A Fortnight in Fife

August 5, 2023August 4, 2023 | Rebecca Gibson

I’ve recently returned from an amazing holiday in Fife with my family. I say holiday… I ended up working throughout, but in my defence it was the perfect opportunity to do some research for an upcoming project that I have to keep under my hat for now!

We’ve been holidaying in this particular cottage for the past 18 years, and I was both a lot shorter and nowhere near as bird savvy the first time we visited. Everything always stays exactly the same, prompting endless nostalgia and happy memories. The big difference this time was my 92-year-old nan came too, and being able to show her the place that’s become so special to us was such a treat.

Naturally, I was out and about watching wildlife. Butterfly Conservation hosted an open day at Tentsmuir during our stay and I leapt at the chance to explore the site with a knowledgeable guide. During the walk I saw my first grayling, and was stunned by how effective their camouflage is.

A visit to Edinburgh, one of my favourite cities, was a must. Again, I was there in search of butterflies, and I met up with a wonderful volunteer who showed me around Holyrood Park. We found two graylings and plenty of small skippers, and after parting ways I couldn’t help being a tourist and hiking up Arthur’s Seat for the first time.

I also indulged in lazy birdwatching from the house. Each morning a group of swallows swept around the cottage and perched on the drainpipe, just inches from the kitchen window. I usually only see swallows as distant specks in the sky, so it was fantastic to get such close-up views from the comfort of a plush armchair.

Finally I met up with my friend Kirstin, who happens to live down the road from the cottage. We took her gorgeous ponies on a hack and wandered through woodland and open fields, finishing with a splash in the River Tay. I hadn’t ridden since I was a child and it was so special to explore nature on horseback.

Nothing like a change of scenery and new wildlife sites to kickstart my inspiration again!

My First Guiding!

June 28, 2021June 28, 2021 | Rebecca Gibson

**The inspiring setting of Roseisle Forest**

Last week I made my debut as a wildlife guide! As part of the Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival I hosted a woodland writing workshop in my local patch in Moray. My own writing is always enhanced when I incorporate all my senses so during the workshop I encouraged the participants to pick up on sounds, smells and textures as well as sights.

For three hours we roamed through the forest, which on that sunny morning was full of birdsong and the last few coconutty whiffs of gorse flowers. I think the highlight for all of us was spotting a wood ant nest right beside the path. On closer inspection, we saw an individual ant carrying a feather three times its size!

**Kim, Suzy and Elizabeth reflecting on the forest walk**

**Liz checking her notes – it was lovely to hand write for a change!**

I loved sharing my patch with new people and hearing some really beautiful writing. I was particularly pleased that two of the ladies, Suzy and Elizabeth, became completely immersed in their own conversation. Suzy has since spoken about the workshop and her chat with Elizabeth on her podcast.

As this was my first guiding experience I was nervous about how it would go but I received some fantastic feedback. “I enjoyed your walk and workshop very much,” Elizabeth told me. “It was so good to slow down, listen to birdsong and look at trees and flowers. It was a memorable few hours.”

Elizabeth’s friend Martina also said that she felt absolutely no pressure when it came to the writing task, which I was delighted to hear. She described the new pine sprigs as “chandeliers”, and when she pointed them out to us it made complete sense! I think it’s far better for a writer to describe something they say in a way that’s unique to them, rather than a technical term that not everyone would know. When I see pine branches that look like this again I’ll think of Martina!

I was thrilled that the workshop went so well. I shall be running similar events in the next festival, taking place in September. As a writer who spends a lot of time working alone, it was a refreshing change to wander with like-minded women and share work and perspectives. What a rewarding morning!

Calm After the Storm

January 27, 2018January 27, 2018 | Rebecca Gibson

The past few months have been fairly hectic. University assignments have ranged from writing an article and designing its magazine layout, a 3500 word report discussing a client project and an exhibition designed from scratch.

There was a week or so once these were all submitted, then lectures started again. The blessing (or curse, as far as I’m concerned) of third year is we only have lectures on one day, leaving the rest of the week disconcertingly empty. This has made my need to stay busy ever greater, so this week we chose the driest day to go for a hill walk in the Lakes. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t taken my camera out for a long time, so it was time to dust it off.

The wildlife highlight came before we’d even left Grasmere. Zahrah’s keen eyes spotted a red squirrel hopping around not far from the road – obviously this one was accustomed to the comings and goings of Grasmere’s inhabitants. While Kerr and Conor fussed over the map, Zahrah and I watched the squirrel forage at the foot of a tree. Inevitably, I didn’t have my telephoto lens so I just enjoyed the view. Once the boys had figured out our route, we set off into the hills, blowing off the cobwebs that had gathered from being cooped up working.