with Gardener’s World on the BBC and a demonstration of how to grow this nowadays ubiquitous kitchen necessity:Continue reading “Growing garlic”
Garden exotica
I readily admit that I am no plantsman. I’m simply an untutored gardener who frequently struggles to remember Latin names, or even many of the common ones. In general my approach to the garden is to create an emotional effect that stirs the spirit. I’m interested in the full symphony rather more than its constituentContinue reading “Garden exotica”
Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 5: Spring Fling
Nithsdale is vibrant with Spring at its full height. Andrew keeps up his interest in the local art robbery, though the police investigation appears to have stalled. Anne-Marie and her band have huge success at an arts festival concert, but she upsets Caitlin and her own mother by making plans to spend a weekend withContinue reading “Epiphanies and Robberies Chapter 5: Spring Fling”
Meconopsis magic
The Himalayan Blue Poppy, Meconopsis, has a special place in my gardening affections. In years past I sometimes bought them at the garden centre. Alive, vigorous and ready to flower at the time of purchase, in the autumn they would disappear into the ground, never to return. In retrospect I think they were planted inContinue reading “Meconopsis magic”
The Infinity Pool
The pool sits high above the loch. Find the correct vantage point and the two waters merge into one. On the far side, pebbly beaches, scrubby woodland, and low hills. Above them, long wisps of white cirrus that streak the cobalt blue sky. It’s a luminous May afternoon in Argyll and the holiday weekend isContinue reading “The Infinity Pool”
The Camassia: from Pacific North West to Scottish South West
As a student of anthropology in the early 1970s, I still remember some classes we had on the phenomenon known as Potlatch. Part of the culture of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific North West, it relates to large gatherings in which alongside story telling and feasting, a special emphasis is placed on the conspicuousContinue reading “The Camassia: from Pacific North West to Scottish South West”
What’s in a place-name? An interview with Colin Mackenzie
This latest interview in my series about creative and inspiring people living in Dumfries and Galloway, is someone I have never met. Indeed, when I contacted him earlier this year, he informed me that he was about to leave his home region and relocate to Orkney. So I’m looking forward to meeting with him inContinue reading “What’s in a place-name? An interview with Colin Mackenzie”
Quotidian 