Bilean: Sacred Trees of Gaelic Scotland
In this article posted in Scotland’s Nature (23 June 2023), Roddy Maclean argues for a greater recognition of an ancient arboreal tradition in a Scottish Gaelic context. This helps to remind us of ‘an ancient spiritual connection between people and trees in Scotland that can inform and inspire today’.
The charms of bluebells – or the ‘cuckoo’s shoe’ – in Gaelic
Listen and learn from this brief audio/ video Facebook post from NatureScot.
‘The Life Story of the Adder’ through the Hebridean eyes of the ‘Adder King’
Roddy Maclean ‘reviews’ the remarkable 1924 publication by Lewisman Norman Morrison, in his day the foremost authority on adders - here. Leugh ann an Gàidhlig / Read in Gaelic
Everyone’s a winner
This post in Scottish Pollinators (19 January 2023) reports on Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Its Your Neighbourhood’winning projects, where communities are supporting biodiversity and engaging and educating local people. Yorkhill Greenspaces in Glasgow retained their Pollinator Friendly prize. Calling on the support of more than 100 volunteers, and 90 pupils from [...]
Spotted any badger activity this month?
This blogpost in Scotland’s Nature (25 October 2022) reveals aspects of the badger’s appearance in folklore and literature, and on Scotland’s Gaelic landscape. Read The Surly Animal of the Yellow Moon to discover links with badger activity and the full moon in October.
The month of the stags – the red deer rut
The evolving story of this iconic species in Scotland is a complex one. It is explored in this blog on Scotland’s Nature (20 October 2022). This also touches how our long connection with deer is reflected in the Gaelic language, and how deer impact on woodland in the landscape.
Kings and Queens in the Gaelic Landscape
In this Scotland’s Nature blog post (October 3, 2022) by NatureScot, Roddy Maclean looks at Gaelic ‘royal’ names in Scotland’s landscape.
Two Basking Fish of the West Highland summer
In this Scotland’s Nature blog post (August 29, 2022) Roddy Maclean shares his enthusiasm for two amazing summer visitors to our waters. He explores the gaelic names of both of these gentle giants of the sea – the basking shark and the sunfish. This post is also available in Gaelic.
