Vellum from Malcolm Beaton's composite collection on Virtues Aqua vitae - 'uiscebeatha' NLS Edinburgh

Whisky is the one I love...

As the song Comunn an uisge-beathaby Lachlan Macpherson of Strathmashie begins, and confirms the high regard which the Gaels held f...

Highland woman taking part in the Lunastal harvest

August 1st 2018 is Earth Overshoot Day

I couldn't believe the irony when I came across the above post yesterday  on social media, announcing Earth Overshoot Day, on the Celtic Festival of Lughnasadh (Viking fes...

 The 'Culloden Medicine Chest of Bonnie Prince Charlie's Physician' Photo Courtesy of The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 

It is a delight to be given the opportunity to speak about the importance of the contents of the Thriepland Chest, belonging to the '...

I was delighted to see this intriguing page from the Gaelic Medical Manuscripts featured in the wonderful National Library for Scotland exhibition on the Plague.  The exhibition ran from December 2015 until 29th May, but you can catch a glimpse of some of the contents...

It is with great pleasure that I announce the launch of the Scots Pharmacopoeia project website.  Over the coming months we will be sharing information about our plans to create a pharmacopoeia of Highland herbs, based on research and Materia Medica from the early G...

Here’s another little gem of synchronicity that guided me in my research of 18th century Scottish herbal remedies:

My friend was gardening for a regular client one day, and noticed she seemed somewhat ‘solemn’.  Being a compassionate soul, my friend enquired as to her...

We love this project of the Ancient-Biotic group at Nottingham university.  Showing how a 10th century remedy was effective in inhibiting the MRSA superbug.  Such an inspiring demonstration of how ancient knowledge can be relevant and applicable to modern times....