This is a story of the devil hunting a soul and losing it to the sacred ground of Birnie Kirkyard. This is an ancient place, the church itself is one of the oldest in Scotland. Christians have worshipped here since the 12th century and the Celts centuries earlier. Birnie was the cathedral to the Bishop... Continue Reading →
What do you think when you look at Kirkmichael? A place of worship, prayers, peace, memory, and community? Or do you think large kitchen-diner, open living space, and lots of character? As an estate agent would put it: the answer to your prayers? Kirkmichael is not one of the prettiest churches in Scotland but it... Continue Reading →
In days without a king or during a royal minority, a guardian was elected to lead nobles and realm. David II was born in 1329, the year his father Robert I died. A hero father who cast a long shadow. David was too young to rule and it proved too dangerous for him to remain... Continue Reading →
Sometimes Scotland overwhelms you with an incredible infusion of light, especially in winter when the days are short and the sun is a rare event in grey times. Light that sparks the joy of being. Just like that. Even on a graveyard. Daviot church on an afternoon in January can be breathtaking, in any other... Continue Reading →
There are many Pictish stones in Moray, most of them stand lonely in some field or other somewhere along the roadside, often fenced-in with a small sign giving a few an explanations. They usually do not differ very much to the untrained eye, prior knowledge of Pictish symbolism often helps. The Sueno stone is an... Continue Reading →
There are more than enough romantic ruins in Moray but Kinloss is a special one as it was not only one of the greatest religious powerhouses of its time, it was also home to an interesting business idea. The three key words are Cistercians, Reformation and Cromwell. Founded in 1150 by the saintly King David... Continue Reading →
The Wolf of Badenoch and the destruction of Elgin Cathedral History tells us many things - battles fought, lands lost or gained, it mentions titles, deeds and marriage contracts but very rarely does it tell us anything about the humans affected by those facts. When it comes to women the information gets even scarcer. Their... Continue Reading →
Truth is eternal. Death is the last truth. The end of every man’s life is the common denominator. We all share and face eventually one truth: death. Man’s longing for individuality and uniqueness on the other hand generate a need to differ, even in death. Graveyards are in most Middle European cultures a very diverse... Continue Reading →
Flames licking, devouring, purifying, killing. Fire rituals have played a vital role among many cultures in the past. The Vikings sent burning ships into the sea, the Indians burned widows and the Roman Catholics witches. Few of the Rituals have survived in Scotland, the Up Helly Aa on Shetland and the Burning of the Clavie at... Continue Reading →
Graveyards of Scotland 
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