If you have followed the traditional mass media for the last ten days or so you’d be forgiven for believing that the world had stopped with the death of Queen Elizabeth and that nothing else was happening. Although the passing of the longest-reigning monarch was arguably a huge event of historical and cultural significance, the world keeps turning and people…

There’s one aspect of holidays at my mum’s that taints the experience a little; one that never fails to frustrate and irritate me a tiny bit. Wherever we go together she introduces me to her acquaintances and friends that we come across; in her small town that’s effectively every other person. That makes a walk more like driving in a…

Although the journey was long and a bit arduous, it was worth it as the winding road weaved its way through the spectacular scenery of the Scottish Highlands and led to Lady Claire Macdonald’s establishment on the Isle of Skye. In fact, the famous cookery writer’s restaurant was the main attraction and the focal point of the trip. I had…

The exam results days in Scotland and the rest of the UK were nine days apart. Young people learnt how well they had done in their SQCs and GCSEs respectively. Although I’m selfishly in a very comfortable position of not being bothered – neither personally nor as a parent – the subject was unavoidable unless I had gone completely off-grid.…

“See that you are dressed for action.” Part of this opening line of today’s gospel reading could be a neat slogan you can put on a T-shirt: Dressed for action. But ‘would it be a proper outfit for just any action? I suppose an entire line of fashionable sportswear could be produced and marketed with such a catchy phrase but…