Claire MacKay
@highlandherbalist.bsky.social
Herbalist, writer, dreamer, over-thinker, sometimes strums guitar.
The start of something...
Every Little Seed
With every little seed
We can start again
Go back to when
The soil knew
We needed it
Oh, every little seed.
From my #morningsong sessions
I'm writing a song a day!
@wildsung on Instagram
#morningmusic #songseeker #songwriter #scottishmusic #wildsung
Every Little Seed
With every little seed
We can start again
Go back to when
The soil knew
We needed it
Oh, every little seed.
From my #morningsong sessions
I'm writing a song a day!
@wildsung on Instagram
#morningmusic #songseeker #songwriter #scottishmusic #wildsung
September 15, 2025 at 9:19 PM
The start of something...
Every Little Seed
With every little seed
We can start again
Go back to when
The soil knew
We needed it
Oh, every little seed.
From my #morningsong sessions
I'm writing a song a day!
@wildsung on Instagram
#morningmusic #songseeker #songwriter #scottishmusic #wildsung
Every Little Seed
With every little seed
We can start again
Go back to when
The soil knew
We needed it
Oh, every little seed.
From my #morningsong sessions
I'm writing a song a day!
@wildsung on Instagram
#morningmusic #songseeker #songwriter #scottishmusic #wildsung
So many moments of magic at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre this week with Boo Hewerdine & Yvonne Lyon. Writing and performing my song Wild Poetry and then have this beautiful mandolin join in was a moment of utter joy, though. So much Wonder (our theme). #songwriter #songwriting #scottishmusic
September 8, 2025 at 10:38 AM
So many moments of magic at Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre this week with Boo Hewerdine & Yvonne Lyon. Writing and performing my song Wild Poetry and then have this beautiful mandolin join in was a moment of utter joy, though. So much Wonder (our theme). #songwriter #songwriting #scottishmusic
Actual paradise.... also known as Moniack Mhor creative writing centre. My home for the week, on a songwriting retreat with Boo Hewerdine and Yvonne Lyon. Such a wonderful space, full of magic!
September 1, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Actual paradise.... also known as Moniack Mhor creative writing centre. My home for the week, on a songwriting retreat with Boo Hewerdine and Yvonne Lyon. Such a wonderful space, full of magic!
Staring out at the setting-sun tonight over the Firth tonight, this tune came fully to me- from some nostalgic recess in my brain. I think my grandfather sang it to me when I was little. Had to look up the lyrics... Where you gonna be when the sun goes down, my fisherman? youtu.be/CV4w7CSLq2A?... ❤️
August 31, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Staring out at the setting-sun tonight over the Firth tonight, this tune came fully to me- from some nostalgic recess in my brain. I think my grandfather sang it to me when I was little. Had to look up the lyrics... Where you gonna be when the sun goes down, my fisherman? youtu.be/CV4w7CSLq2A?... ❤️
Turns out this Queen flowers when she wants....
Queen of the Night, who's 'one-night-only' blooms I missed in July, has just decided to put on a second performance.
This never happens!
I'm ecstatic....
Queen of the Night, who's 'one-night-only' blooms I missed in July, has just decided to put on a second performance.
This never happens!
I'm ecstatic....
August 30, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Turns out this Queen flowers when she wants....
Queen of the Night, who's 'one-night-only' blooms I missed in July, has just decided to put on a second performance.
This never happens!
I'm ecstatic....
Queen of the Night, who's 'one-night-only' blooms I missed in July, has just decided to put on a second performance.
This never happens!
I'm ecstatic....
I really want someone to write me letters like this one... Maybe I should start the trend? Not sure how I go about getting my head on a wax stamp? Any ideas ?! :>
August 29, 2025 at 8:56 PM
I really want someone to write me letters like this one... Maybe I should start the trend? Not sure how I go about getting my head on a wax stamp? Any ideas ?! :>
Seeing stars...
Contemplating the Rose family, and the 'sign of Venus'...
also known as...
'Making a 45 minute walk home take almost 2 hours.' ⭐
Contemplating the Rose family, and the 'sign of Venus'...
also known as...
'Making a 45 minute walk home take almost 2 hours.' ⭐
August 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Seeing stars...
Contemplating the Rose family, and the 'sign of Venus'...
also known as...
'Making a 45 minute walk home take almost 2 hours.' ⭐
Contemplating the Rose family, and the 'sign of Venus'...
also known as...
'Making a 45 minute walk home take almost 2 hours.' ⭐
Cromarty fired it up to the MAX this weekend. I honestly think our wee town is complete now! 🔥🔥🥵 cromartysauna.com
August 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Cromarty fired it up to the MAX this weekend. I honestly think our wee town is complete now! 🔥🔥🥵 cromartysauna.com
The absolute best of Fridays. Cromarty pulls it off again...
August 23, 2025 at 12:18 PM
The absolute best of Fridays. Cromarty pulls it off again...
Cromarty wishes ye a jovial Thor's day! ⚡️
August 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Cromarty wishes ye a jovial Thor's day! ⚡️
Moon magic afoot...
August 13, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Moon magic afoot...
Thanks Allan, for the making bedtimes a treat for so many generations!
Hope he is eating plum pie in the sun up there....
This was Luna's favourite. Funnybones was always the one for me!
Hope he is eating plum pie in the sun up there....
This was Luna's favourite. Funnybones was always the one for me!
August 1, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Thanks Allan, for the making bedtimes a treat for so many generations!
Hope he is eating plum pie in the sun up there....
This was Luna's favourite. Funnybones was always the one for me!
Hope he is eating plum pie in the sun up there....
This was Luna's favourite. Funnybones was always the one for me!
PASSIONFLOWER! 💚
Passiflora caerulea. This beauty grows above my basement. As far as I know It is around 46 yrs old, making it older than me- just!
I love how resilient it is too. Nearly died a couple of times over winter and receded to a single green shoot, but quickly recovered.
Passiflora caerulea. This beauty grows above my basement. As far as I know It is around 46 yrs old, making it older than me- just!
I love how resilient it is too. Nearly died a couple of times over winter and receded to a single green shoot, but quickly recovered.
July 31, 2025 at 10:15 AM
PASSIONFLOWER! 💚
Passiflora caerulea. This beauty grows above my basement. As far as I know It is around 46 yrs old, making it older than me- just!
I love how resilient it is too. Nearly died a couple of times over winter and receded to a single green shoot, but quickly recovered.
Passiflora caerulea. This beauty grows above my basement. As far as I know It is around 46 yrs old, making it older than me- just!
I love how resilient it is too. Nearly died a couple of times over winter and receded to a single green shoot, but quickly recovered.
Humoral medicine chart and urine diagnosis from pre-18thC medical MSS in Padova #MUSME - previously the oldest training hospital in Europe.
Some of the samples on this chart are disconcerting!
#histmed #padova #humoralism
Some of the samples on this chart are disconcerting!
#histmed #padova #humoralism
July 30, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Humoral medicine chart and urine diagnosis from pre-18thC medical MSS in Padova #MUSME - previously the oldest training hospital in Europe.
Some of the samples on this chart are disconcerting!
#histmed #padova #humoralism
Some of the samples on this chart are disconcerting!
#histmed #padova #humoralism
Buzzing for the first part of a Songwriting Masterclass with Boo Hewerdine tonight!
Looking forward to going deeper into the songwriting process and refining my own style.
Hoping to join the retreat in September too.
Moniack Mhor have some brilliant retreats for creative folk!
moniackmhor.org.uk
Looking forward to going deeper into the songwriting process and refining my own style.
Hoping to join the retreat in September too.
Moniack Mhor have some brilliant retreats for creative folk!
moniackmhor.org.uk
July 29, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Buzzing for the first part of a Songwriting Masterclass with Boo Hewerdine tonight!
Looking forward to going deeper into the songwriting process and refining my own style.
Hoping to join the retreat in September too.
Moniack Mhor have some brilliant retreats for creative folk!
moniackmhor.org.uk
Looking forward to going deeper into the songwriting process and refining my own style.
Hoping to join the retreat in September too.
Moniack Mhor have some brilliant retreats for creative folk!
moniackmhor.org.uk
Oh, hallo there!
Echinacea purpurea.
In my garden.
Yes!!!!
Echinacea purpurea.
In my garden.
Yes!!!!
July 28, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Oh, hallo there!
Echinacea purpurea.
In my garden.
Yes!!!!
Echinacea purpurea.
In my garden.
Yes!!!!
Denise Levertov
Making Peace
"The poets must give us imagination of peace..." 🙏
Making Peace
"The poets must give us imagination of peace..." 🙏
July 28, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Denise Levertov
Making Peace
"The poets must give us imagination of peace..." 🙏
Making Peace
"The poets must give us imagination of peace..." 🙏
Suddenly, not missing swimming in the sea so much!
July 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Suddenly, not missing swimming in the sea so much!
Dolphins never fail to pull a crowd. Going to bed with a happy heart this evening! 🐬
July 23, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Dolphins never fail to pull a crowd. Going to bed with a happy heart this evening! 🐬
Hope on the horizon...
Made it to the beach today (with a little help), to gaze at these healing skies. Feeling so grateful that we live in this beautiful place. I will never tire of seeing Life through the Sutors' lens. 🙏❤
Made it to the beach today (with a little help), to gaze at these healing skies. Feeling so grateful that we live in this beautiful place. I will never tire of seeing Life through the Sutors' lens. 🙏❤
July 22, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Hope on the horizon...
Made it to the beach today (with a little help), to gaze at these healing skies. Feeling so grateful that we live in this beautiful place. I will never tire of seeing Life through the Sutors' lens. 🙏❤
Made it to the beach today (with a little help), to gaze at these healing skies. Feeling so grateful that we live in this beautiful place. I will never tire of seeing Life through the Sutors' lens. 🙏❤
Tiugainn leam! (Uist Tramping Song)
Sung by Luna (aged 6) who learned it at Bun-sgoil Inbhir Pheofharain/ Dingwall Gàidhlig school.
Moments like this make me feel so happy we sent her to Gàidhlig Medium Education.
Such a proud Mamaidh!! 🏴❤️
#Gàidhlig #Gaelicsongs #Gaelicmediumeducation #Uist
Sung by Luna (aged 6) who learned it at Bun-sgoil Inbhir Pheofharain/ Dingwall Gàidhlig school.
Moments like this make me feel so happy we sent her to Gàidhlig Medium Education.
Such a proud Mamaidh!! 🏴❤️
#Gàidhlig #Gaelicsongs #Gaelicmediumeducation #Uist
July 20, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Tiugainn leam! (Uist Tramping Song)
Sung by Luna (aged 6) who learned it at Bun-sgoil Inbhir Pheofharain/ Dingwall Gàidhlig school.
Moments like this make me feel so happy we sent her to Gàidhlig Medium Education.
Such a proud Mamaidh!! 🏴❤️
#Gàidhlig #Gaelicsongs #Gaelicmediumeducation #Uist
Sung by Luna (aged 6) who learned it at Bun-sgoil Inbhir Pheofharain/ Dingwall Gàidhlig school.
Moments like this make me feel so happy we sent her to Gàidhlig Medium Education.
Such a proud Mamaidh!! 🏴❤️
#Gàidhlig #Gaelicsongs #Gaelicmediumeducation #Uist
New view for the forseeable! There's a warning about carrying too many books in your suitcase in this photo- or going barefoot, perhaps. Either way the outcome is a bit of time in bed to read, so perhaps not all that bad afterall! The Herb Society providing the best of company too! 💚#Silverlinings
July 19, 2025 at 1:00 PM
New view for the forseeable! There's a warning about carrying too many books in your suitcase in this photo- or going barefoot, perhaps. Either way the outcome is a bit of time in bed to read, so perhaps not all that bad afterall! The Herb Society providing the best of company too! 💚#Silverlinings
Evening Chorus from a flighty goldfinch and friends.
July 16, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Evening Chorus from a flighty goldfinch and friends.
Open afresh your round of starry folds,
Ye ardent marigolds!
Dry up the moisture from your golden lips.
~ I Stood Tiptoe Upon a Little Hill, John Keats
Ye ardent marigolds!
Dry up the moisture from your golden lips.
~ I Stood Tiptoe Upon a Little Hill, John Keats
July 16, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Open afresh your round of starry folds,
Ye ardent marigolds!
Dry up the moisture from your golden lips.
~ I Stood Tiptoe Upon a Little Hill, John Keats
Ye ardent marigolds!
Dry up the moisture from your golden lips.
~ I Stood Tiptoe Upon a Little Hill, John Keats
'Doon the watter' on the Clyde Estuary. Highlight here is Waverley spotting. Everyone downs tasks and runs to the window: "Waverly!" It's like the start of Mary Poppins when Admiral Boom's canon goes off. Langbank- named after sandbanks on the river here. The channel big enough for warships to pass.
July 15, 2025 at 11:05 AM
'Doon the watter' on the Clyde Estuary. Highlight here is Waverley spotting. Everyone downs tasks and runs to the window: "Waverly!" It's like the start of Mary Poppins when Admiral Boom's canon goes off. Langbank- named after sandbanks on the river here. The channel big enough for warships to pass.