Guru Rinpoche Drubcho at Samye Ling.

Monk Gyamtso and Lama Yeshey Losal with Sangha and lay practitioners join to conduct Guru Rinpoche Drubcho in commemoration of 40th Anniversary of Kagyu Samye Ling.

Forth Road Bridge to North Fife

Forth Road Bridge A bumpy ride across a decaying bridge that needs replacement or radical refurbishment. Anyway, I made it home to North Fife after a very pleasant visit to Eskdalemuir.

Newburgh river Tay North Fife

Newburgh river Tay North Fife. For 29 years I have travelled this road and every time the view is different. Today the sun was cloud-bound and it was possible to shoot this wee video to show Newburgh, Mugdrum Island, the river Tay at lowish water and the Carse of Gowrie in a 180 degree sweep.

Red Deer in North Fife

Red Deer in North Fife can be found occasionally but usually Roe Deer are frequently seen as they run wild over the entire area. This example of a Red Deer Stag is at the deer farm near Auchtermuckty in North Fife run by John and Nichola Fletcher.

Silver Bird Broach made in North Fife.

Silver Bird Broach made in North Fife. Bird broach with moonstones hinged pin and clasp. At the time of making I was exploring the technique of repousse which allows one to create form out of sheet metal.

Sterling Silver Broach made in North Fife

Sterling Silver Broach made in North Fife. I was approached and asked to make a Granny piece of jewellery and given a silver cigarette case as part payment. This I melted down and converted into sheet and wire to produce what you see, it has a hinged pin and clasp. Actual size is about 2 inches diameter.

Lindores Loch North Fife

Lindores Loch North Fife. Looking North West from Dunbog farmland with Clatchard quarry in the distance eating into the hill which screens Newburgh and the River Tay.

Herbalism in North Fife

Herbalism in North Fife. Matthew Wood explores how herbs are not only invaluable for healing, but as reference points for exploring the natural world. He mixes descriptions from botanical and homeopathic literature with the clinical truths he has discovered as a healer.

Herbalism in North Fife My partner Kerstin has trained in Tibetan and Western Herbal Medicinal Practice, as a consequence our garden is home to many plants as well as various local growing habitats being known to us, for example the post below. There are many and in time I hope to post on other examples.

A recent revival of Western Herbalism, along with other systems of natural, traditional and holistic medicine, has brought to light a missing link, namely a system of medicine by which the herbs could be applied to the human body. Herbalism does not fit into modern biomedicine and the original system of medicine has disappeared. In contrast, a background philosophy and system of medicine accompanies homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. Now, this book resuscitates and brings Western Herbalism up to date in relation to the human body.

Bistort on the road to Abdie North Fife

Bistort, a wild medicinal plant that we grow in the garden, but this form has smaller leaves and an incredible dark pink flower instead of the usual lighter pink. The spring shoots and rhizomes can be cooked as a tonic. The astringent leaves and roots treat mouth ulcers, catarrh and bleeding gums as a gargle. It is anti-spasmodic and anti-bacterial. Another potentially useful plant in North Fife.

Abdie old church Gravestone North Fife

Abdie old church Gravestone bearing the name John Tod of Carnie Hall.

Abdie old church Lindores North Fife

Abdie old church Cemetery Lindores North Fife.