Hi kids, a wee word this time round about somebody you will hear a lot about in the next 20 years or so.   His name is Robert Burns, long time dead but arguably the most famous Scots person, according to some, but at least in the top half dozen. However given...

Hello bonnie weans, hope your reading is ok, if not keep at it and take help if you can!!   This short piece is a bit random, it’s mostly focused on an event known by those in the know as ‘Woodstock’, a title passed on from decade to decade from the late 1960’s,...

First of January 2022, today, a new year for all of us who are still here, on the planet. Amongst the possibly millions of people who died in the last few days across our world is my friend Liz. She passed on the 29th December, suddenly, an aneurism striking down a...

Hello, about this time of year, the week between Christmas and New Year, many people are looking to make statements of intent to ‘do something’ in the near future, often ‘next year’. This is called by some a New Year Resolution. Top hits are weight loss, fitness...

Dearest Grandkids,   It’s the 1st of November, 2021 today. A big event is beginning in Glasgow called COP26.   COP is an abbreviation of Conference Of the Parties, which in turn is a shortened form ofThe global climate summit wrapping up in Glasgow is known...

My darling grandkids, again working on the assumption you all, one of you, may read some of these ‘bundles of words’, one day, I flag this one up for consideration.   In a few weeks I’ll be writing this ‘blog’ about an event to mark a fifty years anniversary, in...

In the past weeks, Scotland, - ‘Who is ‘Scotland’ when things like this happen?’ - appointed a new Scots Makar - see below - to take a line of their own and spread the word of, mostly poetry, across Scotland. It’s a good thing but as always could be more effective...

I heard a line today that suggested that poets had a lot in common with police officers. Apparently, it’s accepted that society needs them, but you have to be a prick to want to be one. So, apologies for bozzer to the rozzers, everywhere. Handshakes all round.  ...

My darling grandchildren, where ere you are when reading this as I write it on a day in mid August in 2021, my love remains with you - where ere I am. It’s arms wrap around you like a wool coat. My wishes for safety and future contentment and love for you from all...

A couple of weeks ago I spent 5 nights at Moniach Mhor, in the Scottish Highlands, 15 miles south of Inverness. It’s a residential retreat, described as one of Scotlands writing centres. It’s located 15 miles from Inverness, in the hills near Abriachan, en route to...