Scotland’s Castles – Matthew McKinnon's Blog

The Harvest is past, the Summer’s ended – 2025

It’s lovely to sit in the morning quietness and watch the sunbeams start to creep across the garden. To see the birds activity, and often to watch the resident squirrel do his morning inspection! Today being the 31st of August, this was the last morning of Summer in 2025 here in Scotland.

Tomorrow we enter Autumn, and ‘dead on cue’ the forecast is for rain and strong winds, so we can expect a ‘windfall’ of apples from our apple tree.

Tonight I’ve been looking back on this year’s summer and enjoying photos of places, flowers and the greenhouse etc. I hope you enjoy them. Firstly, the trip we made recently to the beautiful Isle of Bute on the Clyde Coast, which I promised in my last blog.

Now some other summer photos!

So the harvest is past, the summer ended ……….

I started my blog by saying ‘It’s lovely to sit in the morning quietness ….’ and it was there I had the thought for this blog’s heading. Many moons ago as a teenager I had sat in a church service and heard the preacher speak on a verse from Jeremiah 8:20. the full quotation was ‘The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved” Jeremiah the Prophet of God who wrote them, warned his people to repent of their sins, but his message went unheeded, He therefore lived through a time of war, when the nation was attacked, and many were killed and many others taken captive. They had looked to others for help, but it had not come. His plaintive cry was “Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people”. This was written in the seventh century BC.

I guess at times we all feel like weeping for people around the world who suffer in so many different and tragic ways. The statistics are mind blowing. Last year (2024) – 233,000 people are estimated to have been killed in armed conflicts. One Christian organisation that report on Christian persecution says 1 in 7 Christians are persecuted world-wide – 4,476 were murdered last year, 7,679 Churches and properties were attacked and 4,744 Christians imprisoned. Tearfund one of the UK’s leading charities, in their Autumn report speaks of an unprecedented increase in crisis. When we worked in Africa with this organisation, it was not uncommon for those around the table to say ‘If only we could stop the arms race for one year, thnk of what could be done with the money saved’.

So whilst people all around the world, men and women, boys and girls cry out to be saved, from war, famine. drought, persecution, abuse and poverty, Governments continue to increase military defence expenditure. In 2023/24 the UK budgeted £53 .9 billion and then budgeted £56.9 billion for 24/25 with a promised 2.2 billion uplift for 25/26. Worldwide in 2024 the figure is estimated to be US$2.718 trillion! That is $2,718,000.000,000 Wow!

Do you get the feeling that something is wrong with humankind? I’m reminded of the famous quote of G. K. Chesterton the author, philosopher and Christian apologist of the last century who responded to a newspaper article on this subject. He said, “Dear Sir. What’s wrong with the world? I am”. Yours G. K. Chesterton.

The preacher of my youth wasn’t slow to remind us that when we point the finger at others, four fingers point back at ourselves. For we are all far from perfect. Yes we are all children of Adam, and we might not say ‘Scotland first’, but act like it’s ‘me first’. You see it on social media regularly, ‘if someone annoys you, or doesn’t like you, the advice is ‘dump them’.

The Christian gospel is so counter cultural. We read in the book of Romans ‘… God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) and again, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”. So the message is clear we ALL need to be saved from the consequences of our sins, and the only Saviour is Jesus Christ God’s Son.

Yes, like the leaders of our world past and present, we too will give an account. We don’t all automatially go to heaven, but are in danger of eternal separation from God (which the Bible calls hell) unless we turn from our sin and receive the free offer of Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.

Summer is past, time is moving on .. would you like to be sure that you will be in heaven? then act now … for it is written:

For he (God) says,
“In the time of my favour I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.

Always happy to hear from you. I hope this short reflection will lead you to commit your life to Jesus Christ if you have not already done so.

Wishing you God’s blessing wherever you are – Matthew

Memorable Moments: A Year Through My Lens

If you are a subscriber to my blog you will know that every year at this time I like to look back on the year’s photographs, and set out some of my favourites, sometimes because I love the photo and at other times just for the special memory, and other memories they invoke! In these three photos below I hope you catch what I mean.

The above are not great photos, in the first two the boat was moving and I was ‘happed up’ with a life jacket. On this cool sunny day without a breath of wind, sailing off the coast of Tiree I felt it was one of these ‘time stands still’ moments when you feel over awed by the breath-taking beauty of it all! Since then, when I look at this photo I think of a similar moment on a boat on the sea of Galilee, just after dawn, when the boatman cut the engine and we floated in quietness on the still blue sea, when the sky and sea seemed to merge. Not surprisingly thoughts of the man who walked on these waters came to mind, and a chorus we sang as kids. Yea, beautiful. I know many of you will have had similar moments when confronted by the beauty of God’s creation.

The Chorus: By blue Galilee Jesus walked of old; By blue Galilee wondrous things He told. Saviour, still my teacher be, showing wondrous things to me, as of old by Galilee blue Galilee.

Now here is a selection of other photos that give us pleasure as my wife and I look over them together

A January walk in the park with Grand daughter, and greatgrand children

There is always a sense of excitement and activity as winter draws to a close and Spring is on the near horizon. Garden tools checked, greenhouse cleaned again, seeds bought, saved seeds checked, propagators and greenhouse cleaned, tube heater check along with it’s timer control. Finally glass cleaned and floor disinfected. I’m smiling, it’s all go now!

Late Spring and Summer we try to get out and about, and we are spoiled for choice, some of these places you may have seen before.

Now for some summer photographs:-

Autumn and Winter photos :-

Many in our world today look ahead with fear and trepidation, which is not surprising considering our news bulletins filled with stories of war, doom and disaster, and considering the war, sorrows and turmoil of the world in 2024.

This reminded me of the poem read by King George Vl in his speech to the nation in 1939 just at the start of the 2nd World War. It was a poem written by Minnie Louise Haskins. Here are the words of the first verse.

Quote: And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year; “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown”. And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way“. So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And he led me towards the hills and the breaking of the day in the lone East. Unquote.

A poem said to be a favourite with the late Queen Elizabeth ll, who is credited as the person who handed it to her dad.

Personally, I have recently been reading words from the book af Acts regarding what the Apostle Peter said to the religious leaders of his day just after the resurrection of Jesus, you can read the whole story in the book of Acts chapter 4. He said
“Jesus is the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12.

These words were behind the inspiration for a new Christian song written and composed by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, which has become one of the favourites of this century. So if you feel the world is becoming increasingly chaotic, and you are in danger of giving up hope, have a read of the words, and check out the song om You Tube and you’ll see why it has become so popular. And may you find new hope and purpose in life, by coming to know this Jesus of whom it speaks.

In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

I wish all my readers God’s blessing in 2025

Summer.. Autumn.. life moving on …

We are now halfway through Autumn, and storm Ashley with it’s torrential rain and wind gusts of up to 85mph has thankfully passed by, with perhaps less damage than anticipated. Certainly there was travel disruption on the roads, railways, and ferries around the Scottish coast, and also some flooding and electricity supply problems in some communities. Thankfully here in Glasgow we seemed to have missed the worst of the storm.

Today the weather is blustery with sunny intervals, and it was good this morning to walk around the local golf course, although everything was very wet underfoot. There was not a golfer to be seen.

The local park too, now has on its Autumn colours and we have enjoyed our usual walks, sometimes between the rain showers. So here are some photos of Autumn in Roukenglen Park.

Work in the garden is changing, for as Solomon of old said, there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot. So it’s uprooting time in my garden as everything needs cutting back, the greenhouse needs emptying and cleaning, along with lots of pots and containers that need replenished with Spring bulbs and plants. Currently it’s a work in progress, but it was good to have my grandson helping recently as we cut back the large hedge. It’s just as well that I enjoy being being out in the fresh air and in the garden!

Still eating the potatoes and stewed Rhubarb

In my last blog I was speaking about our trip to Ireland. Since coming home we have had some of our usual day trips much nearer to home, with visits to the coast, and a weekend with our son and daughter-in-law at Skelmorlie. Just last week on a beautiful sunny day we had a drive around Scotland’s ‘secret coast’. The colours in the trees were magnificient and we enjoyed some lovely tea and coffee stops along the way.

Time at Skelmorlie on the coast

Now here are some photos of the ‘Secret Coast’ on our way home from Skelmorlie. First the ferry from Gourock to Dunoon, followed by a drive to Tighnabruaich, from there to Otter Ferry, Lachlan Castle, then the ‘Rest and be Thankful’ pass, Loch Lomond and home.

Thinking about seasons I’ll finish with a photo I took of the ‘Harvest Super Moon’ on Thursday 17th October. There was a clear bright sky in Glasgow that night, so it seemed to warrant getting the camera and tripod out.

Genesis 1:16
God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.

Ps. 74:19 He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. Ps.74:19

I found it interesting reading the various views and opinions relative to how the moon affects the seasons, and learned and relearned again something of the amazing wonders of our solar system. (which I talked about in a recent blog. (‘can anything eclipse an eclipse‘). The necessity of the earth’s 23.5 degrees axial tilt as it makes its 365 day circuit around the sun, is so essential to the stability and wonder of our seasons. I remember the Psalmist’s words in Ps.64:16,17 The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.

So the seasons roll bye, Spring and Summer, Autumn and Winter, and for me they all display something of the glory and majesty of God. But the seasons have often been compared to the seasons we experience of life, ‘new life and hope‘, ‘prosperity and happiness’ when all seems well, but times too of ‘uncertainty and stress’ and ‘sicknesss, sadness and loss’.

In all of life’s circunstances it’s good to have a friend that we can rely on, and many of us have friends we have met or perhaps even grown up with, who have laughed and celebrated with us in our joys and successes, and cried and mourned with us in our griefs and sorrows. The Bible speaks of a friend who is always there for us, in every circumstance of life. To the young and carefree he offers ‘life in all its fulness‘, he calls ‘the weary and heavy laden‘, the ‘sad and sorryful‘ and those who are ‘thirsting for true meaning and purpose in life‘, to those who are ‘burdened with guilt‘ and those ‘in fear of death‘. And his name? His name is Jesus. an anchor for our soul. At my home Church (Greenview Church in Glasgow) we have people from many dfferent backgrounds and of multiple ages who have found Jesus to be such a friend. Here is one of my favourite hymns that you may like to hear, that speaks of this friend, well worth a listen. If you live in the UK and would like to read a modern illustrated edition of Luke’s Gospel, then please message me for a copy. But I’m always glad to hear from you wherever you are.

Whatever seasom of life you find yourself in, I wish you God’s blessing

Matthew

Discover the Tranquility of Tiree in Spring: A Scottish Island Getaway

This year in the month of May we had another holiday in Tiree staying with our friends there. It’s always something quite special, and very different from the holiday resorts of Europe, which at one time were our favourites. Someone asked me recently what was the attraction of Tiree? I thought the answer to that question was well put by someone on Facebook recently when they said ‘Time stands still in Tiree’! It’s just so different from the noise and razamataz of life in the city, here the ‘sound of silence’ can be felt, the big sky, the blue ocean and the lapping of the water on the beaches, all speak of the Glory and Majesty of our creator God, and perhaps even more so on stormy days.:)

Our booking on the Oban > Tiree ferry was very early in the morning, so we were out of bed by 4am, but as it so happened it was completely worth it, as we so enjoyed the beauty of the sunrise over the Sound of Mull.

As the four hour journey progressed, so many beautiful sites came into view before we safely arrived at our destination in the Isle of Tiree. The journey is such a major part of the holiday!

We had many sunny, but cool days (It was still Springtime) but I’ll start by showing you photos from the one really wet day we had.

the bird hide – a seat and flask of coffee

If you have heard of Tiree before you will certainly have heard of the amazing beaches, sunrises and sunsets. Here are a few photos.

All the places to visit on the island are too many to show here, but the following are a few of Scarnish, Milton and Balemartine. My Great Grandfather came from Balemartine, so we like to spend time there.

Then of course there are the beaches, harbours, sea and seashore with all their associated activities!

Surfing was out, but we had two swimming days – now called ‘wild swimming’, but as children we called it ‘going for a dook’! We left it until late afternoon as the tide was highest then. Freezing cold 🙂 but amazing!

I trust the above photo selection whets your appetite for a visit to the Scottish Hebrides and in particular the Isle of Tiree. And yes, we were at the Baptist Church on the Sunday, and also at an open day that they were holding. It was great to renew our acquaintance with some of the folks who meet there. The ‘Faith Mission’ guys commenced a visit to the island just before we left, and it was a pleasure to meet them again on a couple of evenings, and hear two of the young missionaires tell the story of their coming to faith in Jesus.

In the business of life I find it essential to take time daily to listen and to speak with God. As a child I gave my life to Jesus and invited Him to become my Saviour and Lord, I have mentioned this often before, but knowing His living presence and the forgiveness of sin, and the peace He brings in this troubled world, is truly God’s greatest gift to humankind. There were plenty of places in Tiree for peace and quiet to worship and to think of these great issues of life and death, and life hereafter, and the wonder of God’s love. Here is another song I enjoy by Joseph Prince.

I hope you enjoyed the photographs and I trust this finds you well wherever you are, and maybe you can enjoy some ‘wild swimming’ 🙂

(Above swimming photos by taken by our friend Susie)

I look forward to hearing from you.

Matthew

“Rain! Rain! Rain!”

As kids we used to say a childish rhyme ‘Rain Rain go to Spain and don’t come back to me again‘. There are many derivations to the words in that nursery rhyme, which evidently has its origin back in the 17th century! I don’t know about ‘going to Spain‘, but February was one of the wettest months here in the UK, and there were many times when we just wished the rain would stop. It also continued into the month of March, but I guess that is all part of what it means to live with a maritime climate!

All of that besides, we did manage to get out and about as best we could, mostly to local parks, but two places we reached a bit further afield were Stirling Castle in Stirlingshire and Culzean Castle in Ayrshire. In the winter and early Spring all these places can be enjoyed more easily in what is normally a much quieter season, so here are some photographs.

First our visit to Stirling and the Bannockburn Battlefield and Memorial, where on this site in 1314 a battle raged between the Scottish and English armies. The site is beautifully maintained by the National Trust for Scotland, and surrounded by some stunning countryside.

Inside the National Memorial building the battle is dramatically displayed by means of some very clever modern technology and sound effects. Arrows fired at you whizz over your head and when you turn-around soldiers are falling on the screen behind you! There is also a battle room where you are talked through the twists and turns of the battle. It’s all very well presented and is well worth a visit. Here are a few photographs.

Then on the 2nd March we made a trip to Culzean Castle on the Ayrshire coastline, one of our favourite places. It was nice to see the snowdrops and daffodils flourishing, and even some of the rhododendrons were in flower! Photographs below:

Certainly all that rain makes everything very green and as we approach Easter it is lovely to see the grass growing and flowers again appearing in our garden, and also in the local parks. Seedlings are growing well in the greenhouse within a couple of propagators. This week the clocks Spring forward so we will soon be enjoying an extra hour of light in the evenings, Hurrah! Here’s a few more photos:

I often wonder when I plant these dead looking bulbs in the Autumn, or see what looks like dead bushes and trees bursting into life, why anyone could possibly conclude that all this came about from nothing, and just by chance, baffles me. In my garden and greenhouse I often feel compelled to pause and thank God for His amazing work of creation.

There is a Bible verse that seems to well encapsulate these thoughts, it reads:
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20

God’s eternal power and divine nature are however more clearly seen in his Son Jesus Christ, the God Man, who Himself said ‘He that has seen me has seen the Father’. So if you want to know what God is like, marvel not just at nature but look to JESUS and His story recorded in the Scriptures!

At Easter we see demonstrated in the clearest possible terms various aspects of GOD’s divine nature, His Love and Grace, His Holiness and His Justice. His Love shown when Jesus on the eve of the feast of Passover, (Exdous 12:1-13.) shows Himself to be the sacrificial Lamb slain for us, by dying in our place and stead and for our sin, and here the Christian Communion service is inaugurated.

And again His Grace, which we don’t deserve is seen as he offers us forgiveness, on the basis that He took the punishment for our sin, Someone has said Grace and Justice kiss each other at the cross. How amazing is that, surely the greatest story ever told.

Isaiah the prophet (740-680 B.C.) so vividly describes the death of Jesus in Chapter 53 of His book. (its a must read if you have never read it) all these years before it took place including the phrase “he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”. John the Baptist at the beginning of the Jesus ministry just after Jesus’ baptism declares “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”! Far too many other references to mention here.

I don’t know about you, but for me it is the most profound thought that has ever occupied my mind, expressed with such pathos and truth by the Apostle Paul “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” How profound is that?

At Easter especially, but throughout the year we sing this hymn which I find encouraging and challenging, why not find a quiet place, to sit and contemplate and enjoy!

I hope the weather is kind to you wherever you are this Easter, and that you have a great time, but never forget how much God loves you, and the price He was willing to pay that you might become His child.

I’ve been a Christian for many years, if you would like to talk please get in touch.

Matthew

A Photo Review – 2023

Here is a review of my photographs at the end of the year, that highlight some of the lovely places and experiences that have been enjoyed. The one shown above is of the local park, where we so often walk. However those shown below are not always because of their great photographic quality, but sometimes just for the memories that they invoke. This year let’s start with Winter and finish with Winter, and in-between show something of the beauty of God’s creation here in Scotland, not only in Winter, but also in Spring, Summer and Autumn.

January and February – the winter months at the beginning of 2023.

A day out to Culzean Castle and gardens in January

A round trip from Glasgow to Dunoon via Loch Lomond, Hell’s Glen and Ardentinny

A good place to visit on a cold day – Glasgow’s Botanical Gardens

Now it’s Spring time and everything is bursting into life!

More Spring flowers:-

Late May, our holiday in and around Tiree

Now on into summer ….

**A visit to Dawyck Botanical Gardens >**

Our garden in summer ….

Day trips to the Firth of Forth Bridges, the Isle of Bute and The Trossachs

Now Autumn is coming on …. with a trip to Inverness and the Moray Coast ….

And lastly at the end of the year we are into Winter once again …

Thank you to all who subscribe to my blog and also to friends far and wide who log-on from time to time. Hopfully you have enjoyed the photographs of our travels in 2023. I often think that we are not getting around as much as we once did, until I start to select photos from the year, and then reaslise I have far too many photos to show!

The ‘card’ above brings our greetings for Christmas and the New Year, and we hope to continue our blogging in 2024 all being well, but until next year I wish you God’s blessing at this festive season! The words of my favourite carol this year, are attached.

Matthew

Visit Scotland in September? say YES!

**Bauchaille Etive Mor at the entrance to Glen Coe**

September is a good month to visit Scotland as the weather is often dry with many sunny days, tho’ perhaps a bit chilly in the mornings! It’s pleasant weather for touring around and since it is the first month of Autumn you see the beauty in the trees as the leaves begin to change colour, but still with lots of flowers in the gardens and hedgerows. This year, the weather has been particularly warm and sunny at the beginning of the month, so we took the opportunity to travel.

Our first trip took us East from Glasgow to the Firth of Forth where the river makes it’s exit into the North Sea, and on whose southern bank sits the city of Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city. We took a one and one half hour boat trip around the three bridges and Inchcolm Island, and found the historic commentary on board very interesting. Here are some photographs.

Later that week we travelled 200 miles north to visit family and friends along the Moray Coast and were thankful the warm weather seemed to travel with us, as you can see from the photographs.

On the Sunday we met other friends at the morning service in Elgin Baptist Church and later enjoyed a beautiful afternoon sitting at the harbour in Gardenstown.

The five days passed all too quickly and soon we were on our way home. We chose the scenic route via Inverness / Loch Ness, Fort William, Glen Coe and Loch Lomond. We had plenty of stops along the way and made the most of the day. Here are some final photos from our trip.

Well it’s sad in some respects to see the summer coming to an end for yet another year, but every season has its attractions, despite the changing weather patterns! The Autumn colours, the planting of Spring bulbs, winter nights with a good book, or friends and family around the fireside all have their attractions!

Our lives have their seasons too, our childood and teenage years, our early adult life, then middle age and old age! Now that I find myself in the latter category, it is interesting to think back and review all of life’s ups and downs, joys and sorrows, successes and disappointments. Photographs are a great way of doing that. The arrival of children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren are often a sure way to bring a smile to your face.

At the Church we visited in Elgin the pastor asked the question, ‘so what are you looking forward to’? You could expect a hundred and one answers to that question if you were to stop people on the street. but I think ‘seniors’ generally would answer differently from the rest of society. The pastor’s sermon that day was entitled A LIVING HOPE! You can see why from the Bible passage he read quoted below.

Quote – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5 (main points of sermon highlighted)

Compare this with the following quotation from the late atheistic philosopher Bertrand Russell. Quote – “all the labours of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and that the whole temple of Man’s achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the débris of a universe in ruins” …….. Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair, can the soul’s habitation henceforth be safely built.”

Actually the sermon at Church that Sunday finished with the thought of increasing hope as you get older, which is surely counter cultural, and the antithesis to Mr Bertrand R’s message of doom and despair! The Christian message is based on the historical facts of the life, death and resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ the Son of God, who came to save us from the consequences of our sin, if only we will repent and put our trust in Him as our Saviour. Watch below the late Willie Gilvear from the Gallowgate in Glasgow telling what hope he found in Jesus.

So as you get older what are you hoping for? There is new birth, new hope, an inheritance in heaven and security in life and death available through faith in Jesus Christ. Someone has said, life without Christ leads to a hopeless end, but life in Christ leads to an endless hope!

Not yet a Jesus follower? Why not seize the opportunity and come to Christ now and start a life filled wiith HOPE? Here’s Willie Gilvear ….

Always glad to hear from my readers! Be blessed wherever you are!

Matthew

Out and about in Winter

The weather here in the Central belt of Scotland during winter is a mixture of wind and rain, snow and frost with some dreich days in between! The temperature hovers around freezing, and the days are short, but if you watch the forecast you can always spot a good day coming up, which enables you to get out and about, if the diary is free! In January we managed two days away which we really enjoyed, so here are some photos of our trips.

On the 16th January we headed for Culzean Castle on the Ayrshire Coast on a cold sunny and windy day. On reaching the park we walked in the woods rather than along the coastal path to avoid the worst of the wind. But it was a beautiful walk!

The Swan Pond – Culzean Castle

It’s great to see the ducks, swans and gannets that frequent the pond area and also to spot the many robins that also call this place home. Oh, and there was the monster!

We next made our way to the Visitors’ Centre where we enjoyed some views of the castle and a lovely lunch in the restaurant.

Culzean Castle on a winter’s afternoon

We then made our way home along the coastal road through Dunure, and were home just before dark around 4.30pm

Coastal route home via Dunure

Ten days later we managed another of our favourite trips from Glasgow to Dunoon, via Loch Lomond, the ‘Rest and be Thankful’ pass, Hell’s Glen, Strachur on Loch Fyne, and Ardentinny on Loch Long, before catching the ferry from Dunoon to Gourock. It was an amazing drive! We then had a bite to eat at Nardini’s restaurant in Largs before driving home.

At Strachur you can continue on the direct route to Dunoon or take the long route via Glendaruel. That day we chose the direct Dunoon route, but then took the detour to Ardentinny and Loch Long.

The shores of Loch Long and the Dunoon ferry

Reflection: It’s tempting as you get older to just sit at home in these cold winter days, but its better for your health and wellbeing if you can get up and walk around, and if possible get out and about. If not on a trip we sometimes go to a large shopping complex near our home and enjoy a walk up and down the mall which is nicely heated, and then have a seat in the areas provided. Of course we can also look in the shop windows at all the things we don’t need! 🙂

Sitting at the fireplace with a cup of tea and a good book on a winters night however is a great blessing. I mostly enjoy reading from my ‘Kindle App’ on my ipad as I can adjust the print size, and the brightness of my screen with a click of a button. Most of all I love the ability on Kindle to highlight passages that I find of particular interest, as these are automatically saved. This allows me at anytime to review them at will and reflect on what I’ve read, which is great. Here’s a few of the books I’ve enjoyed, which I would recommend irrespective of whether it is a hard copy or a digital version.

All being well, soon we will be into Spring, and it will be time for garden and greenhouse. I have some new ideas for this year, so lets see if they materialise!

Best wishes from Glasgow

Matthew

PS: I guess my subscribers are wondering why I didn’t recommend the world’s best selling book the Bible in my ‘book recommendations’, as it is a book I truly love. However I would like to recommend that you listen to the British actor Sir David Suchet reading Mark’s Gospel. It truly is inspiring and if you are like me, it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up!

TIME flies > a photographic review of 2022.

It’s always difficult to choose which photographs to include in a yearly review! Should they be included because you think of them technically better than others? or because of the subject matter being photographed? or simply because they invoke memories of a specific day or event, which was extraordinarily special for you? For my opening photograph I’ve chosen the latter. Life had been a bit hectic in Glasgow, but after a surprise phone call we arrived on the Isle of Tiree just two days later. It was late April, and the weather was still cool but beautifully sunny. The first day there, our friend took us to an isolated beach, and left us to walk in the sunshine and quietness, with a gentle but cool wind blowing! Yep, that is a day to be remembered!

Camera wise, time flies too! The first camera I used was the family Kodak Brownie Junior which I was allowed to commandeer for my first youth camp to Whitehills in Morayshire. I still have a photo that I took with it. Unfortunately the ‘light got in’ as I opened it to remove the film 🙂 which was a common problem with the Brownie. Actually the picture of my brother Martin has been improved considerably, because it is a photo of the original photo and digitally improved! Was it really that long ago?Time > flies!

Here’s this year’s selection then, which I enjoyed puting together, so hope you enjoy them too!

January to March 2022

April to June 2022

July to September

October to December 2022

Reflection: It takes just a few minutes of time to review with photographs the year that has now almost gone. It was a year not without its cares, challenges and difficulties, for family and friends and for ourselves. I guess that will also be true for many who read this blog in countries around the world. We don’t tend to photograph these kind of episodes in life’s journey, but we remember well the reality of them!

As we look now towards 2023 and beyond I wonder what your hopes and fears are for the times ahead? for the future? Sherman Barnes* points out that ‘between 1300 and 1700 many movements arose which claimed that human reason and creative power promised progress to a better world‘! Other questions however arose, Is there progress in knowledge but not in morality? In political life? In wealth or is there progress in human nature? By 1914 and onward such dreams of man creating a ‘heaven on earth’ have in fact faded fast, both in the secular and religious world. Recent history surely bears that out?

Christianity however in contrast to the gloom and doom of our news bulletins is a great message full of hope, whether in life or in death! It clains that time itself will in fact be brought to a summation by the God of history at the return of Jesus Christ, the appointed judge of all the earth. Meantime as Christians we are daily invited to walk with Him and wait expectantly for His coming! At what time, you ask? I’ll quote the supreme authority on the subject – Jesus said, You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” It’s good to be ready!

Paul the Apostle also says, ‘according to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.‘

A prayer for 2023: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.’

Matthew

*A Lion Handbook – The History of Christianity

It is Summertime, in My Heart!

When I looked out our bedroom window this morning my phone was registering a temperature of minus 7 degrees centigrade, so it was tempting to stay in bed. The resident robin however was looking in the window, just to remind me that the seed box needed topping up! It was certainly a Christmas Card setting, lovely to look at, but how thankful we were that the central heating is still fuctioning well. And the garden looks somewhat different too in winter, take a look!

The weather changes so quickly here in Scotland and it has often been said ‘that here you can have all four seasons of weather in one day’. Just shortly before this cold snap set in, we had spent a lovely weekend with family at Skelmorlie on the Clyde Coast. It’s winter, so the days are short, but one advantage is that the place is quiet and it’s easy to find a place to park. We visited the Isle of Cumbrae on the Saturday, and it seemed as if we had the island to ourselves.

By 3.30pm we were headed back for the ferry just before dark, after stopping off at the Ritz cafe for something to eat and a hot drink and to play the Juke Box! 🙂

Soon we were back home to the family’s place at Skelmorlie. There is nothing quite like sitting toasting your feet at a warm fire on a winter’s night, after your evening meal, and enjoying some good conversation. Then its off to bed!

Reflection: You’ll have noticed the strange heading of this blog ‘It’s summertime in my heart‘? I know summertime is not actually reflected very much in the story or photographs. These however were the words of an old song that came to mind as I looked out of the window this morning. We sang them at our Youth Camps many years ago and still they come to mind.

Summertime In My Heart
It is summertime, in my heart
It is summertime, in my heart
Since Jesus saved me
New Life He gave me
Ev’n in wintertime, it’s summer in my heart.

I wonder what your reflections are when you think back to summer days in your childhood? For me I remember sunny days and going out to play with my pals in the ‘bluebell woods’ just a couple of hundred yards from where we stayed. Time was spent having our picnic, building dens, playing cops and robbers, and best at falling, and climbing the trees. Then there were family holidays by the seaside ….

Winter of course was different, foggy days, ice and snow, wind and rain, scurvy legs and Snowfire, a hot salt sock round your neck for a sore throat, cod liver oil and malt, and your chest rubbed with Vick! 🙂 Games nights at home, table tennis, Ludo, Halma and Snakes and ladders, and push-h’apenny!

Two very different seasons!

Life of course has its changing seasons too! I think in the good times we could say ‘its summer in my heart’, and in times of difficulty ‘it is winter in my heart’. The childhood song above tells how Jesus makes a difference even in the winter times, which come to us all throughout life. At Christmas time we remember His Name was Jesus because he came to be a Saviour, and still is. He gives new life to all who will open their hearts to Him. He saves from our sin and its consequences, He stays beside us as our comforter and guide, and leads us safely home.

Jesus calls, ‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.’

I’m so glad I opened the door of my heart to Him, he has been the light of summer and of winter in my journey thus far through life. JESUS is God’s unspeakable gift at Christmas!

Happy Christmas to all my followers and fellow bloggers!

Matthew

Portencross, and Portencross Castle on the Firth of Clyde

Portencross village and the castle are well off the ‘beaten track’ so it is perhaps amongst one of the less well known castles in Scotland. Suffice to say, that having lived within 30 miles of it for more than half a century, I only visited it for the first time within the last two years. It is situated between Seamill and the Hunterston peninsula. The narrow ‘no through road’ which leads down to it is easily missed unless you are on the alert and look out for the junction, which sits at a busy bend in the road. Having found it, we have now made a number of visits, as it is beautifully situated with a coastal path in either direction, and lovely views across the Firth to Arran and the Cumbraes.

In the 1980’s, land and buildings that had been bought by the government with a view to expanding the Hunterston Power Station complex, was returned to private ownership. By 2005 the charity ‘Friends of Portencross Castle‘ (FOPC) had been formed locally to conserve and repair the castle for present and future generations. And what a great job they have done with the help of volunteers and external funding from organisations and individuals.

The Castle will be closed for the winter, but I was fortunate enough on my last visit to gain access, (which is free, but a donation is requested) and very much enjoyed seeing the restoration work, and also appreciated the information boards and leaflets which were freely available. Here are some photos.

Here is a sample of the information boards and literature that are available, some of which are presented as a teaching resource for teachers and children.

Finally, a short video combining two visits to the castle, one on a sunny day and the other on a stormy day. I hope you catch the atmosphere of the place! On both occasions the situation of the castle against the backdrop of the sea looked stunning! I would strongly recommend a visit.

Reflection: I find it fascinating visiting historical sites of interest, and have had the priviledge of doing that in many ‘far flung places’. Scotland of course has a plethora of such sites away and above one’s expectation for such a small nation. I like to think of the person(s) who first had a vision of building a ‘hall-house’ here at Portencross away back in the 1300’s AD. It’s good then to read of all the changes that have taken place down the centuries, both in the structure itself and the people who lived and worked in and around this castle. Did any of them ever imagine it would last all these centuries and undergo all these changes? Probably not!

And of course when we look back on our own lives, it is astounding to have witnessed the changes that have taken place in our world in the last century, things my own mother and father would never have dreamed of. The pace of change has brought so much blessing to humankind, and yet conversely, so much danger from new and deadlier weapons, pollution of air, land, rivers and seas, and loss of habitat for animals birds, fish and insects. It would seem mankind is now capable of destroying the very planet itself!

I am so thankful that God and His Word never change, and there we can find an anchor to our soul. I sometimes smile as I listen to our leaders in the fields of politics, science, philosophy and theology and …. telling us that the eternal God and His Word are a bit out of date, and suggest that perhaps God needs to ‘get up to speed’! Then I listen to our news bulletins and hear of disaster and carnage on a multitude of levels, and remember God’s word ‘the heart of man is deceitful above all else, who can know it’. That apparently does not change.

This morning I was reading a letter written away back in the first century AD by a man named Paul. Since he became a follower of Jesus Christ he had suffered it would seem one calamity after another,* and now he was in prison in Rome awaiting execution for proclaiming the good news of Jesus, ascerting there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ God’s Son. In his letter to his young protege he writes “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.“** In an ever changing world, and our ever changing circumstances, it’s good to entrust ourselves to Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and as our friend, for of him it is written ‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever, and of course for all of us there is ‘that day‘!

*2 Corinthians 11:21-33, ** 2 Timothy 1:10-12

A famous hymn written around Paul’s words you can listen to here!

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Matthew

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