The Anderson, Fortrose, has a prominant position on the High Street in the town and can’t be missed on the drive through. On our recent holiday, which included a stopover in The Black Isle to visit Baby Bomber’s family, we dined in The Whisky Room of The Anderson. The decor has been described in otherContinue reading “Dinner and Lunch: Two locations.”
Author Archives: capndarcy
Eriskay and the S.S. Politician
The Outer Hebrides have benefitted in recent years from the connection of several of the islands by causways allowing easy travel between them. It is now possible to visit ten islands from Vatersay in the south to Lewis in the north via two ferries and six causeways. I first visited these wonderful islands five yearsContinue reading “Eriskay and the S.S. Politician”
Staycation
Apparently the word ‘Staycation’ entered the lexicon of English words in the early 2000s to mean a holiday (vacation) spent at or near one’s home. In reality it has come to mean a holiday in one’s own country but given that some countries are vastly bigger than others a Staycation in The United States ofContinue reading “Staycation”
Developing Green Fingers.
I recently took up gardening. Mum was a great gardener, growing most of her own vegetables: potatoes, cabbages, turnips, onions, carrots, anything and everything really. And she was successful. I had often thought to emulate her but had never had the time nor, if I am honest, the inclination to do so until recently. WeContinue reading “Developing Green Fingers.”
Two Entertainments in One.
It has been a few years since I have enjoyed so many evenings out to enjoy the theatre, live music and exhibitions. Busy schedules and then the pandemic conspired to keep us away from the cultural highlights in the city and surrounding area but we seem, in recent months, to have begun to make upContinue reading “Two Entertainments in One.”
A Family Remembrance.
On 21 March 1918, Private 242167 was retreating with the 5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders along the Cambrai Road when he was fatally wounded and left to die in a shell hole. His name was Edward Brass Moar, a young man, only 21 years old, from a wee croft on Orkney. He was my great uncle.Continue reading “A Family Remembrance.”
And so it Continues
TW: Rape, sexual assault On a Sunday evening in mid April, 1728, Margaret Watt, a young Aberdeenshire woman, was walking to the town of Kintore when she was assaulted and raped by John Brown. We know this because she reported it the following week to the local Kirk Session in Kintore.* The minister asked herContinue reading “And so it Continues”
Lord Emsworth and Marxism.
I have, over the years, amassed a large library of audiobooks. Like my physical book collection it has somewhat overtaken my ability to keep up with it. However, I recently began to make inroads in my audiobook tsundoku- do the Japanese have a word for the digital equivalent of a pile of unread books? –Continue reading “Lord Emsworth and Marxism.”
Vivienne Westwood
There are not many celebrities whose passing creates a sadness that is normally reserved for those one knows personally. John Lennon’s untimely death hurt as did Peter Sellars and Eric Morcambe. I valued their talent and mourned its loss. In the final days of 2022 I have been moved by the death of John Bird,Continue reading “Vivienne Westwood”
The Power of Good Television
Recently I have found I want to watch less and less television. The old adage of ’57 channels and nothing on’ resonates as true as it ever has. I do love a documentary and a gripping drama or thriller but a lot of the regular shows are repetitive and boring after a couple of episodes.Continue reading “The Power of Good Television”
Significantly Different 