Highland Games
Typical calendar or events in a Highland Games. Everyone has great fun at these annual events, and they are replicated all over the world. Have you ever been to a Highland Games? Continue reading Highland Games
Month: November 2020
Four Men in a Dinghy
Prologue from A Storm in Any Port West Coast of Scotland – Fairly recently The skipper, mate and two deck hands who made up the crew of the chartered yacht, were feeling the effects of their combined ages of more than 300 years, as they motored into Puilladrobhain on Seil, an island just off the west coast of Scotland. Although none of them would admit it, the day’s motor sail from Crinan had taken its toll on both bodies and minds. The slightly corpulent, white haired skipper firmly believed he was a good sailor and had an inshore certificate to … Continue reading Four Men in a Dinghy
Eigg grocery store then and now
In the top photograph, my wife and editor of all my books, Ann. Imagine the grief I got for omitting this information from this post! Continue reading Eigg grocery store then and now
Eigg Highland Games
An island 10 miles off the west coast of Scotland, Eigg was hosting their annual Highland Games, and the fictional crew of the Emerald took part in the events of the ‘games’, including Tossing the Caber, Hammer throwing, the 100 yard sprint and the 400 yard relay race. For some fun stories surrounding this event, see chapter 32 and 33 of A storm in any port. Continue reading Eigg Highland Games
Gift idea for Christmas
With Christmas fast approaching, and a lot of uncertainty about how the pandemic is going to affect our Postal services, why not consider purchasing one or more of the books as a gift for someone here or abroad? A Storm in Any Port – Have a read of the Prologue – Click here Set principally in Scotland’s beautiful Western Isles with side trips to Hong Kong, the Lake District and the Balearic Islands, the narrative is an expose of an ambitious, accident prone Scot with a sailing bug who leads his scallywag crew and breathes life, fun and nostalgia into … Continue reading Gift idea for Christmas
Sean Connery
“Zander claims to have been the best of pals with Sean ‘Big Tam’ Connery, (seen here at an East Lothian swimming pool in the 50’s.)And while one went on to become a fantastic world acclaimed actor and personality, the other could only act out his own little fantasy of fame!” Continue reading Sean Connery
Fossils found in Menorca
When researching for part of my first book, a friend of mine, Ian Spiby who lives on the island, sent me some intriguing photos of large fossils he came across on the beach near Fornells, Menorca. Anyone have any ideas on what these creatures were? Ian has left his wristwatch to help estimate the size of these imprints. Continue reading Fossils found in Menorca
More Ports More Storms – On sale now
2nd Book of the Zander Trilogy is out now!! Here the mischief takes place in and around the towns, harbours and marinas of the East and West Coasts of Scotland and Zander even gets to Algeria. Travelling on a number of yachts, inflatables, rowing boats and a cruise liner, Zander and his gang of miscreants rub shoulders with; Kamikaze seagulls, head hunters, paratroopers, a dead fisherman, the Loch Ness Monster, ships’ pipers, terrorists, Oil Sheiks, a Clan chief, a Spanish Armada Galleon, Japanese tourists and a North African President. They also meet up with night club bouncers, ferocious dogs, pickpockets, … Continue reading More Ports More Storms – On sale now
Johnny Jones 