Welcome to Our Natural Place
Please make yourself at home
Hello and welcome. This is a place for people who appreciate that, over recent centuries, our species’ increasing detachment from living as a part of nature has lessened us as beings. It is for:
Individuals who need relief from the built environment, and would like to restore their spirits and recharge their energies by greater contact with the green, living world.
Curious minds who take notice of wildlife, landscape and rural activities, and want to understand them better.
Everyone seeking fulfilment through a deeper connection with nature, landscape and the wildness inside ourselves.
I hope that through writing this publication I will:
inform those who would like to know more about nature, landscape and human interaction with it, particularly in the context of Scotland.
entertain those looking for engrossing reading about the natural world.
help people discover or deepen their relationship with the nature.
‘find my tribe’ and connect with people who enjoy exploring the same topics as me.
become part of a network of writers, photographers, and artists celebrating the importance of the natural world. I want our messages to spread and gain wider coverage.
Why am I writing here?
In part I am hoping to find a new writing direction, through doing rather than thinking. In the past my overly analytical brain has often led me to paralysis rather than production. I've always been a slow writer, cogitating over every sentence rather than letting it flow. Maybe here I can be a bit freer?
Up until now my writing output has been dominated by paid work – my words have been tailored to suit a publication and its audience (in practical terms, an editor and their readership).
I have always wanted to write more about the things that interest me, but often have only a small space to mention these subjects in my work, rather than exploring them more deeply. For instance, while researching places for a walks guidebook I may be fascinated by rare wildflowers, entranced by a seabird colony, intrigued by the visible geology or astounded by remarkably well preserved archaeology.
I long to go into details and celebrate the significance of what I experience, but usually can do no more than squeeze in one fact, such as "the Kilmartin sculptured grave slabs reflect the Gaelic warrior culture of this region during the Middle Ages”.
So, in this blog, I want to indulge in writing in greater depth about nature, place, and their connection to people. I'm not sure yet what shape this will take, but I'm willing to let it unfold as I go. I hope you will join me on the journey.
Over time I hope we can create a self-sustaining community, interested in similar topics, so that we can provide mutual support and assist each other to extend our reach. What are your preoccupations? How can I shape this publication to meet what you are looking for? Please let me know with an email reply or by commenting below if you’re reading this post on the website.
There is no paywall, so you can read all posts, which I aim to write weekly, for free. You can find more information Our Natural Place about on the About page.
Sounds like an interesting space. I look forward to seeing it unfold. I too am disturbed by disconnection from the natural world and my husband & I take every opportunity to connect with the wild. Wishing you all the best.