Poetry – Matthew McKinnon's Blog

An Autumn Break in the Trossachs

It was lovely to have a few days in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park late in September, and although it was at the start of the Autumn season, the weather was more like a good day in summer here in Scotland!

We were staying in a beautiful little cottage at Gartmore, just a one hour’s drive from Glasgow, so this opened up to us some of our favourite haunts, and no surprise then, when I say we took lots of photos.

After a good night’s rest we headed for the ‘three loch forest drive,’ which you enter at the summit of the ‘Duke’s Pass’. It is a restricted area and to gain access there is a £3.00 charge at the entrance barrier. Speed is restricted to 10mph so it is a beautiful relaxed drive, with lots of stopping places, and walks and seats, and a picnic area with toilet facilities. We like to go in August when the heather is out, but the changing colours in the Autumn, in the trees and hedgerows made us think that September too, was also a great choice! So here’s a few pics from our Forest Drive.

As we left the forest drive trail we were very near to Loch Katrine so we had a walk and seat by the side of the loch, and before dinner took some sunset photos at the Lake of Menteith. Here’s some more photos.

On our final day we had an early morning visit to Kinlochard, and in the afternoon a drive over the hill to Callendar and the Woollen Mill there. Now some final photos!

At the Woollen Mill we smiled when we noticed they were selling bags of food to allow the tourists to feed the Highland cows! There is always someone with a novel idea for making a bob or two 🙂

Well it was nice to be away for a few days, without listening to the news bulletins, with their daily dose of bad news. and being able to eat out in the relaxed ‘Faerie Tree Restaurant’ in Aberfoyle in the early evening. Time then for a good read and another cup of tea before bed.

At that time I was reading Justin Brierley’s book ‘The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism grew Old, and Secular Thinkers are considering Christianity again”. Early in the book he was quoting from the poem by Matthew Arnold – “the interesting thing about the sea of Faith is there’s no reason why it can’t come back in. The sea doesn’t only withdraw you know, it’s the point of tides.”

This is not the place for a book review, but I would recommend it, as it covers a wide range of topics which the writer believes points to a firm foundation for belief and faith in God.

Today I’ll close with a lovely Christian hymn speaking about the God of Creation.

Hope you enjoy the photos and this beautiful video.

So I wish you God’s blessing wherever you are, thanks for coming on to the blog, and I hope you’ll come again. You may like to subscribe.

Matthew

Oh, to be in Scotland now that April’s here!

**Sitting in the garden, with sunshine and a blue sky is something special in April.**

Well, I know the famous poem by Robert Browning that many of us learned at school says, ‘Oh, to be in England’, so forgive me for stealing his strap line. However April has been a special month this year here in Scotland in 2025, with temperatures reaching 22.8 degrees C in the North, this against a seasonal average of around 13 degrees! This enabled us to get out and about, as is our want, and also to get many jobs done in the garden. Here are some garden photos.

Our outings to the local park, and to Loch Lomond, were all taken in the sunshine, which was a real bonus after the winter months. I hope the following photos encourage you to visit Scotland 🙂

We also had a lovely weekend with our family at Skelmorlie, near to Largs. Here are some photos taken there on the Clyde Coast.

In April we have also been enjoying our fellowship with friends at our Church in Pollokshaws, Glasgow, with participation in some of the many events that take place from week to week. You can see our programme and listen to our services at greenviewchurch.co.uk and on You Tube.

As I write this I am well aware of the fact that this is ‘Good Friday’, surely amongst the most significant and solemn dates in the Christian calendar. On this day we remember that Jesus Christ God’s Son finished the work His Father had given Him to do. The Apostle Peter writes to believers about it in his first letter recorded in the Bible at chapter 2:22-25 Writing about Jesus’ death Peter says, “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. ”When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

But Sunday’s coming, surely the most joyous date in the Christian calendar for all who love Jesus! Perhaps we will sing one of my favourite hymns this Sunday morning! If you live in or around Glasgow, why not come and join with us as we celebrate? Details in the leaflet shown above.

Here are the words of one of my favourite Easter victory hymns :-

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus, my Saviour – Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord. Vainly they watch His bed, Jesus my Saviour – Vainly they seal the dead Jesus, my Lord. Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus my Saviour, He tore the bars away Jesus my Lord. Chorus (sung after each of the above stanzas) : Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o’er His foes; – He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign; He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

So this is Scotland in April, it has been a great month, and I look forward to celebrating Christ’s resurrection this coming Sunday. I hope you are able to do that too, wherever you are.

Greetings from Glasgow – Matthew

2025 Another stage started on Life’s Journey.

IT’S BEEN A BUSY START!

This year we spent the first day of January with family and friends at Skelmorlie on the Clyde coast, at the home of my son Allan and wife Jacqui. The best of cuisine in the best of company. On the second day of January we met again at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for ‘The Messiah’ presentation by the Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus – absolutely beautiful and inspiring! To finish the day we had a tour around the centre of Glasgow to see the ‘Christmas lights’ before they were dismantled for another year! The following sunny but frosty day we made a visit to my daughter and son-in-law at Gartmore, and finally at the end of that first week we met with friends for our annual church day of prayer. Whew, yes a busy start! Photos follow.

A peaceful New Year;s Day with family and friends.

Winter by Robert Burns
The wintry west extends his blast,

Other special big events so far this year, included a trip to hospital with my wife who was having the first of two cataracts removed from her eyes. Thankfully she is already seeing much clearer and sharper in the one eye as a result. Also, we received news that our grand-daughter Lindsey and husband Jamie had presented us with another new great-grandson named Finn. Mother and child both well and now at home.

On a sadder note we have said our farewells on this earth to a number of our older family members and friends during the last few weeks. But we await with hope a reunion in a day to come in the presence of our risen and exalted Lord Jesus Christ.

A VISIT TO THE ROBERT BURNS MEMORIAL IN ALLOWAY, SCOTLAND

Here in Scotland, just exactly one month after Christmas, on the 25 January we celebrate Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns and his amazing poetical works. So since the weather turned a bit milder this week, we used our National Trust Cards to visit the thatched cottage where Robert Burns was born in Alloway, and the nearby Burns Museum and coffee shop. It’s well worth a visit if you haven’t been, or haven’t been for a while. Here are some photos, and a couple of short excerpts from two of his best known poems.

‘Tam o Shanter’ by Robert Burns ‘But pleasures are like poppies spread: You seize the flower, its bloom is shed; Or like the snow fall on the river,
A moment white – then melts forever

‘To a Mouse’ by Robert Burns

But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best-laid schemes o’ mice and men
Gang aft a-gley, And lea’e us nought but grief and pain, For promised joy!

I love so many of Burn’s poems and songs, but perhaps my favourite is ‘The Cotters Saturday night‘ which gives such a great picture into family life for many here in Scotland away back in the eighteenth century. I have recorded my recitation of it on You Tube and you can listen to it here if you wish. https://youtu.be/2DJf4xWGZdg?si=huyDHOFIDWMY0lPK

I have seldom if ever, heard anyone quote the words of Robert Burns as he faced death, but in 1781 when that seemed imminent he wrote these words.

O Thou unknown, Almighty Cause of all my hopes and fears, in whose dread presence, ere an hour, Perhaps I must appear. If I have wandered in those paths Of life I aught to shun; As something loudly in my breast Remonstrates I have done.

The last verse says:

Where with intention I have erred, No other plea I have, But thou art good; and goodness still delighteth to forgive.

Sad to read of his uncertainty regarding his final eternal destiny, when it is possible to be sure! When we go on a journey we invariably have everything organised to the last detail, and particularly our final hotel/Guest House accommodation. Yet on our journey through life, thoughts of our final destination are often completely ignored. Our morning Bible reading today was from Matthew 7:13,14. where Jesus says
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.’ Jesus is the Gate! (John 10.9) and Jesus is the Way (John 14:6)

So in our current uncertain and unpredictable world where none of us knows what a day may bring, I would ask you, do you know the road you are on? and have you thought of your final destination? In the bible the Apostle John writing to Christians in his first letter says ‘And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.’ (1 John 5:11,12)

Time to check it out?

Until next time – I wish you God’s blessing wherever you are.

Matthew

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