Words

I have been a freelance wordsmith for forty years, writing, copy-writing, transcribing, proof-reading and editing books, articles, essays and web content for a wide array of customers. 

Recent work includes web content creation and podcast hosting for a mental health college, sub-editor and writer for Scottish Field magazine, and weekly columnist for The Scotsman newspaper (subsequently collating my Orkney based Island Life series into two illustrated volumes).

My writing career began with ghost writing copy for travel guides, and writing and publishing bird guide books in West Scotland, including the seminal “Where to Watch Birds in Scotland” with Mike Madders.

In between the lines of that, the zig zag of life has also led me through times as a sheep farmer, a nurse, an avian research student, a house painter, an artists’ model, a horse trainer, a potter, a tour guide, a kitchen garden lackey…..and so on….. And of course the winding path also led to my becoming ‘Mum’ to my three gorgeous sons.

The focus of my interest is habitat, wildlife, biodiversity, land use (food, energy) and how our human needs can be tailored to fit in with our environment, to share, nourish and sustain it rather than dominating and abusing it. 

Hands

I’m interested in how vital our hands have been in our development as a highly successful species, and how to get back to using our hands in more creative ways. I find that when I work with my hands – to knit, or knead dough, or hang washing out on a line, or swim through a cold ocean, or do anything requiring focus, coordination and dexterity, the physicality brings me into my body and allows my mind to hush my logical critic and encourage my creative dwams. It’s a great feeling, and the positive consequences can be anything from a good night’s sleep to a fabulous idea springing to mind….

…..which indeed is what happened to me recently….

…I conjured up a project to meet with makers – artisans who choose to make things by hand using traditional (or perhaps modern!) methods and natural, locally sourced materials. People who live and work in places that inspire them, and whose work reflects their surroundings. 

I’ll meet them, learn their ways, whys and wherefores and write or tell their stories. Are they following in a long and geographically specific tradition, as with Harris tweed weavers, or have they arrived fresh from elsewhere, bringing new ideas and practices with them? Does the natural world around them inform and inspire their work? Are they collaborating or multi-tasking – sheep farmer to spinner to knitter – to take the product through from inception to fruition?

Have a look at Island Makers for an introduction to my 2021 project!

Yarn

And take a look at Isle20 if you’d like to look at my knitting!