Tag Archives: wilderness

Procession to late autumn

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Annie O'Garra Worsley

From Red River Croft it is possible track the procession of sunsets over the calendrical year, solstice to solstice. Across the Inner Sound the midwinter sun descends quickly behind the undulating hills below Skye’s Old Man of Storr while in … Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, Autumn, Autumnal equinox, birds, coasts, crofting, encounters with wildlife, environment, experiencing nature, nature, nature writing, Scotland, Skye, weather, wilderness, wildlife encounters | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

North winds, ice veils and winter loss

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Annie O'Garra Worsley

Southerly winds at this time of year often seem angry. To reach us here they must be funnelled through the narrows between Skye’s Cuillin mountains and the heights of Knoydart to then sweep past Applecross. Bursting from confinement at the … Continue reading →

Posted in death, environment, experiencing nature, landscape, landscape photography, nature, nature writing, Scotland, sea, Skye, snow, storm, weather, winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Limestone homecoming and olive trees

Posted on October 5, 2017 by Annie O'Garra Worsley

For a few years I took groups of university students to Mallorca. It was both a privilege and a pleasure; hard work but great fun. Through fieldwork we investigated the island’s mountain and coastal landscapes and tried to piece together … Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, beaches, Formentor, karst, limestone, Lluc, Mallorca, Mediterranean, Mediterranean holidays, Mediterranean vegetation, olive groves, olive trees, rillenkaren, Serra de Tramuntana, terraces, university teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Wild meetings and mirages

Posted on May 29, 2017 by Annie O'Garra Worsley

A heron-grey early dawn. Through my open window wet scented air slipped in. It smelled wonderful. After days of heat that has bleached bog mosses and sucked moisture from soil, the rain was very welcome. Scents slicked over my tongue … Continue reading →

Posted in beaches, birds, coasts, encounters with wildlife, environment, environment, experiencing nature, landscape, nature, wilderness, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The fantastic beasts (of Trotternish) and where to find them

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Annie O'Garra Worsley

Buffeting breezes and grey rains have returned yet the signs of spring are manifold. There are snowdrops gasping in wide open surprise at the lack of snow and ice, crocuses vibrating in purple and orange and daffodil spears bursting through turf … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, experiencing nature, geology, landforms, landscape, legend, mountains, myth, nature, photography, sea, Skye, Trotternish, walking, wilderness, wildlife, winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Wildness at the door

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Annie O'Garra Worsley

Autumn is in full swing everywhere with a rich basket of berries, nuts, fungi and assorted swatches of vibrant colours painted haphazardly across everything. I am home in the Highlands after a short visit to Paris, via London. Both cities … Continue reading →

Posted in Autumn, city, environment, experiencing nature, flaneuse, landscape, nature, parks, walking, wilderness, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wild storm bounty, sea birds and blooming heather

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Annie O'Garra Worsley

A short, blast of extreme weather in the Highlands recently brought flooding and a heat wave; and lots of midges. These wildly fluctuating conditions light up the landscape with flashing colour and humming vibrancy, as if the end-of-summer days must … Continue reading →

Posted in coasts, environment, experiencing nature, landscape, nature, peatbogs, photography, river, sea, storm, wilderness, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Washing and drying along the river bank

Posted on May 22, 2016 by Annie O'Garra Worsley

As it trickled through the recent days of heat our ‘Red River’ reddened, becoming shallower, its music softer. The Abhain Dearg took on the colour of old blood and its stones and pebbles shone in rust and bronze. Some of the … Continue reading →

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A wild, light and dark, magical mid-winter turning of the world

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Annie O'Garra Worsley

The world is turning, there is a palpable sense of shifting and change. It is the winter solstice and after today, the hours of sunlight will begin to slowly, steadily increase. But the last few days leading up to the … Continue reading →

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A sea-eagle-wild

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Annie O'Garra Worsley

Outside the wind is blowing fierce and cold, sweeping thick greyness across the Minch to hurl icy showers hard against the windows.   The mountains are snow-clad and the Red River has over-topped its banks. A new burn has appeared … Continue reading →

Posted in environment, experiencing nature, nature, wilderness, wildlife | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments