Creich Church North Fife

Creich church is very old, it was originally Roman Catholic until the reformation and has since been presided over by many denominations and contains the mortal remains of many, of whom I intend to list in future posts. This part of North Fife gave rise to many eminent people who in their lives were instrumental and notable in their contribution to the life of their times.

Creich Church North Fife

Creich Church close to Creich Castle and the Hamlet of Brunton in North Fife

Old photograph Newburgh North Fife

Old photograph of Newburgh, taken at Mugdrum House by Robertson of Newburgh, in 1910.

Newburgh Indiana

Fiddle contest held each September on the banks of the Ohio River in Newburgh, Indiana. Associated festival also features crafts and a catfish fry. First settled in 1803, Newburgh is one of the oldest communities in southwestern Indiana. Newburgh is located on the banks of the scenic Ohio River, a few miles east of Evansville, Indiana. The charm of this historic village is contagious. We offer historic walking tours, Civil War history, riverfront walkway, parks, festivals, antiques, dining, and unique specialty shops. Greetings from Newburgh, Scotland.

Panoramic View North Fife

A panoramic view of North Fife from Glenduckie Hill, starting in the East taking in St Andrews on the horizon Dunbog, Lindores, the river Tay, Mugdrum Island off Newburgh and the Carse of Gowrie, Tayside.

Wild strawberries Glenduckie North Fife

If you're not there before me, I might get to enjoy the fruits.

More Lichen

It always seems to me that Lichens are such primordial plants and yet so beautiful, a joy to behold and comfortable to bask upon.

Resurgence

Billberries Glenduckie

Lichens Glenduckie Hill North Fife

Today, Though overcast I visited Glenduckie Hill, the weather was warm with nil wind and it was really good to stretch my legs, get out and enjoy my local environment. The walk up a track displayed on either side wild strawberry blossoms, celandine, the odd cluster of bluebells and in places uncoiling fronds of bracken through last years bleached foliage. Around the summit outcrops of rock are covered with lichens and bilberry plants already profuse in immature fruits, as with the wild strawberries easier to see now than when ripe. Above a panoramic video of North Fife, the Tay river and Dunbog.

North Fife Flora

Flora Celtica, Plants and People in Scotland documents the continuously evolving relationship between the Scots and their environment. Based on a mixture of detailed research and information provided by the public, this book explores the remarkable diversity of ways that native plants have been, and continue to be, used in Scotland. The information is presented in clear and accessible format and is laced with quotations, illustrations, case studies and practical tips. The book covers the complete spectrum of plant uses, addressing their diverse roles in our diet, healthcare, culture, housing, language, environment, crafts, and much more. It is ideal as a reference book and also a delight to dip into for all those with a passion for natural history. It is illustrated in colour throughout. Flora Celtica: Plants and People in Scotland.

North Fife Vet

A Veterinary Journal is a vet book, a diary based on my daily experiences with my many patients and their owners and the many stories are based on real life experiences. My vet books are about the daily life of a North Fife Vet and the animals, mostly people's best friends and pets, that make their lives and mine so rich and meaningful.

A Veterinary Journal

Entomology in North Fife

For many years I kept hives of honey bees and then I became a bee owner only as they became through genetic shift very aggressive and unmanageable. I now enjoy to watch and appreciate the far less aggressive solitary and bumble bees. I recommend this book which is a detailed and up-to-date account of the behaviour and ecology of bumblebees. This group of relatively large, colourful and familiar insects are a very popular subject of study because their behaviour can be observed without the use of elaborate equipment, enabling amateur and experienced entomologists alike to get close to these colourful and social creatures. Unlike honey bees, bumblebees work on plants with no nectar, and play a crucial role in the pollination of flowers and vegetables. The farming industry relies heavily on these efficient pollinators: few, if any bean flowers, for example, would set pods unless they were pollinated by bumblebees, and many apple, pear and plum trees rely on visits for a bountiful harvest. However, bumblebee populations have recently suffered alarming decline, with three of the UK populations already extinct and another nine on the endangered species list. A further decline in numbers could have a serious economic impact on the farming industry. In light of this, bumblebees have been a source of much interest, and detailed research and field studies over the past decade have brought them into the public eye and raised awareness of their plight. "New Naturalist - Bumblebees" is an entirely new addition to the increasingly popular New Naturalist series, and is written by an expert in the field. Ted Benton combines 15 years of his own field studies of the species with all the latest research and findings, to provide a detailed and comprehensive account of the lives of the 25 species of bumblebee found throughout the UK, which includes: acclaimed colour photographs of the sexes and castes of all species; detailed photographs of the bumblebee habitats; detailed key to help aid identification, and original anatomical line drawings; information on identification features, foraging behaviour and distribution; latest findings on conservation status and habitat requirements.Bumblebees (Collins New Naturalist)

The Environment

The Lichen Hunters is an enthusiastic account of the early years of a burgeoning ecological movement - The British Lichen Society. Formed in 1958 the society created a complete listing of all British lichens. Lichens are like a multitude of small watchmen recording the progress of pollution across the countryside. They are indicators of air-quality, traffic pollution, fertilisers and acid rain. They are also, as far as Oliver Gilbert and his fellow lichenologists are concerned, things of incredible beauty and mystery. His enthusiasm is infectious. Lichenologists bear comparison with the original Victorian plant hunters in their willingness to travel widely, and endure extreme weather in their pursuit of a rare specimen. Part travelogue and part social history of the British Lichen Society, The Lichen Hunters will charm readers and be a valuable addition to the ecological canon.The Lichen Hunters

Fife rocky outcrop

The very varied landscape in North Fife abounds in rich geology which supports all kinds of vegetation. Over the coming weeks I hope to post random examples along with other subjects as may crop up.

Driving from Flisk to Newburgh

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From Flisk to Newburgh along the coast road of the river Tay. We pass Logie Farm cottages followed by a veterinary practice on the left. One mile or so to the right is Ballinbriech farm and Castle, after the woods we rise up to the site of the Battle of Blackearnside where William Wallace defeated the English in 1298. Dropping down we pass Parkhill farm where the steadings are being converted into housing. Followed on the right by the ruins of Lindores Abbey.

St Andrews Golf

The Royal and Ancient St Andrews old course golf club house from the 18th green.

Carpow Long boat

CARPOW LOG-BOAT EXHIBITION OPENS
A COLOURFUL and interesting exhibition of photographs about the now famous Carpow log-boat has opened at the Laing Museum in Newburgh.
At around 3000 years old, the log-boat dates from the late Bronze Age and is the second oldest vessel of its type to be found in Scotland.
It was discovered in 2001 and recovered from the bed of the River Tay last year.
The photographs follow the boat from its discovery in the Tay through the long process of recovery to its eventual arrival in Newburgh, where it was met by a BBC film crew.
The log-boat is currently undergoing extensive conservation work at the National Museums of Scotland and the exhibition offers the opportunity to find out about its progress to date.
The exhibition also contains a number of interesting archaeological finds from the Bronze Age period as well as a selection of objects found in the Newburgh area during excavations or by metal detectorists.
Objects on display include flint arrowheads, stone axeheads, pottery food vessels, funeral urns, brooches and seals.
The exhibition has been put together in conjunction with Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust and runs until September 30, from noon-5 p.m. daily.

Getting Ahead In Newburgh

Fife Arts Co-operative, a group of artists based at the newly developed Steeple in Newburgh, formally the Town Hall is very pleased to announce that Jeanette Sendler has been appointed to be the Steeple’s first Artist in Residence.

Jeanette, was among twenty four applicants for the ‘Plum Job’ post, which is funded through the Scottish Arts Council Partners Scheme. Her post is a year long residency as an artist working with textiles/fibre to explore the past and present relationship of the community to the land in Newburgh.

Jeanette offers many skills as an artist working with textiles including millinery, costume design, felting and knitting. She also has experience of community based residencies in Scotland and further afield.

The residency will also give Jeanette the opportunity to spend a whole year in Newburgh and to develop her own work in response to the Plum Job brief until next spring.

Representatives from community partners including Fife Arts Co-operative, Newburgh Orchard Group, Newburgh Garden Orchard Group, and Newburgh Primary School were involved in the interviewing process and are now looking forward to hearing more about Jeanette’s ideas for the residency.