Leopard Magazine
Editor Lindy Cheyne writes:I am making the most of the aromatic wild garlic which grows abundantly around Pitcaple. In my more fanciful moments I imagine it was brought with the Romans at the start of the first millennium a.d. when they were thrusting their way northwards.
In the earliest maps our track was the main road to Inverness. Evidence of the Romans’ presence here was found in 1975 when a camp was discovered at Logie Durno – at 144 acres the largest camp north of the Antonine Wall – though
there are few surface traces left.
This is the time of year when I usually start wittering on about ‘my’ bluetits, which I watch avidly on the nest camera in my study. But life has fallen asunder, as after 10 years the camera has given up, and worse! the tree sparrows have ousted the bluetits.
Our bird population is much depleted because of the magpies which have taken up residence. Any legal suggestions?
Drum, our dear old labrador, is becoming somewhat anxious as he gets older. Now 13, his sight is poor and in a fit of panic one night he shredded a door to reach us. This is out of character, as he hasn’t been destructive since puppyhood, when he ate all my shoes. Correction; he ate one of each pair, let’s be fair.
The vet suggested that we leave a light on for him overnight. She sold us tablets to make him relax and an atomiser which releases doggy pheromones.
Now Drum is so content he can barely be persuaded to leave his bed to visit us of an evening, what with his reading light and aromatherapy. He’ll be wanting the velvet smoking cap next.
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Recent articles
From the May 2013 edition
Astonishing adventures of a wee Dundee whaler
At the end of the season, the Snowdrop was preparing to leave Topjuack for Cape Haven to drop off the Eskimos when disaster struck. An unexpected gale blew up, the Snowdrop dragged her anchor and foundered on the rocks.
continued »Filed under: History PeopleThe other Aberdeen Steam Laundry
Once upon a time there were were two Aberdeen Steam Laundry Companies. One, established in 1879, was in Claremont Street, Aberdeen. The other was at the other end of the country.
continued »Filed under: History PeopleFrom the April 2013 edition
Stoat and weasel: Lovely, but lethal
Setting out with the intention of seeing a stoat or a weasel rarely meets with success; but an encounter is wrought all the more thrilling by the element of chance.
continued »Filed under: Environment“We’ve come a’ the way frae Scotland tae mak a brig”
The construction company offered good reasons to go to Australia, while the depressed state of the granite trade in Aberdeen offered few reasons to stay
continued »Filed under: History PeopleFrom the March 2013 edition
Tartan: Scotland’s oldest ambassador
In 1788 there was a bleachfield by the Isla at Keith. A carding mill followed. Today the looms are controlled by computer and tartans are designed on the internet.
continued »Filed under: People History