Monday Meander.

It works!  Now it is becoming much cooler, and the day becomes shorter, it is wonderful to set up the stove.  It takes minutes to get going, and from then on radiates heat throughout the downstairs of the house.  The picture above shows the wood 'catching', but once that has happened everything gets turned down and one, two, maximum three lumps of wood have us feeling cosy, all evening.

Minerva McGonagall is comfortable in the bedroom.  So all is well with the world.

Soon it will be time to pack away the garden furniture.  Once the strong winds come I do not want to see the odd chair heading for the North Sea, or the neighbours.

Whoops, naughty birds.  Fear not, they never flower, which as I understand the cultivation  is such that it needs to before you can start making money.  Its a shame to be illegal to grow it, as it is quite bonny, but to be on the safe side, best pull it up.  But then again....

East Rathen Church.  This church is up the road from us and to the right a bit, its a few miles from actual Rathen.  But the way churches were built way back is fascinating.  Or should I say why and where they were built.

Gothic church of 1842 with subsequent alterations and extensions. T-plan with later octagonal spirelet. Squared rubble with pinnings typical of the area. Fixed pews in the gallery and moveable seating in the nave.

The parish of Rathen is said to be one of the most ancient in the county of Aberdeen, and at one time contained within its limits the greater part of the parish of Strichen, and a part of the parish of Fraserburgh. The church and teinds, it is said, were at an early period appropriated to the Cathedral of the diocese, the incumbent of the benefice becoming the stipendiary of that establishment, till its dissolution at the Reformation.

' there was about the tyme of morneing prayer for diverse dayes togithir, hard in the church a queire of musicke, both of woces, organes, and other instruementes, and with such a ravisheing sweetnes that they ware transported which, in numbers, resorted to heire it with unspeakable pleasure and never wiried delight. The preacher on day being much takin with the harmonie, went with diverse of his parisheners in to the church, to try if there eyes could beare witnes to what there eares had hard, but they ware no sooner entred when, lo, the musicke ceassed with a long not, or stroke of a wioll de gambo; and the sound came from ane upper lofte where the people used to heare service, but they could see nothing.' 

This report is from the church prior to it being re-built in 1842.  Spooky! 

And here is a close encounter with a couple of deer.

Meandering on a Monday.

Rattray, Rattray Head and Strathbeg.

Rattray was settled as far back as 4000 BC.  It was largely destroyed in the 18th century by a storm which covered it in shifting sands.

St. Mary's Chapel, the only remaining building.

Rattray  Head lighthouse was built in stages and began working in 1895.  It was designed by David Alan Stevenson and Charles Alexander Stevenson.  A request for a lighthouse had been made year on year prior to this, it was one of the worst places for ships foundering.  It was not until massive works were going on at Peterhead Harbour that the money was grudgingly found.  It cost just over £18,000.   They were spending upwards of £500,000 at Peterhead.  Presumably if ships kept hitting the rocks at Rattray the port of Peterhead would have fewer boats in its harbour and lose money....

A Lighthouse Keeper with his family.

Now I know why I learned semaphore in the Brownies.  Just in case I married a Lighthouse Keeper.

The Lighthouse became automatic in 1982.  So she could put the flags away.

The terrific storm in 1720 created the Loch of Strathbeg.

Prior to the storm it was an estuary and one boat was trapped as the way out to sea was no longer there.  It was a small vessel laden with slates.  Subsequently the slates were used for roofs at nearby Crimond and Haddo House.

Latest water colour from that infamous woman down the shed.


Rattray Head Lighthouse .  (I am reliably informed that lighthouses are not straight and the Stevensons designed them this way to survive the weather - and there was me thinking I had it squinty.)  (But, then again......)

Another busy day - but wearing a different hat.

First thing I was back at the Lighthouse Museum.  Taking down our art works from the walls of the cafe, and then displaying the art work of Isobel Gregory.  A free cup of coffee and testing out some home bakes meant I stayed longer than I should!  (and I was the only artist who had sold a painting).  Yay.


Then it was a change of hats and I metamorphosed into the secretary of the Best Of Banffshire and Buchan Bed and Breakfasts.  (As explained previously although I have retired from being a b&b provider I am still kept on as Hon Sec.) (cos no-one else wants to do it.)


I had arranged for us to visit....Aden Country Park, have lunch in the cafe , then have the Book of Deer Exhibition opened up for us (usually open only at weekends.)




Aden, often referred to as “the jewel in the Buchan crown” has been recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces with a prestigious Green Flag Award. The awards recognise and reward the best parks in the country and Aden impressed the judges with its excellent use of green space, well-maintained facilities and high standard of safety and security.  Late August it also hosts the Pipe Band Competition.  That is when I have my annual spine melt down.  Massed Pipe Bands.  Better than s*x.




Situated in the heart of the park lies a semi-circular farmstead building built around 1800 and a coach house built in 1832. This now houses the award winning Aberdeenshire Farming Museum, containing a Recognised Collection of National Significance awarded by the Scottish Museums Council (SMC).

There is also a Working Farm Musem, everything as done in the 1950s.


It also houses the Book of Deer Project, and exhibition, which was opened up for us today.




The Book of Deer is a tenth century illuminated manuscript from North East Scotland. As the only pre-Norman manuscript from this area known as “former Pictland” it provides us with a unique insight into the early church, culture and society of this period. Amid the Latin text and the Celtic illuminations there can be found the oldest pieces of Gaelic writing to have survived from early Medieval Scotland.

Dont you just love the last one!  Could this be a happy woman!  Or one like me - too much of the mead.


The original manuscript has a chequered history ( lots of kings and archbishops) (werent they always the baddies) of who owned it down the ages, it is currently in Cambridge University.  If you want to know why a Scottish manuscript is in Cambridge University, I suggest you go on to the website, www.bookofdeer.co.uk


What I wasnt expecting, (its good to have friends!) was Derek, a local historian, giving us a tour, explaining the archaeologistic work going on, previous, current and future to establish where the monks that produced the Book of Deer lived.  Derek was dressed as a monk.  I hadnt realised this and when he moved I screamed as I thought he was a carboard cut out, which does actually stand in the doorway.

Derek then walked those who could (some of us drove there, it wasn't  far, but we have hip replacements, knee replacements and me with shot lungs). to the village of Old Deer, this is one amazing ancient village.  And to the Church of Scotland there where there the really interesting bits of buildings which indicate the church is far older than once thought.  In fact pre dating the existence of the Church of Scotland.

So many spooky memorials and grave stones.  Note the skull here, and as someone said , "Is that Yorick?"  and there was only me who said, "I knew him well."  Did they do Shakespeare in Scotland?


And this is a finger sun dial.

Now is not that just awesome?  Stick your finger in the hole and it will tell you what time it is.  Three minutes past your thumb.


Sometimes, dear bloggers, what you have organised for others comes right.  Big sigh of relief and go get a glass of....