This evening was a joyful education: was introduced to the gloriously random & bonkers 'Willo the Wisp'. What a delight. And who couldn't love a fairy named 'Mavis Cruet'? All voiced by the incomparable Kenneth Williams. A little piece of much-needed cheerful nonsense for a wee time-line cleanse! ☺️

Flagging up the latest of our winter talks - having been rescheduled from January. All welcome - whether you live locally, or just fancy a wee afternoon drive up to the hills, come along!

As a now rogue nation lights a match to a tinder box...

We invite 20-minute papers for our 2026 Summer Conference 'The Church and Race' #CfP #history Keynote speakers: ▪️Prof Miri Rubin, EHS President @qmul.bsky.social ▪️Prof Herman Bennett, @cuny.edu ▪️The Right Reverend Rowan Williams Deadline: 15 April ecclesiasticalhistorysociety.com/26summer/

If you live relatively locally, or fancy an afternoon drive, why not drop in for a little local history at @lhminerslibrary.bsky.social #bookswithaltitude📚🏔️⛏️

In my favourite meeting up place in the 'burgh. Today includes first face to face with a writing group pal: the play shall be the thing😊 @natlibscot.bsky.social

Deadline tomorrow 👇

Just flagging up the following postponement from @lhminerslibrary.bsky.social #LibraryWithAltitude📚🏔️⛏️

I guess starting a war to steal oil, er, police 'narco-crime', is one almighty way of causing a distraction from releasing incriminating files, eh? US now officially a rogue nation. #EpsteinFiles #Venezuela

Come join us at the UK's oldest subscription library as we begin our series of winter talks. Allison Smith traces her family's connections to Leadhills since the 18th century... 'The Marr family line in Leadhills' #LibraryWithAltitude📚🏔️⛏️

A very merry Christmas, folks!!

Christmas tree finally in situ and decorated as of last night. Huzzah!

#StormBran 6 hour power outage around the village & thankfully although pitch black was very pleased to get home after a hairy drive down from Biggar: lots of debris about. Apparently not long after I got back a tree fell down blocking the main road. Thankful for warmth of fireplace! Power back on.

Over the moon with some happy health news just received. Bouncing about the study full of joy and having the confirmation of what I'm doing in conjunction with medics is working. Huzzah! And, as ever, huge 'YAY' for our wonderful Scottish NHS❤️. #workinprogress #bestchristmaspresent ☺️

Fixed it for you. Idiots! If the exclusion is based on appearance then it will certainly impact cis folks as well as trans folks.

We're in the papers! Find out a wee bit more about the Library... @lhminerslibrary.bsky.social @scotnational.bsky.social #LibraryWithAltitude

Coming up at @lhminerslibrary.bsky.social in early January 2026: our annual series of winter talks. Some dates for the diary. All welcome!!

Cracking conversation over carrot & coiander soup in a favourite place. While there, had a wee peek at what was on @damianbarr.bsky.social's bookshelf [great choices]. @natlibscot.bsky.social happy 100th.

A busy day of remembering today, finishing with the Remembrance service at Leadhills. (including some lovely Remembrance art work by the students of Leadhills Primary) #lestweforget

In September we ran our M*****Classes Lighting Design programme! 💡 Designed to support early-career lighting designers to gain confidence, learn new skills and build connection - Lighting Designer Emma Jones curated a series of brilliant workshops! 📝 1/3

A very cheerful afternoon in Leadhills, sharing the wee treasure that is the Miners' Library. Well done, all.

🍊 🦍 🇺🇸

Tonight's earworm... thanks Henderson @franniemunro.bsky.social 🐁 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj40...

And we'd love if you followed our brand new library bluesky account!! #LibraryWithAltitude

Sun 19 Oct, 2-6pm Fancy a Sunday drive? Leadhills Miners' Library open afternoon: find out more about this wee social history treasure & ways you could support it. On behalf of my fellow Trustees, we'd be delighted to see you. Please feel free to share this post/poster. Thanks! #LibraryWithAltitude

Ah, Diane Keaton... 😢

If you were so minded, & able to offer support: Stellar Quines is a feminist theatre company who create bold, inclusive performances that challenge inequality & spark change. Your support amplifies unheard stories, and seeks to build a more equal future for all. donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05...

A fun afternoon spent recording at Radio Scotland with the always fab Louise 😊

Winter Lecture Series: Finding Women in Scottish History Join us for a series of free, online lectures to explore sources of women's lived experience, intellectual and religious networks, and socio-political power in medieval and early modern Scotland. scottishhistorysociety.com/shs-winter-l...

Oh, Eamonn's wife is becoming ABC. Well done 'woman'... Seriously, @skynewsrss.bsky.social ??? #EverydaySexism Meanwhile, congratulations to Dame Sarah Mullally on news of her appointment.

Fun day at work, which included welcoming a new member to one of our wee rural schools. The Gruffalo has landed... 😊

Another glorious day, another day out in the big office. Southern Uplands... near Crawfordjohn

Out in the big office today and paused a moment to take in the view of the glen and the Clyde. Glorious autumn day in the Southern Uplands. Posted as a timeline 'breather' 😊

In the course of today's visits: met an adorable hedgehoglet named Maisie who sat on the kitchen table by my cuppa, occasionally adding a thoughtful snuffle to the conversation. Elsewhere, a chat about chickens & some philosophising on troublesome cocks. All in a day's work & it's great being back!

Post church morning tea surpise: the return of the Crawford (Crawfurd) Kirk communion pitcher from 1764. Apparently, someone in the village was doing a clear out of their house, came across it, & handed it in to an elder. How cool is that?!

Current state of play...

Currently working away to the sounds of gentle cat snores coming from the couch. It's quite soothing. Earlier had some side-eye from said cat who was only too aware that there was Medicine in her wet food. This was utterly shunned in preference for the bowl of dry kibble elsewhere. Oh, little cat.

Small house guest settling in with a little CatTV. Welcome, wee Bella😊

Call of the Mild Grate Expectations The Sword in the Scone Lady Chatterly's Mother The Handmaid's Tail

🤣

Just put in my application for the Wimbledon 2026 ticket ballot: and now, let the waiting commence! 🎾 #wimbledon

Rossini's Cat Duet has been the earworm of the day so far. Please... make it stop🐈🐈

Tonight: Ras el hanout chicken with a twist. And it's glorious. 8 portions left #batchcooking

Currently finding comfort in simple things to help centre the soul. The latest 'reset' has been the delight in rediscovering my joy for cooking: making meals not just for fuel but pleasure. Tonight: the most glorious stir-fry prawns in an improvised lemongrass sauce. Yum! #simplejoys #healthyfood

I was today years old when I learnt that a baby flamingo is a 'flamingling'. What a joyful word to say out loud - and also, a wee bit like the word banana, a word that can easily run away with itself☺️🦩🍌 h/t to @franniemunro.bsky.social

Finally discharged from hospital on Fri evening: now off for 4 weeks & in a 'wait & see' holding pattern. Meanwhile, being ministered to by wee white cat at a pal's place. She (cat) is sleeping so peacefully at my foot that I dare not move - her gentle way of enforcing bed rest?!🤣