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" ... man to man, the world ower,
Shall brothers be, for a' that."
Robert Burns
I keep the words of Robert Burns at the top of this section. They NEVER cease to be relevant.
Arrogance, ignorance and greed continue to take precedence over the voice of reason. The blinkered vision of too many self-righteous, xenophobic egotists
continues to drag humanity and this planet in the direction of the abyss. We are fast approaching the brink.
Call out these bullies and dictators for what they are, whoever they are and wherever they are.
2026
October arrived quite gently, but the temperatures are now beginning to fall, "A nip is in the air", as they say.
Another Brown Trout season has ended (but in Scotland, fishing for other species may continue).
A fine October day on Loch Skiach
September, and most of the country has been rehydrated after the long spell of very warm, rainless weather.
Unusual sighting on the 2nd of the month - a Swift, flying with a group of Sand Martins. ("Our" swifts are normally headed back to Africa by mid-August.)
I'm sad to say that my friend for over 50 years, Hugh Goring, is closing his gallery and framing business in Perth. It's a business he, along with his wife Julie, built from nothing into a much loved hub for artists. Its closure will leave a huge gap in Perth. But I wish them a long and happy retirement. Well earned!
Spent a week in Assynt in West Sutherland. Dreadful weather (horizontal rain) apart from one day, which was absolutely glorious, with warm sunshine and a gentle breeze. Fished Drumbeg Loch (one of my favourite lochs) and had 6 brown trout - all released.
Brown Trout from Loch Drumbeg. Both of these fish are the same species, but their markings are so different!
Frames Gallery in Perth
August, and while the heatwave continues down south, cloudy skies and rain have made a welcome return to Scotland.
Our Swifts have departed after their 3-month stay. Always sad to see them go.
Very warm weather continued throughout July, with temperatures in the high 20s Celsius. The ground was parched and there were some serious wildfires, including one near Nethybridge, in the Cairngorms.
Wildflowers appear to have been doing well this year, but sadly not so the butterflies.
Feverfew (Tancetum parthenium)
June has been fairly cool so far, with cloudy skies and rain. Scotland played - and won! - their first match in their first World Cup (football aka soccer) finals in 28 years! Unfortunately, they lost their second match. Let's hope the game against Brazil goes Scotland's way! (Alas, it wasn't to be! Well done Spain!)
Unfortunately, no Isle of May trip for me this year. Problems with my right knee would make clifftop walks a bit dodgy, to say the least! I will miss my week on this magical island, with the Puffins, and all the other islanders!
Some very sad news in May - Aonghas Grant, the left-handed fiddler of Lochaber, passed away at home last weekend. He was 94 years old.
His funeral was on Saturday 30th May. I was terribly disappointed that I couldn't be there. Theresa underwent surgery the previous day (a minor op.) and was temporarily unable to use her left hand. And she is left-handed.
But every day when walking the dogs, this stick goes with me. It was a gift from Aonghas when I was visiting a few years ago. I will miss my old friend very much.
Aonghas Grant playing in the Taybank, Dunkeld, during the 2011 Niel Gow Festival
May has arrived and so many spring flowers are now in bloom. The picture show Garlic Mustard, sometimes called Jack by the Hedge. It is a common but very pretty flower of the hedgerows. It's pungent, garlic odour suggests a link to wild garlic and the onion family (the Alliums). In fact, it belongs to the cabbage family (Brassicas).
May 8th - Happy Birthday and a huge THANK YOU David Attenborough.
Tranquility on Butterstone Loch.
April is proving true to form, with sunshine and showers and, for much of the time, a chilly breeze. The rapid succession of Spring flowers is great to see, Bumble Bees are on the wing, and I saw my first butterfly of the year (a Comma). Sand Martins have returned and I saw a wee group of swallows on the 10th. And the Ospreys are back at Loch of the Lowes.
I was very sorry to hear that an old friend from Dunfermline, Dougie Allan, has passed away. Doug (pronounced "Dug") was 4 years my senior. He had fiddle lessons from Harry Grant, my old teacher. After studying Marine Biology at Stirling University, he went on to become a celebrated wildlife photographer, specialising in underwater and extremely cold locations! He had a fabulous life, one which made a difference to many people, and to the natural world. He will be missed.
Another great weekend of music - and sunshine!!
The start of the Niel Gow Walk 2026
March has brought with it some fine, Spring-like weather, with fluffy clouds and blue skies. The aconites have bloomed and receded, as have the snowdrops, but the blooms of Daffodils are now brightening the landscape.
Another Niel Gow Festival is here, and the Trout Season is open!
Sad news this month, with the passing of James Hunter (The Fiddle Music of Scotland, Mr Menuhin's Visit to Blair Castle etc).
February sunshine, River Tummel
After a January which was the wettest and most dreich I can remember, February continued in much the same vein until, mid-month, high prssure replaced the depression and cold, sunny weather replaced the grey! And the Oystercatchers have returned to the river. Lovely to hear them calling.
January walkies for Fin & Logie
My niece Fiona beside a tree felled by beavers (River Tummel in the background)
It was a huge relief to say goodbye to sciatica in December. What a painful condition it is. I'm still not 100% fit and dogs walked much less than usual.
Played two very nice gigs with Muriel Johnstone, one at Bowden in the Borders and one in Blair Atholl. What a joy!
A visit from one of my Australian nieces and her daughter coincided with a busy spell recording and filming for Blood of My Blood (the prequel to Outlander).
And then a big birthday for yours truly.
Time for a rest!
Two special friends at the Highland Chocolatier in Grandtully - my old friend Adam Winski AND his mum (97 years old!!). Lovely to see them.
Spectacular sky at dawn, 13th December 2025
The short daylight hours of November, combined with some very dreich weather, can be a bit depressing. But it is also a month of fabulous colours in the woodlands and some great sunsets!
High pressure moved in at the end of the month, and we had some frosts. (And less mud on the dogs after walkies!)
Mid-October and, in Perthshire, the beautiful autumnal weather continues. Rutting stags on the hill across the river are in fine voice in the darkness.
Alas, my hopes for a few days late-season fishing were scuppered by a bout of sciatica. Ouch!
Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)
FIDDLE FOR SALE
My friend Gavin is selling his late father's fiddle. It was made by Thomas Hardie, son of Matthew, the "Scottish Strdivari". It is with Tim and Helen Wright in their Edinburgh shop. Here's a link to more information:
https://www.wrightviolins.com/violin-by-thomas-hardie-for-sale
Nicky Gregson, one of my September students, has written a book about Dave Mann and his violin shop in Hexham, Northumberland.
NB I DON'T have copies available! If interested, the book is available from Hexham Violin Shop,
27 Hencotes,
Hexham
NE46 2EQ
or on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Violin-Shop-Nicky-Gregson/dp/B0D6CFJ2VP
Loch Stack (Arkle in the background), Sutherland
Hoverfly on Hosta (Outside St Leonard's while I was awaiting the class)
The Caledonian Canal and a clear view of Ben Nevis!
Sea Campion on the Isle of May (the Main Light in the background)
Fin & Logie
Fin
Released in November 2024 - An album of tunes celebrating 100 years of the RSCDS Edinburgh Branch.
A new tune book was launched at the Niel Gow Festival 2024! Most of the tunes were specially composed for the book but this collection does of course include a few by the Gows.
To order a copy please visit the Niel Gow Festival web site.
Books are £15.00 + p&p
(p&p to the US is £15.00).
Print