The Scottish Game Fair 2024 was a fun-packed three days of everything countryside. It’s the first countryside focussed event of the year to include clay
Author: Linda Mellor
Scottish Game Fair 2024
Scottish Game Fair 2024 takes place at Scone, Perthshire on 5th, 6th and 7th of July. The three day Scottish countryside fair is full of
Flaming June with snow
Flaming June with snow is not what we’d typically expect this month. The weather has given us a few surprises, and none more so than
Nature loves May showers
Nature loves May showers. While much of the population hoped the warm, dry weather marked the arrival of summer, the rain ensured our gardens blossomed
The Northern lights of May
The Northern lights of May were spectacular. Nearly everyone caught sight of the colourful display. A remote location without light pollution wasn’t required to see
Nature always makes progress
Nature always makes progress throughout the year. Watching the local stags late last night, it was interesting to note increased antler growth. The May weather
Big changes for summer
Big changes for summer. It’s a busy time for nature, both feathered and fur. Late last month we heard the Cuckoo. The bird returns each
Argocat is an essential tool
The Argocat is an essential tool. Relied upon by rural workers across Scotland, the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) is ideal for getting around the estate
Deerly Beloved Forever
Deerly Beloved Forever. Last month I wrote a piece on my lifelong love of deer and the need for a more positive narrative. We have
Happiness and Ostara
Happiness and Ostara. It’s worth noting that tomorrow is the International Day of Happiness! It coincides neatly with tomorrow also being the Spring or Vernal
The Scottish Polar Express
The Scottish Polar Express is the name given to the train service running from Oban to Glasgow. It passes through Rannoch, my local station. The
A sad wildlife tale
A sad wildlife tale. It’s always disheartening to witness any wildlife injured or distressed. If we can help, we will not hesitate. However, on occasions
Storm Isha creates havoc
Storm Isha creates havoc. Once again Scotland, and surprisingly, most of the UK faced weather warnings of another storm touching down late on Sunday. The
Talking about the weather
Talking about the weather. We all do it. When you feed animals or live in a rural setting, knowledge of the weather is highly important.
New Year new post
New Year new post. That’s the way it starts in 2024. We are four days in, and taking advantage of the quiet time to complete
Book promotion day 2
Book promotion day 2. It’s all about stepping outside my comfort zone. Doing short videos to promote my latest book and answer questions is fun.
New Book for Christmas
New Book for Christmas. On 16th December, 2023, I published my memoir. My latest book is called, ‘The Confessions and Life Lessons of a Country
Scottish deer comment 2023
Scottish deer comment 2023. Deer have been a favourite of mine since early childhood, and I am always delighted to write about them. They’re also
Happy St Andrews Day
Happy St Andrew’s Day. It’s the 30 November 2023, and it’s St Andrew’s day here in Scotland
BDS local branch visit to Creag Meagaidh
BDS local branch visit to Creag Meagaidh. The visit to the National Nature Reserve gave a welcome insight into the management of wild deer and
Nature is a great healer
Nature is a great healer. Most of us feel better when we have spent time outdoors. From a morning dog walk to an afternoon stroll
Morning magic and Unicorns
Morning magic and Unicorns. Don’t we all need a sprinkle of magic in our lives? Uplifting morning light to a glimpse of a wild creature,
Special places around us
Special places around us. Scotland is a scenic country, it is blessed with many beautiful locations. Many of them are visited by people from across
Misty morning November landscape
Misty morning November landscape. Monday early morning mist travelled slowly across the landscape. The mist cloaked the hills and hid the loch as the sun
November rain and mist
November rain and mist. November often presents wonderful photographic opportunities. Damp days and lingering mists in the hills above the trees look magical especially when
BDS visit Creag Meagaidh
BDS visit Creag Meagaidh. On Saturday 28th October 2023, members of the BDS (British Deer Society) Highland Branch visited the Creagh Meagaidh National Nature Reserve
October sunlight on Birch Tree
October sunlight on Birch Tree. Sunlight uplifts the soul, it makes all the bad things good again. It is a positive influence, and an essential
Morning moon and sunlight
Morning moon and sunlight. A morning walk lit by the sun and looked upon by the moon is a perfect start to the day. October’s
Birch symbolic of renewal
Birch symbolic of renewal. In Celtic mythology, the birch is associated with the Tree of Life and was said to represent the link between the
Red deer in Scotland
Red deer in Scotland. The largest UK population of red deer can be found in Scotland. Scottish stags are sometimes referred to as the “Monarch
Sunrise over Loch Rannoch
Sunrise over Loch Rannoch is feast for the yes. It is a great way to start your day with an uplifting scene!
Push boundaries go deerstalking
Push boundaries go deerstalking. If you are looking to do something different, worthwhile, and responsible for the countryside consider going roe deer stalking. Scotland has
Barking bucks and roaring stags
Barking bucks and roaring stags. Autumn is perhaps one of the most active times of the year in the Highlands. The overnight freezing temperatures have
Remote snowy cold October
Remote snowy cold October. The weather has been wild this October. It has caused untold damage, lives have been lost and many have been put
The Stags are back
The Stags are back. The red deer rut seems to be drawing to a close. The wild stormy weather has probably hastened the end of
Light, weather and Loch
Light, weather and Loch. When they all come together like this it is stunning. The light from the sunrise, the low mist on a still
Supporting our Red Squirrels
Supporting our Red Squirrels. We are fortunate to have regular visits from Red Squirrels. They visit the garden most days to feed on nuts, and
October sunsets and roaring stags
October sunsets and roaring stags. This weekend we witnessed our first skiff of October snow. It’s a much needed drop in temperate to propel the
GWCT 2023 Schools Art Competition
GWCT 2023 Schools Art Competition. From the GWCT: “Our annual art competition launches every August.” GWCT 2023 Schools Art Competition. Get creative and share your
Your handwriting is personal
Your handwriting is personal. It is like you, unique, however, it seems to be a forgotten art these days. Years ago, and before the digital
A snowy October outlook
A snowy October outlook. It is not rare to have snow fall in the highlands in late October. The weather during October, to date, has
An appreciation for Deer
An appreciation for deer. The biggest land mammal in the UK, and Scotland’s finest beastie. In Gaelic they are called Fiadh Ruadh, and have long
Monday morning welcome light
Monday morning welcome light. After a weekend of prolonged heavy rain and floods, Scotland braced for more rain overnight. Thankfully, it rained very little and
Wet weather of October
Wet weather of October. Scotland-wide weather alerts warned us of a danger to life as the rain fell and water levels rose. Some alerts in
Autumn is soul food
Autumn is soul food. There is something about this time of year no other season can beat. It’s the display from Mother Nature. From colourful
Red deer rut Scotland
Red deer rut Scotland. The red deer rut takes place in Autumn, in Scotland. Rutting stags are the mature red deer males challenging others and
Water, rain, full and flowing
Water, rain, full and flowing. October is a month of active nature. The temperatures dip, the wind picks up and the low light of the
Positive news for salmon
Positive news for salmon. Our salmon numbers have been in decline for decades. There are many factors responsible for their decline, from warming sea temperatures
Embracing October’s Autumn Palette
Embracing October’s Autumn Palette. It is one of the most spectacular months for colour and change. The slow and steady approach of winter can be
Over 55 years self-employed
Over 55 self-employed. If you are over fifty five, self-employed and online, what is your favourite platform for business, and for work? An article in
Is age the barrier?
Is age the barrier? It’s a subject I have pondered on quite a lot recently in my business. If you are a woman within my
Lookout for Lyme Disease
Lookout for Lyme Disease. Here in Scotland, ticks transmit Lyme disease (also known as Lyme borreliosis). Lyme disease is the most common disease carried by
September and the rain
September and the rain. Looking through my photo archives it’s interesting to compare the weather each year. Depending on what app you use on your
Warm weather animal sightings
Warm weather animal sightings. During the unseasonably high temperatures, our wildlife will change behaviour and be more visible. Often the most active time for wildlife
Scotland’s stag stalking season
Scotland’s stag stalking season. The deer stalking season for stags starts on 1st July through to 20th October. It’s a busy time for deer stalkers
A countryside gathering at Moy
A countryside gathering at Moy took place on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 August, 2023. Traditionally Moy Country Fair, it used to be know as
Moy Country Fair 2023
Moy Country Fair 2023 opens tomorrow and we’re all very excited about it. You can find me on the GWCT stand over the two days.
The Game Fair 2023
The Game Fair 2023 is on this weekend at Ragley Hall, in Warwickshire. It’s a huge event, with acres of all things countryside, and a
The weather has an impact
The weather has an impact on activities. As the seasons change and slip into the next, we need to find ways to adapt. After a
For the Love of Country Sports
For the Love of Country Sports 2023 is out now and can be purchased on Amazon worldwide. Whatever your location you can buy it! However,