#loch humphrey

[a-book-of-creatures]

Posting this because I reblogged something about Usborne Books and apparently most people seem to associate Usborne with lift-the-flap books for preschoolers.

Which is weird because to me as a child Usborne books were some of the spookiest books I could get my hands on. They filled the same place as Dorling Kindersley - colorful, creative, informative books that were educational as well as fun to read. And their approach to myths and legends was, not going to lie, very formative for me. If it wasnt' for Usborne, there might not have been ABC.

And much like Dorling Kindersley, Usborne went through a phase of extreme creative experimentation before stagnating into safer forms of publishing. But for a while, Usborne books were mindblowing.

So what has Usborne done then that aren't lift-the-flap books for preschoolers? Well, a lot. Puzzle Adventures. Extreme map and code puzzles. How to Draw Books. Cut-out and build houses, Trojan horses, and dinosaurs (by Luis Rey no less). How to Be A Detective. Nature spotter's guides. Nature Search books. Facts and Lists books that instilled cosmic horror in me years before I knew what cosmic horror was. I could go on forever.

There was a series of excellent myths and legends books which I posted about before.

These were illustrated by Rodney Matthews and were every bit as metal as you'd expect from something by Rodney frickin' Matthews.

Then there were the Quest books which were Where's Waldo-esque books that followed a storyline in a fantasy world.

In this case, they showcased lush art by Nick Harris in which you find various items or characters to make the story progress, as well as other random things (find 10 rats, find 8 clownfishes, etc).

The Tabloid Histories books, oh my gosh.

Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Medieval, etc. history told through tabloid articles and ads.

More about monsters though! There were books about folktales and legends illustrated by Stephen Cartwright.

For me it was my first time hearing of a lot of them, such as the Lambton Worm!

The Haunted World, now that was spooky! With lots of colorful, dripping art by Graham Humphreys.

Introduced me to a lot of ghosts, vampires, and monsters from around the world. Such as the story of Arnold Paole!

And there were maps and diagrams...

... and lindorns [sic] and mokele-mbembes!

The Supernatural Guides had denser text but sadly have not been reprinted anytime recently.

The World of the Unknown series, though... ohohoho those were good.

Of course (no offense to fans of ghosts and UFOs), I had eyes only for the Monsters book. With such gems as the Velue...

... the Lambton Worm...

... and cryptozoological rubbish such as the Monongahela sea serpent (below), the Loch Ness Monster, the Abominable Snowman, and their ilk.

You know, the sort of thing that would keep a 7-year-old fascinated (and perhaps scared under the blankets) for weeks.

Anyway, yeah I just really love Usborne books. Or at least what they used to be.

[scotianostra]

Robert the Bruce was born in Turnberry Castle, Ayrshire on 11th July 1274.

Well where do we start with this one? I think the majority of us know about Robert and how he led us to victory at Bannockburn so I will put a bit background together of his immediate family.

His mother Marjorie, Countess of Carrick, I think nowadays the term we would use, and it's quite appropriate , is battle-axe. According to what has been written about her she held his father, Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandaleprisoner until he agreed to marry her, it was through his mother that he drew most of his Scottish ancestry. The marriage must have worked for as well as Robert they had 7 more children.

After the Battle of Methven his wee brother Nigel de Brus was captured at Kildrummy Castle and was taken to Berwick to be hanged, drawn and beheaded for high treason, he was protecting Robert's wife, Elizabeth, his daughter Marjorie, his sisters Christina and Mary Bruce, and Isabella MacDuff, Countess of Buchan and helped them escape, although they were later captured by Balliol's army and handed over to Edward I. Nigel was executed for high treason by being hanged, drawn, and quartered in September 1306 at Berwick-upon-Tweed by the English. Two of his other brothers, Alexander and Thomas were also judicially murdered at Carlisle on Februaey 17th 1307 after being captured at Loch Ryan Galloway in 1207, after landing an invasion force consisting of eighteen galleys trying to take land from Dungal MacDouall, who was a supporter of the Comyns,.

Arguably the most famous of his siblings was Edward Bruce, if you have been paying attention you will remember his part in fighting with Robert at Bannockburn, he later went and fought in Ireland and indeed became King for a short time but lost his life in the Battle of Faughart, the, it's said the victor John de Bermingham then took his head to England to be put on display before Edward II.

Robert's sisters, Christina and Mary, as I said earlier were captured after the siege at Kildrummy, along with Isabella MacDuff, now Isabella crowned the Bruce at Scone, it was tradition that the MacDuffs performed the crowning of Scottish monarchs, Isabella arrived the day after Robert had been crowned but the Bruce agreed to second crowning as otherwise some would see the ceremony as irregular, not being performed by a MacDuff.Isabella was imprisoned in cages for four years of Isabella, Edward Longshanks is said to have commanded "Let her be closely confined in an abode of stone and iron made in the shape of a cross, and let her be hung up out of doors in the open air at Berwick, that both in life and after her death, she may be a spectacle and eternal reproach to travellers."

The sisters faired a wee bit better, Isabel Bruce became Queen of Norway as the wife of King Eric II., so escaped the First War of Scottish Independence. Christina and Mary, also captured after Kildrummy, were sent into solitary confinement at a Gilbertine nunnery at Sixhills in Lincolnshire. Mary Bruce was given the same treatment as Isabella MacDuff, but held at Roxburgh Castle.. The sisters sspent eight years as English prisoners, and returned to Scotland in October 1314 as part of the ransom for the Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford, who was taken prisoner after the Battle of Bannockburn.

There is not a great deal of detail about the other sisters, Margaret married one Sir William de Cairlyle. Lady Elizabeth Bruce married Sir William Dishington of Ardross, in Fife, and finally Matilda, (Maud) Bruce married Hugh 4th Earl of Ross.

Robert was married twice in his life, first to Isabella of Mar, who died in 1296, , with whom he had a daughter Marjorie, from whom the Stewart dynasty was to trace its lineage. His second wife was Elizabeth de Burgh, with whom he had five children – Margaret, Matilda, David, John (who died in infancy) and Elizabeth. His eldest son succeeded his father as King David II of Scotland.

The photo shows Isabella MacDuff and King Robert I in “The Crowning of Bruce” part of an exhibition at Edinburgh Castle.

[pupsmailbox]

do you have any names similar to these? it doesnt have to be all of them, but mainly Edgar, Pierce, Rigorre and Grimm. ive been looking around for some and this'll be great help :)!

Edgar, Grimm, Rigorre, Cain(e), Ozzy/Ozul, Onyx, Dice, Throne, Viper, Vesper, Heron, Nyx, Spector, Harker, Talyn, Dorian, Pierce

some might be closed so make sure to do your own research !! I tried to do most of them but I couldnt find them all / some were filled with closed names!

EDGAR︰ adler. albert. alexander. alfred. alice. archibald. arthur. atlas. august. barnabas. beatrice. benjamin. charles. charlotte. clarence. dior. eddie. eder. edmund. eduard. edward. edwin. edyn. eleanor. elijah. elmer. ember. emerson. emmett. ernest. esther. eugene. evelyn. everett. ezra. felix. ferdinand. finn. franklin. gilbert. harold. harper. hector. henry. humphrey. iris. irving. isaac. jack. jagger. james. jasper. leo. leonard. leopold. noah. oliver. oscar. penelope. rowan. rupert. sebastian. silas. theo. theodore. tiger. vincent. violet. walter. william.

GRIM(M)︰ august. axel. brennon. charlie. dax. dean. declan. delilah. demetri. enver. evangeline. ezra. felicity. finn. foster. fox. gaerwn. garan. garima. garin. garran. garren. garron. geranium. gereon. gerianne. germain. germaine. german. geronimo. gerwin. gianni. giovanni. gordon. goren. graeme. graham. grainne. gram. grannia. granny. green. greyden. grian. griffin. grina. gurnam. gwern. iris. joaquin. jude. kevin. kyra. leah. loki. millie. parker. rain. rogue. sage. silas. spencer. tristan. viktor.

CAINE(E)︰ abel. aidan. aiden. aleks. amelia. amory. andreas. aries. asher. aurora. ava. axel. azriel. bane. bartholomew. bonanza. cade. caden. cael. caiden. cain. caine. cale. caleb. cam. camden. cameo. cammie. camo. cana. canaan. canan. cane. cannan. cano. canyon. carter. case. casey. cash. cassim. cato. cawny. cayden. cayman. ceanna. ceona. chahna. chaim. chan. chana. chance. chaniya. charlotte. chase. chayan. chazmyne. chen. chesmu. chesna. cheyenne. cheyne. chiazam. chima. chimene. chin. china. chione. chosen. chukwuma. chumani. chyna. chynna. cian. cinna. cinnamon. cluny. cohen. cole. conn. connie. conway. cosmo. coyne. craig. cuan. cuno. cwen. côme. d'arcy. dane. dash. declan. dewitt. duran. edelynn. elijah. enoch. evelyn. gabriel. gage. gardeenia. genevieve. grayson. gwendelyn. gyles. hadrian. hesh. iain. icarus. jane. jermyn. kace. kade. kaelynn. kaidan. kaiden. kailyn. kain. kaine. kale. kane. kate. kaydin. kaydon. kayne. kedar. ken. knox. koen. lane. layne. liam. liliela. loch. lucifer. lucy. mattheo. nicollette. raiden. rayne. roddy. romilda. ryder. sawyl. scarlett. shane. thane. tyre. violet. wayne. zain. zaine. zane. zayne.

OZZY / ONYX︰ adi. archie. aria. arlo. asher. aspen. atlas. aurora. autumn. avi. axel. beck. bijoux. blade. bodie. bowie. caelum. cora. cy. daisy. davi. declan. draco. dune. echo. elton. elvis. ember. ezra. ezri. falcon. finn. fleet. garnet. gavin. genevieve. harper. hazel. imre. indigo. ivy. jade. jagger. jasper. jem. jet. jinx. johnny. joplin. josiah. joziah. kai. kaiya. kano. karter. kavi. khari. knox. lennox. leo. luca. luna. lynx. mac. maddox. mazi. mercury. millie. milo. morrissey. neptune. night. nirvana. nixie. nova. nyx. oak. oakes. ocean. ocheckka. ochoa. ohanzee. ojai. ojas. oke. oki. oliver. omega. onika. onix. onnika. onnix. onyekachukwu. onyx. ooko. oonagh. opal. opaline. orion. oscar. oscosh. oshae. osias. osiris. ossie. otto. owen. oyku. oz. ozzie. penelope. penny. peridot. phoenix. quinn. quint. rami. raven. ravi. remi. reno. river. rocky. roux. rowan. sage. salem. santana. sebastian. silas. sophie. storm. sunny. theo. topaz. uziel. violet. willow. wren. wyatt. zaki. zephyr. zeppelin. ziggy.

VESPER / VIPER︰ ace. aeron. akiva. antares. apollo. arcana. archer. asher. atlas. atticus. aurora. calista. callaway. cardin. cash. cason. chai. chancellor. charlotte. cora. cordovan. coriander. corisande. cruz. denarius. draven. elaina. elixir. elowen. elyse. ember. enfys. evangeline. felix. ferelith. finn. genesis. glade. hadley. halcyon. harbor. hazel. ivy. jaguar. journey. kaemon. kailo. kanon. katia. koa. kobe. kodiak. lainey. lazare. legacy. luna. lyra. magic. majesty. mystique. nora. obsidian. ocasio. oceane. oliver. opaline. ophelia. pax. peregrine. phaedra. phoenix. piper. quinn. rasmus. regulus. reverie. rohmer. rowyn. royce. rule. sage. salome. scarlett. sebastian. shyla. silas. sorcha. summer. tatiana. thorin. titan. vale. vallis. vance. varro. vega. velvette. vera. verity. vesper. vespera. violet. viper. von. vyra. wren. xavier. yvaine. zander. zephyr.

DORIAN︰ adrian. adrien. ambrose. amelia. andrea. appoline. arian. armani. asher. audrey. aurora. basil. benno. bloom. cassius. charlotte. cornelius. damian. damien. dante. darcy. darena. darian. dariana. darien. darin. darina. darion. darius. darren. darrin. darrion. darwin. daryan. datherine. davian. davion. dawson. dayaram. declan. derion. deron. derron. derwyn. dharma. dhiren. dominic. doreen. dorin. dorona. dorsey. dreama. dren. drian. duran. durham. durin. emrys. ethan. evander. evelyn. evleen. ezra. florian. gabriel. gilda. gordon. hadrian. heidy. jackie. jordan. julian. korbin. leander. liam. lorcan. lowri. lucian. lysander. marian. marion. mars. morgan. muse. naoma. oberon. oliver. orion. pallas. penelope. peregrine. quianna. rian. sebastian. shawnee. soren. theodore. tori. umber. violet. warren.

PIERCE︰ asher. audrey. ava. beckett. bennett. brooks. callan. charlotte. claire. cole. colton. dean. emerson. emmett. eros. everett. finn. fisher. fitz. flint. foster. gavin. grant. grayson. harper. harrison. hawk. hazel. heath. henry. hiro. hudson. ivy. jack. james. kane. kyra. landon. leo. liam. mason. miles. miller. mira. noah. oliver. olivia. owen. pace. paprika. paras. paresh. paricia. paris. parish. park. parker. parks. pauric. pearce. pearson. peers. percy. perez. perga. perris. perry. perseus. persia. persis. piers. pierson. piroj. porsche. powers. prakash. prayaksh. precia. preciosa. precious. price. prince. prisca. prissy. pryce. pyrrhus. quinn. reese. reeve. reid. rhett. ridge. rowan. sawyer. scarlett. sirius. slater. spencer. theo. theodore. vince. violet. wren. wyatt.

[peppershark]

Behind Wolfer: Ride the Paiute Pass Trail with Tom & Hermione

This post is dedicated to @nofear-x who is ten seconds from jumping onto a chestnut quarter horse (packed with snobby cheese and 10 pounds of bacon) and galloping into the mountains with me.

To write Tom and Hermione's sexy, mariticide-themed honeymoon in the High Sierras, I used a combo of trail guides and Google Earth to pick the most likely path the newlywed Riddles would have taken to get their cows into the mountains.

Wilderness cattle grazing was common during the warmer months, and some ranchers still do it, calving in the valleys during January-February, then running their cattle up the trail into the grassy highlands all summer. In the fall, they round up their cows and drive them into the valley again.

A common path into the backcountry would be the current HWY 168 leading from Bishop up into what is now Aspendell. This green, pretty valley would be an ideal spot for Tom to test out Hermione's bearings in chapter 11, in an area wooded enough to be private but far enough from Bishop so nobody would see what cosmic hell Hermione might call down.

I made this map to show where they went once they saddled up. It would be roughly 6-ish miles to get from the east end of the drainage, up through North Lake and to Loch Leven, where the lovebirds go for a swim in chapter 12.

In chapter 13 they'll make their way over Paiute Pass and into Humphrey's Basin. The whole thing is about 12 miles, which doesn't seem that long, but you gain over 4,000 feet of elevation, bringing you to a cloud-scraping height of 12,000 feet.

This is a strenuous hike, and if you're lucky enough to ride, you might take that steep of a pitch at 2-3 miles per hour. Now, the real-life pack outfitters that go from North Lake to Humphrey's Basin aren't clear online about how long that takes, so I'll guess two and a half days since our kids are running cattle and boning at every stop.

Hop over to Google Earth, and you can actually click on photos that will take you into a "street view" of the Paiute Pass Trail, so you can almost ride it yourself.

Here's a picture of what it looks like when you've activated street view mode. Click the little yellow Tom Riddle.

Tell me if you click through and see these sights!

As always, thank you for reading.

[oh-stars]

Puddles

Prompt

a Stobin Month 2024 prompt | 552 words | CW: N/A | Rating: G

--

“I think it’s letting up,” Robin says from her perch by the window. 

“Good. I did not want to drive in that,” Steve says as he wipes the counters down. For the life of him, he can’t get this sticky… something off. 

Robin walks back to the counter and deflates on to the freshly cleaned (ish) surface. “Can we go for a walk when we get to yours? I feel like I haven’t been outside in ages.” 

He raises an eyebrow, partially at the assumption they’re going to his and partially at the puppy eyes she’s giving him. 

“A walk,” he mumbles. Steve tosses the rag into the cleaning bucket under the counter. “Yeah, that sounds nice.”

Turns out, Steve really needed this. The fresh rain smell permeates through his senses, clearing his mind and soothing the anxiety he didn’t even realize he had. 

They sway their joined hands between them, back and forth as Steve matches Robin’s funky walk. 

“We should go for walks more,” Robin says. 

“I thought you hated walking.” 

“Only when I don’t have a choice.”

Steve shrugs. Fair enough. 

They turn the corner, following the sidewalk as it twists through Loch Nora. It’s in front of Mr. Humphrey’s house when they encounter the first puddle. 

He tries to tug Robin away from the water reaching across the pavement but she stops him. 

“Steve?” Robin’s watching the water where the edge touches the toes of her sneakers. 

“Robin?” Steve asks, drawing out the syllables. 

“Are we doing anything after this?” 

“You said you’d watch the Celtics game with me.” 

Robin nods slowly. “So… nothing that requires dry shoes and pants?”

“Robin,” he warns. 

She grins at him before she lets go of his hand and takes a giant (unnecessary) leap into the shallow puddle. 

Steve sighs and looks down at his damp sneakers, the splash zone hitting along the sides and dipping into his socks. “Happy?” 

“Very.” She shakes off her feet one at a time and reaches for his hand again. 

As they continue their walk, Robin’s shoes make loud, squelching noises with every step. He doesn’t get a chance to tease her before they reach another, deeper puddle in front of the Delaneys. 

Steve drops her hand and motions to it. “Go for it.” 

Robin claps once and prepares for her jump – then pauses. “Do it with me.” 

“No way.” 

“The shoes will dry, Steve.” 

“That’s not why!” 

“Then why not?”

“I’m not six!”

“Neither am I!” 

She’s laughing as she takes both of his hands in hers. With a deep breath, she asks, “Why won’t you jump in the puddle with me?” 

Steve… doesn’t have a good answer. Not for Robin at least. All he can hear is his mom’s voice telling him no or Tommy H calling him a baby back in elementary school. 

There must be something in his eyes that tells Robin everything she needs to know. She gently tugs him toward the puddle again. 

“Together?” 

“Okay.” 

They jump on three, hitting the puddle so hard it splashes to their thighs. His pants are damp and his shoes are now soaked, but Robin’s laughter is so contagious he almost doesn’t care as he joins her. 

At the next puddle, they don’t even stop before they take a big leap into the water. 

--

Thank you @lady-lostmind for beta reading!

Ao3 Link

[schleiereule94]

Nice Saturday walk in the Old Kilpatrick Hills with great views onto Glasgow and the Clyde☀️☀️

[regnum-plantae]

Valeriana officinalis, Caprifoliaceae

Today I went for a hike on the hills west of Glasgow and I was so happy to encounter valerian, a plant I still had to see growing in the wild here in Scotland. This perennial species native to Europe and Asia can grow quite tall (the one I found was probably about 170 cm/5.5 ft) and from a distance it can be easy to mistake it for some kind of Apiacea due to the similar habit, especially considering giant hogweed is almost ubiquitous. 

Valerian, as you might already know, has historically been -and still is- an important plant in herbalism. Known since ancient times, in the Middle Ages it was regarded as a panacea, or universal cure, and used to treat many difficult conditions, including sepsis and even epilepsy. Before the discovery of quinine, it was considered one of the best plants to treat fever. The reason why you might already be familiar with this plant though, is because valerian root extract is still widely used today to ease stress symptoms, mild anxiety and insomnia (I keep some tablets in my medicine cupboard), although this is based on traditional use and not medical evidence. It can actually be addictive, and/or have adverse effects, so it shouldn’t be used for an extended period of time. 

Although I wouldn’t describe the scent of the pinkish flowers as pleasant (cats go crazy for it though), they have found use in the production of perfumes, while the essential oil of leaves and roots is used as a flavouring and in aroma therapy. Similarly to comfrey, the leaves can be used to produce a liquid plant feed rich in phosphorus, while the entire plant is a good compost activator. 

If you get a hold of some seeds, sow them in spring in a moist spot, hoverflies will love the flowers (there were many buzzing around this plant, too fast for me to take good photos though.) 

[thats-h0w-th3-light-g3ts-in]

THANK YOU!! I know 🤯🤯

It‘s one of the great mysteries of our age ... like Atlantis or the Loch Ness Monster...

I wonder if we’ll ever find out!

Would anybody with knowledge please explain to me some things??

Now, Kelly and Matthew were obviously together since as one user pointed out every second instagram post by Matthew Settle in 2015 is entangled with Kelly or about Kelly.

But how come, it is not mentioned on any of the two‘s Wikipedia pages?? It only states who they are/were married to. Usually Wikipedia also mentions if someone is dating let alone when they were co-stars. Who else to trust if not Wikipedia?

And suppose they have not been together, was this all just a huge publicity stunt for Gossip Girl?

This however, wouldn’t make much sense, because they weren’t even the main characters of the show or the main intrests of target viewers.

Facts are. Matthew‘s instagram from 2015 AND Kelly‘s from last year, were they apparently were in St. Tropez together. [or it‘s just a throwback, but they had been in St. Tropez together at some point.]

Somebody please explain! I am desperate!

Yes this is still 2020.

[hogwarts1850s]

Gryffindors Head Boy: Chester Weasley --7th year. Pureblood. Cousin to Allison, is on good terms with her but teases her bookish ways. He’s very popular and generally thought to be attractive and charming. Is excellent at dueling. DADA. Magical Creatures, Herbology Head Girl: Alvira DeWitt – 7th year. Halfblood. Known to have been a hat-stall between her house and Ravenclaw. Very strict and prim, enjoys her authority and makes a good leader. She tends to have an answer for everything, and can be scathingly critical. Transfiguration. Spell Theory, Ancient Runes Prefect: Artie (Arthur) Ringwald --7th year. Pureblood but doesn’t care about blood status. Friendly, hunk-next door type who likes to help out. Is a back up for the Quidditch team. DADA. Spell Theory, Magical Creatures. Prefect: Cherie Beaufort --7th year. Pureblood, entitled and tyrannical, terrorizes the school with her prefect authority. She’s manipulative, and twists the truth to cause chaos. Craves approval and admiration. Friends with Gloriana and Veronica. DADA. Divination, Ancient Runes  Prefect: Bryony Fleamont --6th year. Friendly but has spunk. Harry’s great-great-great grandmother. On the Quidditch team. Charms. Astronomy, Magical Creatures. Gerard Potter – 6th year. Quirky but charming. Harry’s great-great-great grandfather. DADA. Herbology, Divination. Tiberius Ironside – 6th year. Intimidating but occasionally offers help. On the Quidditch team. DADA. Alchemy, Spell Theory. Garett Salug – 6th year. Pureblood. Seems a little dense, but brave and born to be an auror.  DADA. Magical Creatures, Herbology. Celia Trachtenberg – 6th year. Halfblood cousin to Saralyn. Often sick, but sweet. Wants to be a healer. Potions. Magical Creatures, Alchemy Donella Simmers – 4th year. Annoying kid sister of Saralyn. Charms. Magical Creatures, History of Magic.  Tristan Park – 4th year. Halfblood. Popular, charming, and prideful. Charms. Magical Creatures, Astronomy. Alonna Gundry – 4th year. Halfblood and half-sister to Charles in 5th year. Admires him, and makes reckless attempt to be brave like him. DADA. divination, magical creatures

Slytherins  Head Girl: Darla Malfoy – Pureblood. Rules the school with Gloriana. Generally dismissive of others, but simpers and sucks up to professors. Is very elegant, and throws her wealth around. Comes from an old blood supremacist family, who’s ideals she spouts with care. Potions. Alchemy, Astronomy. Head Boy: Bentley Shacklebolt – Pureblood. Generally kindly and resourceful. His house claims he is always helpful, and sure to be a famous wizard. He is quite magically talented, and knows how to find and use people’s strengths. He’s very curious and protective, a stickler for the rules and authority. [Boyd] Transfigutation. Spell Theory, Alchemy Prefect: Veronika Consuelos --7th year. Pureblood. Refined, confident and determined. Tends to be boy crazy, but has more depth. From a very wealthy family with a lot of influence, recently moved from Spain. Potions. Astronomy, Alchemy Prefect: Reginald Muldoon --7th year. Pureblood. Never holds himself accountable, a snide school bully. Friends with Domenic. DADA. Magical Creatures, Ancient Runes Aurelia Mulciber – 7th year. Pureblood. Threatening, but has delicate features. Clueless about muggles, friends and sometimes competitive with Darla. DADA. Magical History, Ancient Runes Ursula Underwood – 7th year. Pureblood, friends with Annika Yaxley in 5th year. Nosy and morally questionable. Loyal member of Darla’s crew. Charms. Magical History, Ancient Runes Tobin Crouch – 7th year. Pureblood, narcissistic and materialistic. Throws around his wealth and bullies others. Transfiguration. Astronomy and Herbology. Domenic Bulstrode – 7th year. Pureblood, vindictive and cruel. Charms. Spell Theory, Alchemy Thomas Higgs – Brother to Tobias. Fairly popular but intense. 7th Year Charms. Magical Creatures and History of Magic.  Prefect: Severna Prince – 6th year. Antisocial but talented. Pureblood Ancestor of Snape. Potions. Alchemy and Ancient Runes. Dimitrius Lamette – 6th year. Pureblood, gay. Ambitious and cunning. Older brother of Imperia. Potions. Alchemy and History of Magic. Elzabet Avery – 6th year. Pureblood cousin to Tara in 5th year. From a known dark family, consistently berates and teases her cousin. Self-righteous and critical, part of the 6th year queen bees. Transfiguration. Ancient Runes and Alchemy Duke Mears –  2nd year. Halfblood, charming and mischievous younger brother to Baron. Transfiguration.  Crysanthe Lamette – 2nd year. Pureblood. Spoiled but bright younger sister to Imperia. Friends with Duke. Charms.

Ravenclaws  Head Girl: Cassandra Trelawney – Seer, 7th year. Pureblood. Known to be a talented seer, even at her young age. She is sweet, but generally distracted and even stressed. She is frequently the target of gossip and jinxes, which she takes in stride. She is already being hired by witches and wizards to divine their futures.Frequently she helps out with Prof. DeVargas’ apprentices.  Charms. Divination, Astronomy Head Boy: Giles Bletchley – 7th year. Pureblood. Captain of the Quidditch team (Chaser). Was a trouble-maker when he was younger, but smartened up in his 6th year. He wasn’t a prefect previously. He gets excellent grades, and is generally helpful but sarcastic. Is also in music club, plays guitar and sings. DADA. History of Magic, Spell Theory Prefect: Forythe Pendleton --7th year. Muggleborn. Philosophical aspiring writer, fights injustice, and is a bit of a loner. Transfig. Ancient Runes, Spell Theory Prefect: Josephine Baker --7th year. Pureblood. A little snooty and contolling, most because she is driven and dedicated to her pursuits. Mother is high in the ministry, father is the celebrity Wizarding Orchestra conductor. Is a talented singer. Charms. Alchemy, Magical Theory Basil Perks - 7th Year. Technical, tall, intelligent, speedy. Charms, Alchemy, Ancient Runes Larissa Sprout – 7th Year. Pureblood. Can be preachy and know-it-all, but has good intentions. Says “I told you so” a lot. Sister to Thelonius. Transfiguration. Alchemy, Herbology. Prefect: Ivy Brink – 6th year. Cousin to Theodore in 5th year. Ambitious and curious. Transfig. Alchemy, Spell Theory Prefect: Gerbold Octavius Ollivander – 6th year. Son to the current Ollivander’s shop owner Gallen Ollivander, younger brother to his sister Griselda who runs the Hogsmeade branch. Charms. Alchemy. Spell Theory  Margueritte Edgecomb - 6th Year. Bubbly, flirty, and creative. Good grades but flaky. Charms, Divination, Magical Creatures Hannetta Kerrigan - 6th Year. Straight forward, clever. Dating Hufflepuff Captain. DADA, Herbology, Magical Creatures Miranda Penrose – 4th year. Insane but brilliant, curious. DADA, Divination, Ancient Runes  Mirabella Plunkett – 1st year. Will eventually fall in love with a merman in Loch Lomond on holiday. Redhead with freckles.From the HP canon. DADA, History of Magic, Magical Creatures

Hufflepuffs Head Boy: “Lorn” Ashlorn Macnair – 7h year. Pureblood. Estrained from his dark family, already disowned as a blood traitor. He is openly gay, and runs the Theatre club with Madame Murray. It is well known that he got his green skin and red eyes from a failed attempt to be an animagus. He is very vocal about the rights of muggleborns and halfbreeds. Charms. Magical Creatures, Herbology Head Girl: Gloriana Trimble – Pureblood. Tyranical, 7th year. Pureblood. She is tyrannical, ruling her school year with Darla Malfoy as queen bees. She’s quite proud, mocks others, and gloats at any chance. She will tell anyone who will hear that she is the ancestor of a Hogwarts Headmaster. She can frequently be seen preening and flirting, while shirking her Head Girl duties.  DADA. Alchemy, Spell Theory Prefect: Bette (Elizabeth) Copperpot --7th year. Halfblood. Generally thought to be wholesome and sweet, is also known for being curious and investigative. Charms. History of Magic, Spell Theory Prefect: Casey Cott --7th year. Halfblood. He can be a little reckless and curious, outspoken but loyal. Tends to think the best of people. Son of an Auror. Charms. Spell Theory, Astronomy Saoirse Callaghan - 7th year. Captain of the Quidditch team. Friendly and competitive, dating Ravenclaw Hannetta. Cassia Swoopsticks - 6th year. OCD. On Quidditch team. From a family of inventors and businessmen. Invented many household cleaning supplies. Charms. Herbology, Magical Creatures Lydia Humphrey – 4th year. Musician and aspiring wizarding fashion designer. Charms. Herbology, Spell Theory [Jenny] Ercullus Spore - 4th year. Lazy but friendly. Loves cats, artist. On Quidditch team. Transfiguration. Spell Theory, Magical Creatures Ziegfried Delamarquise - 4th year. Quirky and funny actor and musician. Androgynous. On Quidditch team. Transfiguration. Alchemy, Divination Charlotte Grimblehawk - 2nd year. Shy and timid younger sister to Melanie in 5th year. Potions. Jordan Osbert - 1st year. Overzealous and excitable cousin to Sebastian in 5th year. Transfiguration.

[sectum-hq]

HELENA SCAMANDER is TWENTY-NINE years old. She attended HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY where she was a HUFFLEPUFF. As of now she is NEUTRAL but is in support of the Order of the Phoenix. HELENA is TAKEN.

FC

Kesha

Bio

The middle child syndrome isn’t as applicable when you’re the only daughter. Sandwiched between two brothers, in birth order and in every family photo, Helena Scamander never actually felt like she had to fight for attention. She could be a princess if she wanted, but that meant she had to act like one too. A real princess, not those spoiled brats on TV. She learned to be kind from her father. She learned to be generous from her mother. She learned patience and consideration for others from her older brother. Most of all she learned to fight for what she believed in from her little brother. Horatio had been born with trisomy 21. Though he was loved deeply by his immediate family, there was still cruelty in the world. Helena and Humphrey spent most of their childhoods looking out for him.

There were many things about Helena that ran true to her family name. She was sorted into Hufflepuff like her forefathers. She was a skilled witch but had a penchant for magizoology, growing into an obsession as her years at Hogwarts progressed. There were things about her that were different though. How she felt about girls the way they felt about guys. How disinterested she was in working for the ministry. How she dressed. All of these things set her apart, made her different. She didn't mind being different as long as she was herself and that’s what she always wanted for everyone else. For them to be themselves, not afraid to be different, not oppressed by fear or hatred. In the early days of the war, she thought she understood why people followed Voldemort but Helena found herself horrified when violence broke out.

Kindness was the answer. Hope was the answer. Couldn’t people see that? As time marched on, Helena withdrew more from the wide world. The rotation of part time jobs she usually worked to support herself and the animals she rescued were all given up to spend time at home with her family and those animals. She found comfort and security in caring for them and soon enough the plot of land her parents had given her was housing dozens of stray creatures. Necessity was the mother of invention and Helena set about turning her property into a proper sanctuary. She lives modestly herself now, in a small cottage at the back of the plot. Most of the money she makes from ticket sales and donations to the sanctuary go right back into helping the animals. Two other zookeepers, Horatio and unpaid interns keep the place going.

It’s hard a lot of the time and she gets lonely on occasion but her priority is the sanctuary. She’s created her own corner of paradise, a place of hope and smiling faces. Somewhere people can escape from their troubles to a surreal, beautiful adventure; where she is still a princess upholding the rights of kindness, generosity and most of all hope. It’s a place where people appreciate her brother. A place where they can see beautiful animals and be inspired to protect them as well. Although she’s been able to keep out of the war, pressure seems to be rising. Helena doesn’t know what to think anymore, she supports the order but has no desire to fight. No one wins a war after all. She wants to keep her animals safe. She just can’t help but feel like she has to make a choice and it is the last thing she wants to do.

TIDBITS

Helena’s bogart is her sanctuary burning down.

Her patronus is a Loch Beast 

[motorbikemilly]

Daily exercise with amazing views 🥰🐾 #adoptdontshop #onemanandhisdog #motorbikemilly #bikerdog (at Loch Humphrey) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5NnB2JiU6/?igshid=1gnmnb2jsgrvp

[der-unverantwortliche]

In 1948, as he completed his draft of the U.N.’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Canadian law professor John Humphrey went home and noted in his diary that what had been achieved was “something like the Christian morality without the tommyrot.”

That seems a nearly perfect phrase: Christian morality without the tommyrot. Humphrey meant, of course, all the unnecessary accretions of prayer and miracles and faith and sacraments and chapels. But the phrase might be the motto of all who answer surveys by saying they are “spiritual, but not religious.” It might be the motto of all who have a vague and unspoken—indeed, unspeakable—feeling that it is somehow more Christian not to be a Christian.

(x)

There is a striking illustration of this paralysis in the reception that was given to David Hume’s Dialogues concerning Natural Religion, published posthumously in 1778.

This book was, at the time, the most powerful attack on religion ever published. It still is. Its target was not any particular doctrine or doctrines of the Christian religion: miracles (for example), or immortality, or transubstantiation. Its target was religion at its bare minimum: “natural” religion, the religion to which even people like Voltaire and Thomas Paine still adhered, religion even after it had been freed from all the absurdities of Revelation. Hume’s own friends, most of whom still retained some tincture of religion, were frightened of this book, and they forbade him to publish it while he lived. The defenders of full-blooded Christianity were simply terrified by it. The result was that, though the book might have been expected to produce twenty prompt replies, it in fact produced nothing at all, except a universal agreement to pretend that it did not exist. There is not, as far as I know, a single printed mention of this book in English during the eighteenth century.

(x)

Spricht ein Mann, wie ich, so stellen sie sich als hörten sie nichts. Der Pfiff ist gut, wenn auch nicht neu. Ich will aber doch ein Mal sehn, ob man nicht einen Dachs aus seinem Loche herauszerren kann.

(x)

debate about religion in western culture functions as a homeostat, protecting the core religious principles of the culture from questioning. the debate itself, however fierce, strengthens religion, as it binds thought tightly to itself, in one form or another. disagreements are permitted (that is: acknowledged, ‘heard-of’), & the more interminable the better, as long as they leave these core principles untouched. the permitted positions are grouped, broadly speaking, under Hume’s two species of the ‘superstitious’ & the ‘fanatical’ (which are, I suspect, also synonyms for ‘right’ and ‘left’, respectively).

“only compensated vectors are encouraged”: the only way acknowledged by the culture to be smart enough to question its religion is to believe it in an even stupider form (you may reject the authority of the this or that church, but ‘therefore’ you believe in liberty, equality, fraternity, human rights, the human spirit, the spirit of history, the whole 9 yards). you reject religion because you judge it immoral (whence this morality?), in order to be a better person, a better christian – & the only way the culture permits you to be reasonable enough to reject revolutionary excess is by falling back on superstition. in this way, the internal struggles of religion absorb any serious attempt at escape, at irreligion (ie, unbinding). 

(this is also, at least in part, the explanation for the fate of the new atheism, which SSC autopsied recently – it wasn’t clear to the fanatics that those mocking superstition were actually irreligious – if it had been, they would have been ignored from the start.)

to refuse the preset terms of the 'argument' & insist on irreligion is to be ignored; to do so while making yourself un-ignorable is to call down the unanimous ire of the culture – which may be worth it, if thereby a knife of doubt can be slipped into its heart.

[uacboo]

The historic archive from Campbeltown Picture House — one of the first purpose built cinemas in Britain which opened in 1913 — is being donated to the safe keeping of the National Library of Scotland’s Moving Image Archive.

The charity that runs the cinema has carried out an extensive project in cataloguing and digitising its paper records and has agreed that their long term preservation is best secured as part of the Moving Image Archive.

The Grade-A listed Campbeltown Picture House is to re-open later this year after a £3.5 million restoration project that will confirm its place at the heart of the cultural, entertainment and social life of Campbeltown and Kintyre.

The Glasgow school building with its art nouveau exterior was designed as a cinema and is the oldest in Scotland that has been continually used for that purpose. Set on the banks of Campbeltown loch, it is of major architectural and historical significance.

The paper archive tells the story of how cinema became established in Scotland, detailing the roles played by some of the early pioneers and the local people who backed them by becoming shareholders in the Picture House venture.

The Campbeltown Picture House may never have existed had it not been for its first managing director, Frederick Rendell Burnette. Born in Dorset, he started life as a performer, being variously described as a wizard, mind-reader and conjurer. Spotting an opportunity with the advent of moving pictures, he visited the United States to discover more and, on returning to Scotland, set up a chain of cinemas including the Campbeltown Picture House. Not content with only showing films, he commissioned them as well and in 1914 local people were treated to a showing of a film featuring the 6th, 7th and 9th Battalions of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders marching through the town from the Old Quay.

Other items in the archive include:

-Newspaper cuttings announcing the opening of the new cinema on Monday 26 May 1913 ‘as a first class picture house’. One cutting continued: 'This house has been specially designed for comfort and safety and will compare favourably with any first class, up-to-date London or Glasgow picture house. Nothing but the best pictures selected for this theatre’.

-Detailed architectural drawings for the construction of the Picture House

-Early advertisements for cinema showings

-A receipt for the sale of the cinema piano in 1933 as the silent films it used to accompany gave way to 'the talkies’

-Ledgers detailing the contributions of the original 40 shareholders

-Financial information including the wages paid to the various members of staff

-Details of a plane crash in 1938 which was carrying film reels to the Picture House. The plane came down in gale force winds near Largs but, fortunately, the two crew survived. The Picture House had to be closed that night as the reels containing the main picture, an American gangster movie, 'Bullets or Ballots’ starring Humphrey Bogart and Edward G Robinson, were stuck on the wrecked plane on an Ayrshire hillside.

'Campbeltown Picture House occupies a very special place in the history of cinema in Scotland which makes its archive all the more important,’ said Ruth Washbrook the National Library’s Moving Image and Sound Collections Manager. 'The Campbeltown archive will enrich our collections and add to the knowledge we hold about cinema in Scotland. We are delighted it is coming to us.’

Jane Mayo, who chairs Campbeltown Community Business Ltd, the charity which runs the cinema and has carried out the restoration, said: 'We are delighted our precious archive will become part of the national collection so that future generations can be inspired by the details of the story of an isolated community determined to bring the latest technologies to their town.’

From The National Library of Scotland via Twitter

[thehikingviking]

Pilot Knob (N) from North Lake via Paiute Pass

Day 4 on the 2019 Sierra Challenge was called Humphreys Basin, with the challenge objectives being two unnamed bumps between Pilot Knob and Four Gables. While these objectives were of no interest to me, the previous challenge peak and current SPS peak of Pilot Knob just to the southwest was. This peak alone would require over 20 miles to complete, and since the majority of the Pilot Knob route overlapped the challenge route, this would give us an opportunity to hike with the group for a good portion of the hike. Asaka and I rushed to the trailhead and got everything in order just in time for departure. We partook in the group photo at North Lake Trailhead at the campsite where mosquitoes were fierce. We then took off up the trail. Asaka started off at a brisk pace, of which the whole group followed. It wasn’t long until the pace became unsustainable, and others slowly began to pass us. I could feel the spirit drain from Asaka as we drifted towards the back of the pack. We settled on a pace matching Bob and Mason, who I chatted with for the first couple miles. I had to finally let them pass right before Loch Leven, as I noticed Asaka began to fade further. Loch Leven was as beautiful as ever.

We now settled into a more normal pace, hiking alongside Chris Henry and Ken Yee. We passed Piute Lake and hiked up the final mile to the pass crossing many streams and lingering snowfields.

We took a long break at the top of Piute Pass. Asaka asked which one was Pilot Knob, so I pointed towards the peak. She became devastated at the thought of continuing on so far, and told me that she was going to turn around. This was heart breaking for me because I felt the hike would be enjoyable and I knew it fell within her abilities. I didn’t want to miss out on the peak, so I decided to continue on by myself. We divided up the food and I continued down the trail towards Summit Lake.

While trying to convince Asaka to continue, I had lost sight of all the others. My whole plan of hiking with the group had dissolved.

I despondently made my way around Summit Lake, and while looking back I noticed a figure hiking down the trail. The chances were it was a stranger, but I couldn’t help but wonder and hope that it was Asaka. I waited for several minutes and still couldn’t recognize the person, so I began hiking back. Sure enough it was Asaka, and she agreed to try and continue to the peak with me.

At a fork in the trail, we took a right towards Desolation Lake.

Mt Humphreys stood above us to the northeast. I was very proud to have already climbed this monster.

After a short distance, we left the trail and made a beeline towards Pilot Knob. We were now hiking across the Humphreys Basin. The terrain was easy to cross without a trail.

The mosquitoes punished us. There was a lot of water throughout the Humphreys Basin, creating a perfect breeding ground for the little parasites.

At the same time, the water created many beautiful views, and allowed for the blossoming of wildflowers this late into the summer.

Glacier Divide dominated the skyline to the southwest.

The challenge peaks stood to the northwest.

Over a rise, Pilot Knob came into view. 

The only downside to the cross country travel was there were a lot of small up and downs. I tried to minimize the elevation change to the best of my abilities, but it is in no way completely unavoidable.

We were given a great view of Knob Lake and Pilot Knob after surmounting one last final rise. We planned to ascend the northwestern ridge.

We had to climb down into one more creek bed before starting the final climb. The terrain remained open and easy for cross country travel. 

From the top of the ridge we could see Chevaux and Alsace Lakes. When I told Asaka the peak was just to our left, she was very surprised. When I pointed to the peak from Piute Pass, she thought that I was pointing to Merriam Peak on the other side of French Canyon. That would be way too far to do as a day hike, even for me.

The majority of the remaining distance up the peak was a straight forward class 2 scramble.

Someone was climbing the peak up above us on the ridge. I couldn’t make out who it was, but it was most likely another Sierra Challenger. We passed Chris Henry on his way down towards the challenge peaks. Shortly after, I noticed someone was hot on our heels. I was not going to let him pass us, so I pushed on at full speed towards the top, leaving Asaka in the process. The final traverse to the true summit was a fun bit of class 3.

Shortly after I reached the top. To the northeast were the challenge peaks, Four Gables, Mt Humphreys, Checkered Demon and Mt Emerson.

To the east were Piute Pass and the section of Humphreys Basin which we just crossed.

To the south were Piute Canyon and Glacier Divide. 

To the southwest French Canyon merged with Piute Canyon and drained towards the South Fork of the San Joaquin River.

To the northwest was French Canyon.

To the north were Feather, Royce and Merriam Peaks in the foreground. In the background was Mt Morgan.

Shortly after David Quatro joined me on the summit. We introduced ourselves, and we learned that the person ahead of us was Grant Miller, the amazingly fast newcomer who has been tearing up the challenge so far.

We watched Asaka make the final traverse towards us.

Asaka and I spent a long time on the summit. It was a beautiful day and we had great views everywhere. Chevaux, Alsace, Paris and Puppet Lakes were all amazingly beautiful.

We finally left the summit hoping to make it to down by dinner time. As we neared the end of the class 3 traverse, Clémente Guillaume appeared. I asked him if he had traversed all the way from Four Gables, to which he responded, “No Four Gables, no Four Gables.” It took a few seconds to linguistically digest this through his thick accent. I recommended that he climb Sky Point on his way back, then we went our separate ways.

I strongly considered climbing one of the two challenge peaks as a bonus. It was only a short distance out of our way and had the potential to avoid some elevation change later on. Asaka was already mentally frail, so I voted against it. We would retrace our steps back towards the pass.

As anticipated, the up and downs began to wear on us. Humphreys Basin is quite expansive, and it never felt like we were making any significant progress.

The only thing we could do to pass the time was enjoy the amazing scenery.

After an eternity, we made it back to Piute Pass, where we had some backpackers take our photos. It wasn’t as hard as expected. Only two more hours, I told Asaka.

I stopped at one of the lakes for my aqua challenge point. Afterwards I felt clean and revitalized.

Within the last two miles I felt someone right on our heels. I turned back and it was Chris Henry. We then jogged out to the car together. 

That night we slept in the car at the trailhead. After 3 days of hiking, we earned a rest day. The next day I tried fishing at North Lake, almost broke my Jeep in trying to fix it and refreshed in Bishop.

[aroooosha]

Indie and I up the crags last night! #cycle #mtb #dog #sunset #scotland (at Loch Humphrey)

[captaingardening100-blog]

THIS WEEK: Winter Words Festival at Pitlochry

New Post has been published on https://gardenguideto.com/awesome/this-week-winter-words-festival-at-pitlochry/

THIS WEEK: Winter Words Festival at Pitlochry

Pitlochry Festival Theatre has an amazing array of demonstrates for this year’s Winter Words Festival from 14 – 17 February :P TAGEND

Thursday, 14 February

Mary Miers and Christina Noble: Journey To A Highland Estate

Enter the wonderful world of the Highland Estate with two fascinating writers. Mary Miers will introduce some of the most dramatic and little-known homes in the romantic north of Scotland, with some specially commissioned images, many from the world famous Country Life picture archive. Christina Noble will focus on one estate- Ardkinglas, a 45,000 -acre estate at the head of Loch Fyne- now famous for its Oyster Bar. She’ll tell the story of the estate, based on personal memories, letters and household diaries- from her great-grandfather buying the estate in 1905, to the community Ardkinglas has become today, looking at a Highland estate in the modern world and asking what is it for?

10. 00 am- 11.00 am | PS8. 50

Ken Cox: Adventures In Woodland Gardening

Festival favourite, Ken Cox returns to Winter Words with a talk on Woodland Gardening, detailing how to landscape with Rhododendrons, Magnolias and Camellias. With plenty of gorgeous images, Ken will take audiences through the history and evolution of the woodland gardening style, from Japan and China, to Europe and around the world. Plus insights and advice on intend, management and restoring woodland gardens. Ken is a third generation woodland gardener at Glendoick, Scotland, a nurseryman and writer of 11 volumes on Scottish gardens, gardening and rhododendrons.

11. 30 am- 12.30 pm | PS8. 50

Chris Townsend: Strolling The Spine Of Scotland Literary Lunch

Chris Townsend, passionate hillwalker and backpacker, is currently Hillwalking Ambassador for the British Mountaineering Council. Here he turns his attention to the spine of Scotland,’ The Watershed’ which operates between the Atlantic and the North Sea, covering 1200 km and describes his walk along the line where fallen rainfall operates either west to the Atlantic or east to the North Sea, showing us some of the stunning images he’s taken along the way. But this tale isn’t simply a travelogue, instead Chris will reflect on nature and history, conservation and rewilding, land use and literature, and change in a time of limitless possibilities for both better and worse.

12. 45 pm- 2.15 pm | PS24. 50 includes a two course lunch and coffee or tea.

Gary Sutherland: Walk This Way

Gary Sutherland is not your typical nature writer. He lived on the doorstep of the West Highland Way for many years, dismissing it, until one day he started to walk- and walking and walk. Gary tells how mounds dedicated him the heebiejeebies, and woods frightened him. Add to that his deep aversion to most forms of wildlife. Then, one day, he decided to tackle the West Highland Way … and the Great Glen Way … and the Speyside Way. This is a tale- with images- of fortitude, cows, resilience, feral goats, ambition, Belgians, ludicrous ridges, cataclysmic quagmires and creepy messages spelt out in pine cones!

3. 00 pm- 4.00 pm | PS8. 50

Donald S Murray and John MacLeod: Remembering The Iolaire Disaster

In 1918, more than 200 men succumbed when His Majesty’s Admiralty Yacht, Iolaire sank, just outside Stornoway Harbour. It was one of the worst shipping catastrophes in British history. The 100 th anniversary of the Iolaire disaster is a time to remember, and we’re doing just that in this event. Donald S. Murray will discuss his fictional account of the tragedy, As The Women Lay Dreaming, while John MacLeod brings us a factual story from the day that so many Scottish hearts were violated. Join us for what will surely be a moving and fascinating discussion.

4. 30 pm- 5.30 pm | PS8. 50

Liz Lochhead with Steve Kettley: Something Old, Something New

A selection of favourites, old and new, from fifty( ouch !) years of bittersweet, polemical, comical, in-character monologues, theatre pieces and performance poems by the former National Poet of Scotland and recipient of the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, Liz Lochhead. Plus bluesy, soulful and playful saxophone stuff from musician, composer and occasional performer, Steve Kettley of long-standing quartet, Steve Kettley’s Odd Times, whose varied career includes work touring the UK and with residencies in New York and Baltimore.

7. 30 pm- 9.00 pm | PS12. 50

Friday, 15 February

Donald S Murray and Robin A Crawford: Discovering The Story Of Peat

Peat. The Dark Stuff. Art historian, Robin A Crawford delves Into The Peatlands of the Outer Hebrides over the course of the year, explaining how they have been created and examining how peat has been used from the Bronze Age onwards plus many other aspects, including the wildlife and folklore relating to these lonely, watery places. Playwright-poet, Donald S. Murray’s talk extends from Lewis and the Highlands to the Netherlands and Australia, unpicking how this landscape affected him and the ways that humans have represented the moor in literature, art and folktale. Together their conversation is a fascinating discourse on this most Scottish of materials.

10. 00 am- 11.00 am | PS8. 50

Andy Howard: The Secret Life Of The Mountain Hare

Andy Howard is a wildlife photographer, ecologist, and expert on the mountain hare. “Usually shy, always charming, they can run like the wind and their presence is an indicator of a healthy environment, where predators and prey live their lives in a constantly changing balance.” In this event Andy will take the audience on a journey with this ultimate survivor, accompanied by his own stunning images.

11. 30 am- 12.30 pm | PS8. 50

Polly Pullar: A Richness Of Martens Literary Lunch

Polly Pullar is a novelist, photographer and field naturalist. She has a particular passion for wildlife, the countryside and in particular remote the sectors of the Highlands and Islands.

Join Polly for a fascinating insight into the story of the Humphreys family and their pine martens, a much misconstrue animal, and a passionate portrait of one of Scotland’s richest habitats- the oakwoods of Scotland’s Atlantic seaboard. Polly’s previous Winter Words appearances ought to have festival highlightings- knowledgeable and packed with energy!

12. 45 pm- 2.15 pm | PS24. 50 includes a two course lunch and coffee or tea.

Alex Boyd: Images Of St. Kilda- The Silent Islands

Alex Boyd’s photographs of the ever-mysterious St. Kilda archipelago depict the beauty of the islands, but he also captures the modern signs of military presence- jarring with the empty landscape: the inter-relationship between heritage, myth and Britain’s ongoing role on the world stage as a major weapons producer.

Alex will take you on the journey across the largest isle of Hirta, from the hills above Village Bay, or in the valley of Gleann Mor beyond, pointing out the structures both ancient and modern built by the St. Kildans themselves.

3. 00 pm- 4.00 pm | PS8. 50

Christopher Baker: J.M.W. Turner, A Life In Watercolour

J.M.W. Turner( 1775 -1 851) was perhaps the most prolific, innovative and one of the best-loved of all British artists. His outstanding watercolours were bequeathed to the National Gallery of Scotland in 1899 by the distinguished collector, Henry Vaughan, and are one of the most popular features of its collection. Join Christopher Baker, Director of the Portrait Gallery, for an illustrated talk that will provide a remarkable overview of many of the most important aspects of Turner’s Career.

4. 30 pm- 5.30 pm | PS8. 50

Doddie Weir: His Name’5 Doddie

Scottish rugby legend, George Wilson Weir is better known to the world as Doddie. Winning 61 caps, he was a fan-favourite of the Scottish crowd, before retiring in 2004. Then, in 2017, Doddie announced he had motor neurone disease. There is currently no remedy, and most patients diagnosed with this illness die within three years of developing symptoms. His foundation, My Name’5 Doddie, is creating money to help find treatments and a remedy. Come along to this special evening and hear Doddie, along with his ghost writer, Stewart Weir, talk on this funny, moving and fascinating uncover of Doddie’s career and life.

6. 00 pm- 7.00 pm | PS10. 00

Prof Dame Sue Black& Dr Richard Shepherd: The Truth About Life And Death

Professor Sue Black is known the world over for her work as a forensic anthropologist and anatomist. From uncovering war crimes in Kosovo to identifying bodies in the Indian Ocean tsunami, she’s returned bodies to their loved ones, often years after they disappeared.

Dr Shepherd takes nothing for granted in the pursuit of truth. Each post-mortem is a detective narrative in its own- and Shepherd has performed over 23,000 of them and involved in some of the most high-profile cases of recent times.

How do these extraordinary people was also able to separate work and the rest of their life- and what happens when those lines blur? Sue and Richard will discuss this and some of the extraordinary instances they’ve covered in their long careers. Q& A conference and book-signing.

7. 30 pm- 9.00 pm | PS14. 50

Saturday, 16 February

Jonny Muir: The Mountains Are Calling

Jonny is a successful hill and fell runner. In an exhilarating story of runners who go to high places, he explores the history and culture of the athletic, and meets the legends who are venerated for their extraordinary endurance. Discovering the insatiable lure of the hills led Jonny to the supreme test of mountain operate: Ramsay’s Round- a daunting 60 -mile circuit of twenty-three mountains, climbing the equivalent height of Mount Everest and culminating on Ben Nevis, to be completed within twenty-four hours. Did he manage it? Find out in Jonny’s talk- illustrated with some of the incredible photo as well as maps contained within his book.

10. 00 am- 11.00 am | PS8. 50

Hamish Brown: East Of West, West Of East

Hamish Brown is a legendary climber, traveller and author. Here he tells the story of his remarkable family, caught in Japan at the outbreak of the Second World War in the Pacific. With letters, journal extracts , notes from his mothers, and his own recollections, he brings the epoch to life: is not merely the dying days of the British Empire, but the terrible reality of the intrusion of Singapore into which they escaped. In 2015, Hamish Brown was awarded an Outdoor Novelist and Photographers Guild, Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contribution to outdoor writing and photography.

11. 30 am- 12.30 pm | PS8. 50

Rosemary Goring: Scotland: Her Story Literary Lunch

Scotland’s history has been told many times, but never exclusively by its girls. Rosemary takes a unique view on dramatic national events, as well as ordinary life, as experienced by women down the centuries. From the saintly but severe medieval Queen Margaret, via Nan Shepherd and Muriel Spark, to today’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, Rosemary encompasses females from all stations and notoriety and brings to life the half of history that has for too long been hidden or ignored.

12. 45 pm- 2.15 pm | PS24. 50 includes a two course lunch and coffee or tea.

Penny Junor: All The Queen’s Corgis

The Queen has had corgis by her side ever since she was seven years old and persuaded her parent to buy one for the family. The dogs are the Queen’s constant companions and Jenny’s book discloses the scraps and scrapings in which the dogs have been involved.

Daughter of Sir John Junor and school-mate of Princess Anne, journalist, TV presenter and popular novelist, Penny Junor is maybe best known for her royal biographies, originating with Diana: Princess of Wales, earning her the label of’ royal expert’. This is a fascinating and affectionate look at the Queen and her most faithful companions on what really attains our much-loved and longest reigning monarch truly light up.

3. 00 pm- 4.00 pm | PS8. 50

Gabriella Bennett: Coorie In, The Scottish Way

Coorie, or cosagach in Gaelic, is the Scottish version of hygge- a recently popularised Danish word, meaning to create a warm ambiance and enjoy the good things in life with good people. Gabriella Bennett has travelled Scotland speaking to people whose love of coorie shows in their homes, ingenuity and approach to a life lived well. Join Gabriella as she explores what coorie is and how it has helped nurture the astonishing creativity for which Scotland is famed, despite an often harsh and unforgiving climate.

4. 30 pm- 5.30 pm | PS8. 50

Richard Holloway: Waiting For The Last Bus

Get together with one of the most important and beloved religious leaders of our time as he widens an invitation to reconsider life’s greatest mystery. Now in his ninth decade, former Bishop of Edinburgh, Richard Holloway presents a positive, meditative and profound exploration of the many important lessons we can learn from death: facing up to the limitations of our bodies as they falter, reflecting on our fails, and forgiving ourselves and others.

A reviewer and writer for the press, including The Times, The Guardian and The Scotsman, Richard is a frequent presenter on radio and television and is well known for his support of progressive causes, questioning and addressing complex ethical issues in the areas of sexuality, drugs and bioethics.

6. 00 pm- 7.00 pm | PS10. 00

Neil Oliver: The Story Of The British Isles In 100 Places

Archaeologist, historian, conservationist, writer and broadcaster, Neil Oliver is best known as presenter of the BBC documentary series, Coast. This event is his personal account of what induces these islands so special, told through places which have borne witness to the unfolding of our history. Cradling astonishing beauty, the human narrative here is a million years old, but the tolerant, easy-going peace we’ve enjoyed has been hard won. We’ve made and known the best and worst of days. We have been hero and villain and all else in between.

Beginning with humankind’s earliest ancestors, he takes us via Romans and Vikings, the flowering of religion, civil war, industrial revolution and two world wars. From windswept headlands to battlefields- each is a place where the spirit of the past seems to linger. “I have chosen what I consider to be the most characteristic features of the face I have grown up to know and love … in this present climate of public anxiety, disagreement and uncertainty about the future, I think it is timely to seem again at the past, the histories of this place from its earliest times.”

7. 30 pm- 8.30 pm | PS14. 50

Sunday, 17 February

David Ross: Highland Herald

From 1988 to 2017 David was the Highland Correspondent of The Herald. His patch stretched from the Mull of Kintyre in the south to the Shetland island of Unst in the north; from St. Kilda in the west, to the whisky country of Speyside in the east. David helped the first community land buyout in modern times in Assynt, covered the anti-toll campaign on the Skye Bridge, together with the efforts to save Gaelic and protect ferry services. Join David reflecting on the issues affecting the Highlands and Islands during his time of coverage.

10. 00 am- 11.00 am | PS8. 50

James Crawford: Scotland From The Sky

Accompanying the BBC documentary series, novelist and broadcaster James Crawford’s talk will be based on his lavishly represented volume which draws on the vast collecting of aerial photography held in the Historic Environment Scotland repositories. Opening an extraordinary window into our past this is the remarkable story of a nation from above, showing how our great cities have dramatically altered with the ebb and flow of history, while whole communities have faded in the name of progress. James reveals how aerial imagery can unearth gems from the ancient past, and secrets interred right beneath our feet. Come along to get a glorious bird’s-eye opinion of this story of Scotland, from the sky!

11. 30 am- 12.30 pm | PS8. 50

Christopher Fleet: Scotland: Defending The Nation Literary Lunch

Scotland has had an important military history over the last five centuries. 16 th century conflict with England, Jacobite insurrections in the 18 th century, two world wars, as well as the Cold War, all resulted in significant cartographic activity. Christopher Fleet, Senior Map Curator in the National Library of Scotland will explore this rich legacy through rare maps, some reproduced in book sort for the first time. These maps tell particular tales about both attacking and defending the country: castles, reconnaissance mapping, battle schemes, military roads, mines, adversary maps, unrealised proposals and projected schemes.

12. 45 pm- 2.15 pm | PS24. 50 includes a two course lunch and coffee or tea.

Kaye Adams and Nadia Sawalha: Disaster Chef

Are your family rude about your cook? Do you think cake-bakers come from another planet? Disaster Chef is borne out of MasterChef-winner, Nadia Sawalha’s annoyance with Kaye Adams’ kitchen mishaps. It is a recipe volume for the culinary-challenged to be able to dish up delicious maggot fast. Best friends and television services and facilities presenters Nadia and Kaye are well-known for the ITV daytime show, Loose Women. Nadia rose to fame as Annie Palmer in EastEnders, and Disaster Chef is her sixth cookbook. Kaye, meanwhile, is a highly respected journalist and broadcaster, for ITV and STV and BBC Radio Scotland. Join Nadia and Kaye as they chat about quick and simple recipes, and how not to be a Disaster Chef!

3. 00 pm- 4.00 pm | PS10. 00

Denise Mina and Lin Anderson with James Crawford: Bloody Scotland

In Bloody Scotland twelve of Scotland’s best crime-writers use the sinister side of the country’s build heritage in tales by turns, gripping, chilling and redemptive- exploring the potential of Scotland’s iconic sites. Join writer and broadcaster James Crawford as he talks to two of the twelve: Denise Mina- win of the Short Story Dagger for her story in this collecting, the 2017 McIlvanney Prize and Theakstons Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year Award( twice !); and Lin Anderson, best known as creator of the forensic scientist Rhona MacLeod series of crime thriller fictions, and her part in founding the Bloody Scotland crime-writing celebration itself. From murder in an Iron Age broch, to a dark psychological thriller set at Edinburgh Castle, uncover the intimate- and deadly- connections between people and places, as James guides you on a dangerous journey into the dark darkness of our nation’s houses- where passion, ferocity, longing and death collide!

4. 30 pm- 5.30 pm | PS8. 50

Peter Cairns: SCOTLAND: A Rewilding Journey

Not so long ago vibrant, wild forest stretched across much of Scotland. Beavers and cranes were at home in extensive wetlands. Salmon and trout filled the rivers. Lynx, wolf and wild boar roamed wooded glades. Today, it’s easy to be seduced by the raw beauty of the Scottish landscape, but it is sadly an ecological darknes of its former self.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Join conservation photographer Peter Cairns, who results the call for a new vision of a wilder Scotland, where woodlands abundant with life are regenerating, rivers lined with alder and willow operate freely, injury peatlands are revitalised and oceans support the great whales: a place where nature works as it should, wildlife prospers and crucially, where people prosper.

6. 00 pm- 7.00 pm | PS8. 50

Read more: glasgowtheatreblog.com