An Agreeable Place

This picture for me , tells many a story ...


Treasure isn’t always something to have and to hold , but very often memories, that can be sustaining, nurturing and encouraging. This picture contains a lot of that for me. A rural Scottish cottage I have always loved and chose over city life.


We had a fine dwelling house in Edinburgh’s fashionable new town, which we decided to sell and head to the country to paint and create and live more simply. The inspiration to do this was largely this old cottage you see in the background, namely Dalbuie. In the Gaelic, meaning ‘An agreeable place’, and so it is. Another meaning is ‘Yellow field’ which I suppose back then (more than 250 years ago) would mean favourable pasture. This old treasure has been George’s family holiday home for 50 years this coming February.


In many ways it has been a constant for many of us. Other homes have come and gone for different reasons . But Dalbuie was always there. It is now time for it to pass to the care of another, for new treasured memories to be made. And we wish whoever that may be as much happiness as we have known .


Hydrangeas, I have known all of my life. My Grandparents' garden, parents' garden, never in mine because I found them too blowsy, and the most dreadful show offs. But the years have softened me, and probably mostly entering the flower world, where my eyes were opened to see beauty in a new way. Constance Spry always encouraged it. They are now a best flower friend and provide both Summer and Winter floral inspiration. These lace caps are a little less showy, and very lovely. Lots of cuttings being taken. And lots of the blowsy girls too!

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