Tag Archives: Scotland

November 6, 2018 · 3:32 pm

Glen Clova ~ a gem of a journey for creative inspiration

We were talking about trips to the mountains from Fife with our local artist and friend Douglas Gray and he mentioned Glen Clova and described how to reach it via Dundee. Douglas returns there frequently for inspiration for his painting, but for me it was a taster day to reinvigorate my ‘little brain cells’.

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Around fifteen miles north of Dundee you reach the little town of Forfar, the birthplace of James Matthew Barrie, the author of Peter Pan. Glen Clova can be reached on the other side of Forfar; a beautiful drive through the lowland hills towards the mountains ~ the Cairngorms. A five hour walk from Glen Clova itself will take you to Breamar so I’m told. The settlement itself is tiny; the hotel and various log cabins are dotted up the hill behind it.

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At the base of these foothills is Hotel Glen Clova, a great place for lunch, refreshments to break up your drive or to enjoy at the end of a lovely walk, of which there are many. It is one of those places we will return to, maybe to stay the night on a special occasion when we can set out on a hike for a full day.

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As the view of the hills leads your eyes into the far distance, and you breathe in the fresh clean air, it clears your head to be refilled with renewed creativity.

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August 30, 2018 · 7:40 pm

St Monan’s ~ One of the Gems of The Fife Coast

The folks of Edinburgh all know the secret of East Neuk, a coastal region in Fife where the estuary of The River Forth merges with The North Sea. Each village has it’s own character and features; St Monan’s being just one of those places.

‘Neuk is the Scots work for nook or corner,’ Wikipedia informs us, and the ‘corner of Fife’ aptly describes East Neuk, omitting any reference to its natural charm and beauty.

East Neuk stretches from Earlsferry and Elie (my last post) to Kingsbarns, and each wee place has a unique character. Incidentally Mac Duff is said to have fled from Mac Beth via the ferry to the southern coast of the estuary. Hence the name Earlsferry!

From Lady Tower in Elie and passing the ruins of Newark Castle along Rose Bay you have a fairly gentle walk to St Monan’s. The path follows the rocks below this tiny kirk at low tide, but there is a detour behind the village to avoid getting your feet wet when the tide is high.

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St Monan’s Harbour

The colourfully painted cottages along the harbour frontage lead you towards The Smokehouse; a restaurant where you can eat out of cardboard boxes whilst overlooking both harbour and the view towards The Isle of May. Alternatively there’s the more cosy option of The Diving Gannet, a wee cafe just off the harbour. Both places are well worth visiting for much needed refreshments, but maybe on different visits!

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My Husband Poised in Anticipation

Following the Coastal Path signs out of the village you pass the salt pans from days gone by, when Fife exported salt overseas. Then there’s the windmill, which has appropriately been turned into a lifeguard station, from which there are clear views in all directions, if the weather is fair.

It is good to pause and reflect a wee while in each of the fishing harbours of East Neuk; think on their similarities and difference, the ambiance and their sense of community; before continuing your journey along the Fife Coastal Path, which was the inspiration for my book.

Diana Jackson is the author of ‘The Healing Paths of Fife.’ 

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May 15, 2018 · 7:58 pm

Diana’s Virtual Tour of Fife ~ back home in Kinghorn

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Returning home a moment from my virtual tour of Fife, here’s just a wee taster of a poem in The Healing Paths of Fife:

Ode to Kinghorn

You stole my heart

the moment we met

as I gazed down from the Braes.

The warm sun

captured in the palm of your hand

even on the coldest winter morning.

The amphitheatre of

Victorian elegance and fishermen’s cottages mingling,

reflecting that warmth.

The unforgettable welcome of the Wee Shoppe

where gossip’s shared and friendships forged.

Oh Kinghorn! How I thank you

for taking us in and giving us a home.

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This was the first view we had of Kinghorn and it showered me with inspiration!

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