Category Archives: history

Might and Majesty

Posted on April 6, 2013 by greenmackenzie

The sheer size of the rugged mountains in the Scottish Highlands immediately makes us feel like tiny ants. Endless miles of empty inhospitable landscapes, rolling out into the distance, forces the dawning realisation that we are small and insignificant. … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient history, Celtic, history, philosophy, photos, spiritual, travel | Tagged Highlands, history, life, mindfulness, nature, philosophy, photography, scotland, spiritual, travel | 38 Comments

Tuesdays Taste of Edinburgh – Around Holyrood

Posted on April 2, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Here is this weeks collection of delightfully old Edinburgh buildings. They are scattered around the Holyrood area at the foot of the Royal Mile, and I took them last week before we headed off up north. This area is one … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh, history, photos, travel | Tagged Edinburgh, history, Holyrood, old buildings, photography, scotland, travel | 30 Comments

Heading up North – The Cairngorms

Posted on March 29, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Yesterday we packed the car and headed up North, driving from Edinburgh through the wild mountainous heart of Scotland, towards Skye. As we travelled from East to West, climbing higher into the hills, the snow became thinner, and the mountain … Continue reading →

Posted in history, nature photo, photos, travel | Tagged Cairngorms, commando memorial, Highlands, history, mountains, nature, Photo journey, photography, scotland, travel | 55 Comments

Tuesdays Taste of Edinburgh

Posted on March 26, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Since so many people seem to like my photos of Edinburgh, I’ve decided to do a regular Tuesday post called Tuesdays Taste of Edinburgh. Today’s collection was all taken at Holyrood Palace, at the foot of the Royal Mile. … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh, history, photos, travel | Tagged Edinburgh, history, Holyrood Palace, mythical beasts, old buildings, photography, photos, scotland, travel, unicorn | 41 Comments

Layers of my Neighbourhood – Edinburgh

Posted on March 9, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Edinburgh is a many layered city, literally built on its history. What we can see on the surface around us is only the latest addition. You can gently peel back the surface and reveal layer upon layer of our … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient history, change, Edinburgh, history, photos, weekly photo challenge | Tagged change, Edinburgh, growth, history, life, photography, postaday, scotland, spiritual, symbolism | 71 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge – Home

Posted on February 9, 2013 by greenmackenzie

This oak tree grows in a very old woodland beside my home. The wood is home to a family of old gnarled oak trees some of which date back to the 14th century. The woodland pasture is thought to have … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient sites, green walks, history, mindfulness, photos, weekly photo challenge | Tagged ancient Lothian, mindfulness, nature, oak, photography, postaday, scotland, spiritual, tree | 37 Comments

Winters Grip – Cailleach Bhearra

Posted on January 27, 2013 by greenmackenzie

The Cailleach’s icy grip holds the earth as firm as iron. Her cold blue skin reflects the chilly sky above, and her frozen blood is as hard as all the water across the earths face. She squeezes tight … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient history, Celtic, change, elemental, history, mythology, photos | Tagged Blue Hag, Cailleach Bhearra, Celtic, change, fairy tales, photography, scotland, scottish, snow, symbolism, winter, Winter myths | 7 Comments

Look up for Angels and Unicorns

Posted on January 21, 2013 by greenmackenzie

So all of these photos were taken by pointing my camera upwards towards the heavens in Edinburgh’s Old Town. I found so many interesting creatures, from angels to dragons, to unicorns. It’s simply incredible what’s up there above our heads … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh, history, mindfulness, photos, spiritual, weekly photo challenge | Tagged Edinburgh, history, mindfulness, photography, rooftops, scotland, spiritual, stone angels, unicorns | 7 Comments

Shadows in Glass

Posted on January 14, 2013 by greenmackenzie

These twisted swirling reflections caught my eye as we walked past Haddington’s oldest church last weekend. It’s the Collegiate Church of St Mary the Virgin, and has been here since 1380. Because the glass is very old it’s not machine … Continue reading →

Posted in Edinburgh, history, philosophy, photos, weekly photo challenge | Tagged Edinburgh, history, life, light, musings, philosophy, photography, Reflections, St Mary the Virgin Haddington, symbolism, windows | 22 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge – Illumination

Posted on January 13, 2013 by greenmackenzie

This weeks photo Challenge is illumination. The first two photos are illuminated interiors in central Edinburgh. They both have stunning sets of arches which are beautifully lit with some fairly antique light fittings. The ceiling of the Portrait Gallery is … Continue reading →