Dyking (Walling) in Deeside

Here an old drinking trough has been converted into a mounting place . Behind you can see a typical strictly coursed and dressed Deeside granite wall.

Minature Standing stone Circle

This group of standing stones appeared recently in a garden near me. Interesting that folk living in a modern estate still feel the link with the past.

Glen Lyon Gathering

Tom Beel sent me this , I hope to be there it promises to be a great event.

Training Course in Haiti

Canadian walling instructor Akira Inman ran this training course in Haiti. I gather great fun was had by all.

Nature Takes Over

My daughter Blanche took this photo of an old building at the foot of her garden. I am just back from the Chelsea Flower Show and feel sure an exhibit like that would have won a medal.

Medal Winner at Chelsea

The Slovenian garden was a delight to see at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. It represented the type of corbelled hut that the children of shepherds used when looking after the family cattle. All the plants were native to the Krass region of Slovenia. For more information go to Pepa's story .

Dandelion Design

This interesting feature was built by  George Weaver   and if you double click on the top photo you will see that the holes have been occupied by a small animal. since the work was completed.

Stones of Clava

There are several ancient chambered Cairns at Clava close to Inverness in Scotland. This is one of the many standing stones close by. These Pictish monuments are thought to be around 4000 years old.

The Stone Family of Glen Lyon

This is Tigh na Caillaigh (the house of the old woman) in a remote part of Glen Lyon. Legend has it that if  the old woman , the old man and their children are not brought out of the house in the Spring and returned in the Autumn then the crops will fail. So far this has not been tested as locals carry out the task as required. I was involved last year in a repair to the roof and walls. No one knows exactly when this was first done but is is likely to date back to pre Christian times. It was not noticed till after the work was completed that the rock in the middle of the removable doorway had a face on it. Now this is known as the guardian rock.

Outdoor Fireplace

Canadian waller Stephen Niven won a prize in 2009 with this fine dry stone fireplace. I especially like the chimney top. I have seen covers like this especially in Italy.
Back to Scottish features in the next entry. A little bit of legend from Glen Lyon.