Below, you will find some of my writings on slow, seasonal living, wellness, and, of course, some business updates and announcements!
Look out for exclusive features, articles and interviews, all written to inspire a deeper connection with yourself, your community, and the planet.
Small Business Spotlight: Seven Chaga
Introducing our brand new feature, SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT interviews!
In this series, we’ll shine the spotlight on some of Scotland’s most talented small businesses—our makers, creators, nurturers, and explorers!
Through interviews, we’ll introduce you to the passionate individuals behind these local businesses, each dedicated to nature, slow, seasonal living, and traditional practices.
Join us as we celebrate their creativity, vision, and dedication to their work. I hope their stories will inspire and motivate you to reconnect with nature and forge your own path.
First, in this series, we have Seven Chaga, who has supported Slow Living Scotland constantly since we began in 2019. Co-founder Autumn recently designed all the artwork for our last event and has been a huge support for all things business and marketing-related! I felt it was only right that this wonderful family business kicked off this new feature!
7 of the Best Botanical-Inspired Winter Workshops
As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, winter may seem like a time to hibernate.
But for those passionate about plants, the cold season offers a unique opportunity to dive deeper into the world of botanicals. Scotland, with its lush landscapes and rich horticultural history, is home to a variety of workshops that embrace the beauty of nature even in the frostiest months.
10 Must Visit Festive Markets in 2024!
It’s that time of year again when everybody and anybody is hosting a Christmas market! ✨
Of course, we can’t attend them all, so I’ve saved you some time and whittled the list down to my top 10 festive markets I recommend you visit this year.
New event announced… FESTIVE FAYRE
As the days become colder and the nights start drawing in, I have had an immense urge to coorie doon and create something new and cosy to get through the winter nights… and help tackle that Christmas shopping list!
In a recent post on social media, I discussed the idea of an autumn market. Missing the feeling of the Conscious Markets I used to create, I yearned for something similar, but unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything that hit the spot for me the way my markets have done in previous years. So, despite me saying I wouldn’t be organising any events again, 3 months later, you guessed it, I am organising an event!
A little update and some exciting news…
I’m writing to you from the comfort of my sofa on what can only be described as a typical Scottish summer day… yes, rain!
This is my first time writing a blog post in so long, but it feels good to be back. It’s been a busy year so far, with many changes and discoveries, but hopefully, this is the start of something new and exciting for me. The main reason I’m writing is to explain where I have been the past few months and where I hope Slow Living Scotland will go.
My last event was over eight months ago, and whilst I had the fleeting idea of putting on something this summer, the event had to be cancelled for various reasons, and to be honest, I was relieved…
7 Slow Living Ways to Beat the Winter Blues
As November approaches, summer starts to feel like a distant memory. The rich colours of Autumn have begun to fade, and the cold of winter starts to creep its way in. I don’t think it matters what season you favour most; the bleakness of winter always seems to be a little uninvited as we cling to the last of the warming sun and the joy of not having to de-ice our car windows every morning!
We don’t always have to dread the winter, though. I am a firm believer in embracing the cold and going with its flow rather than against it. It is said that the Scandinavians are one of the happiest nations in the world, partly because they embrace the long winters and enjoy the season for what it truly is.
7 Ways To Boost Your Immune System This Winter
We all know how much easier it is to stay healthy in summer. Water is a must to help cool you down, fresh fruit and vegetables are in abundance, gardens and allotments are brimming with fresh produce, spending time outdoors is a luxury and the hot summer sun makes us happy and topped up with all the vitamin D we need.
However, it might surprise you to know it’s actually just as easy to stay healthy in winter. All that is required is a little more thought and some help from wonderful nature.
Forest Bathing: The Healing Power of Nature
There is a word in Japanese which describes my most favourite light. ‘Komorebi’ (komo-ray-bee) means light which filters through the leaves and trees. Anyone who has spent any time walking in nature will have experienced this light and will know the wonderful atmosphere it creates. For me, this light is naturally calming and its beauty fills me with a great deal of joy.
There is another endearing term in Japanese which signifies a healing effect of the forest. ‘Shinrin-yoku’ (shin-rin-yo-koo) is the art of forest bathing.
2021: A Year For Change - Root & Branch Magazine
2021: A Year For Change - Root & Branch Magazine - Jan/Feb 2021
Coping in Uncertain Times
I think it’s safe to say that 2020 has had its fair share of downs and very few ups. From the start of the year, we have been plagued with the Coronavirus pandemic which has caused thousands of people all of the world to lose their lives and millions more to become hospitalised. The inevitable lockdown of the country forced our economy to crash and our smallest and most vulnerable businesses to close. It caused thousands of people to lose their jobs and homes, our children lost out on proper education for months and the most vulnerable people in society were left without many of their basic necessities overnight.