Celtic Compass

13/08/2022

Isle of Staffa and Fingals cave, Inner Hebrides, Scotland

The name Staffa comes from the Norse 'star' meaning staff and is so named because of the distinctive columnar basalt structure. The island is home to a number of caves the most famous being Fingals cave, also known as nature's cathedral.

The island and the cave have caught writers, poets and explorers imagination throughout history.

Sir Walter Scott was mesmerised by the cave and wrote in 1810

“Yesterday we visited Staffa and Iona: The former is one of the most extraordinary places I ever beheld. It exceeded, in my mind, every description I had heard of it; or rather the appearance of the cavern, composed entirely of basaltic pillars as high as the roof of a cathedral, and running deep into the rock, eternally swept by a deep and swelling sea, and paved, as it were, with ruddy marble, baffles all description. You can walk along the broken pillars, with some difficulty, and in some places with a little danger, as far as the farthest extremity.”

It inspired part of his epic poem The Lord of the Isles and is beautifully described in the fourth canto of the poem.

The cave has the most extraordinary acoustics, as any cathedral should and this has even been noted in the poem, Staffa, the Island - Fingal’s Cave’ by John Keats who likens it to a church organ: Mendelssohn was so taken with Staffa and Fingal's cave it inspired his Hebridean Overture.

The Gaelic name of the cave is ‘An Uamh Bhinn’ which means the melodious cave.
One early traveller described a fellow traveller singing in the cave as follows:

“Her voice vibrated throughout the columns, becoming fuller and more powerful, the tones seemed to take on a new life, the held notes became stronger; the religious majesty of the location infused these harmonies with something beautiful and grandiose. Everyone applauded and it seemed that even the gods of this enchanted place echoed this applause in the air. “

Staffa is a truly magnificent and awe-inspiring place to visit, there is also a stone throne wishing chair on the island a place to request your dreams to become a reality. It is a place to spend time and marvel at nature’s wonders.

https://www.celticcompass.com/

01/08/2022

Today marks the Celtic Festival of Lughnasadh (Irish Gaelic) or Lunasdal (Scottish Gaelic).

It takes place on the 1st August, marking the midpoint of the summer half of the year between May and November. It marks the beginning of the harvest season which continues until the last sheep and cattle were bought in from the high pastures. The farmers reap their first ears of wheat , oats and barley. Berries are ripening in the hedgerows, fields and gardens, ready for jam making, a time of celebration of earth's bounty, in the old days a time for feast and festival. Traditional Highland games capture the atmosphere of celebration of the old harvest festivals with the showing of prize vegetables and fruit and traditional crafts. Well worth visiting a Highland games if there is one near you and doff a cap the farmers who work so hard to produce good produce and enjoy the games.

Happy Lughnasadh to you all.

https://www.celticcompass.com

18/07/2022

View to Iona, its Abbey and the highest point on the island, Dun I. With the well of eternal youth nestled below the summit it is a wonderful place to contemplate and see the boats passing by on their way to the islands North and South.

The islands of the West coast of Scotland are pure magic when the weather holds fair. Perfect day for a bit of boating activity and dolphin watching or just soaking in the serene atmosphere of the place.

https://www.celticcompass.com/

21/06/2022

Wishing everyone a very Happy Solstice from some happy Hebridean sheep who even have their own balloons to celebrate!

12/06/2022

All very quiet at the filling station, a mummy duck and her ducklings have moved in, maybe the humans have gone back to pony and traps!

26/04/2022

10/04/2022

"Nature is always lovely, invincible, glad, whatever is done and suffered by her creatures. All scars she heals, whether in rocks or water or sky or hearts."

John Muir - 1838 -1914
A founder of the Conservation Movement and known as "the father of the national parks" in America and also as `John of the Mountains.

10/03/2022

We are pleased to announce our first labyrinth workshop of 2022 will be taking place in April.

Labyrinths are powerful tools to connect with the landscape. They can be transformational and also used as a tool for healing, meditation, prayer walks, problem solving and ceremony.

The workshop will take place in beautiful East Lothian which is just east of Edinburgh. There are many wonderful sandy beaches nearby with the back drop of the Lammermuir hills and an area with a rich history there is much to explore and enjoy. Why not make a weekend of it or short break and come and learn how to work with labyrinths and get a restorative breath of fresh air by the sea.

For more information please visit the website.

https://www.celticcompass.com/about/workshops/

We will be posting more details shortly so watch this space..

12/02/2022

Bride (Brigit), the goddess of spring - bringing fertility to the land and its people

Bride is much loved in the Hebrides, the islands have been called Bride's islands and she has a long association with the western seaboard of Scotland. Bride not only presides over spring, she has associations with silversmithing and metal work, art and as a healer, protector, midwife and was said to be the hand maiden at the birth of Christ and foster mother of Chirst. Her name is still invoked at childbirth as a proctector.

There are many tales about her and she is deeply entwined into Celtic mythology, there are shrines to her on many of the islands. On Iona in the Inner Hebrides nestled just below its highest point lies the Well of Eternal Youth associated with Bride or Brigit and rebirth. The painting below depicts Bride being gently carried from Iona to Bethlehem by angels to be an aid for Mary at the birth of Christ. The colours are glorious and convey a great sense of beauty and love and care for Bride.

This beautiful oil painting is by John Duncan, a renowned Scottish Artist who was pivotal to the Celtic Revival movement at the start of the last century. The painting is on display in the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh.

https://www.celticcomapass.com/

16/01/2022

"Some feelings are to mortals given,
With less of earth in them than heaven"

Sir Walter Scott

Hoping you can come and join us and explore the sublime beauty of the Scottish islands this summer.

https://www.celticcompass.com/

02/01/2022

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year from the land of puffins. Here's to 2022 and hope you can come and visit!

https://www.celticcompass.com/

17/12/2021

This beautiful stone circle is located near the shores of Loch Tay in the central Highlands of Scotland. The area surrounding the loch is rich in neolithic monuments, including many stone circles, one can but wonder the many things they have witnessed over the years and the tales they could tell. One of our offerings for next year will be storytelling on the shores of Lochy Tay and an exploration of these magical places.

https://www.celticcompass.com/

24/11/2021

Some words for thanksgiving -

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.

Extract from Beannacht - John O'Donohue

Blessings to you all

https://www.celticcompass.com/

18/10/2021

Wonderful to have close company of a Doe and her Fawn, sighted whilst travelling across the Isle of Mull.

Under the pines and hemlocks
So thick the needles lie
You scarcely hear
The shy, dun deer
With its young go softly by.
Follow, follow,
By hill and hollow,
The dun buck bells to the doe,
The moon is bright,
And we feed tonight
Where the buckthorn thickets grow.

Under the pines and the hemlocks
The thick, white cloud mists creep,
And drip all down
The needles brown
Where the dun deer lies asleep.
Follow, follow,
By hill and hollow,
The doe to her spotted fawn;
'Tis dark o' the moon,
But day comes soon
For I sniff the breath of the dawn.

Under the pines and hemlocks
Flickers through light and shade
The deer to his lair
In the deep fern there,
Or to pasture in open glade.
Follow, follow,
By hill and hollow,
Dun buck, and fawn and doe.
The sun is high
And by day we lie
Where only the deer must know.

- Mary Austin

https://www.celticcompass.com

23/09/2021

In the deep fall
don’t you imagine the leaves think how
comfortable it will be to touch
the earth instead of the
nothingness of air and the endless
freshets of wind? And don’t you think
the trees themselves, especially those with mossy,
warm caves, begin to think

of the birds that will come — six, a dozen — to sleep
inside their bodies? And don’t you hear
the goldenrod whispering goodbye,
the everlasting being crowned with the first
tuffets of snow? The pond
vanishes, and the white field over which
the fox runs so quickly brings out
its blue shadows. And the wind pumps its
bellows. And at evening especially,
the piled firewood shifts a little,
longing to be on its way.

~ Mary Oliver

https://www.celticcompass.com

12/09/2021

When the heart is ready for a fresh beginning, unforeseen things can emerge. And in a sense, this is exactly what a beginning does. It is an opening for surprises. Surrounding the intention and the act of beginning, there are always exciting possibilities. Such beginnings have their own mind, and they invite and unveil new gifts and arrivals in one's life. Beginnings are new horizons that want to be seen; they are not regressions or repetitions. Somehow they win clearance and become fiercely free of the grip of the past.
What is the new horizon in you that wants to be seen?

JOHN O'DONOHUE

https://www.celticcompass.com/

26/08/2021

Beautiful art in the sand - a compass!

25/07/2021

Very excited about our upcoming geology walks on Iona with highly respected geologist James Westland.

Did you know the oldest rocks on Iona are over 2000 million years old? The colours of the rocks are simply stunning. We will walk south towards St Columba’s Bay, where Iona’s prized greenstone can be found, small pebbles of which are known as St Columba's tears. James will identify any of the beautiful pebbles you find. Then onto the Iona quarry with its world famous marble and interesting history.

Throughout the day James will explain how the landscape was formed making you feel connected with Iona as you walk this ancient land. Please come and join us for what is a fascinating day out, group number limited to 6 and fully complaint with present government Covid guidelines.

https://www.celticcompass.com/about/daytours/

10/07/2021

Wonderful to see all the natural dyes hanging out at the local weavers. Beautiful colours from Tansy, Red Onion, Gorse and Madder.

https://www.celticcompass.com

15/05/2021

Hello, I know you are in there it's time to come out and play!

With the easing of restrictions on the Scottish Islands, we are just about ready to announce our day tour dates and some very exciting news. New for 2021 we are going to be running some great fun soy candle workshops using organic essential oils to give heavenly scents and Celtic jewellery making. Workshops will take place on mainland Scotland and the Isles of Mull and Iona, dates to be announced very shortly so you can take a little bit of magic back home with you.
https://www.celticcompass.com/

24/04/2021

From next week Scotland will be open to uk visitors and we are very much looking forward to welcoming you back!

What could be better way to celebrate than eating freshly caught local seafood with a view of the sea - proper eating al fresco, we hope you enjoy.

https://www.celticcompass.com/

12/04/2021

The magnificent wildlife of Mull and Iona. Soon we will be opening up again and very much looking forward to welcoming you to come and explore the beautiful scenery and spot wildlife from puffins to eagles to otters, deer and dolphins. The beauty is all around.

Keep your eye on the website for exciting new day tour offerings coming soon.

"There is pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society where none intrudes,
By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:
I love not Man the less, but Nature more..."

Lord Byron

https://www.celticcompass.com/about/daytours/

03/04/2021

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter. Hoping your Easter is filled with joy, like this proud happy Mummy with her new babies, basking so contentedly in Hebridean sunshine.

Why I Wake Early - Mary Oliver

Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who made the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the
miserable and the crotchety –
best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light –
good morning, good morning, good morning.
Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness.


https://www.celticcompass.com/

27/03/2021

The night walked down the sky with the moon in her hand.

Frederick L Knowles

When the skies are clear in the Hebrides, the full moon is such a beautiful sight to behold.

https://www.celticcompass.com/

20/03/2021

Spring is officially here! More than ever a time for a Blessing

“For Equilibrium, a Blessing:

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.

As the wind loves to call things to dance,
May your gravity by lightened by grace.

Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth,
May your thoughts incline with reverence and respect.

As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.

As silence smiles on the other side of what's said,
May your sense of irony bring perspective.

As time remains free of all that it frames,
May your mind stay clear of all it names.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough
to hear in the depths the laughter of god.”

To Bless the Space Between Us - John O'Donohue

13/03/2021

The mighty Fingals cave on the Isle of Staffa. It has many legends associated with it. It is known as Nature's Cathedral and named after the mighty Fionn MacCumhal – a great warrior and a giant said to be the greatest warrior of all in both Irish and Scottish mythology. Great tales are told of him and his band of Fianna (followers) great warriors themselves. Not only was Fionn a warrior he was also a great poet and very wise, having tasted the salmon that swam from the well of wisdom. He travelled with his son’s Ossain, and Oscar. Their epic doings are immortalised in the poetical works of Ossain by James Macpherson in the 18th century.

Below some of Finn's musings.

The music of what happens

Once as the Fianna and Finn rested on a chase,

a debate arose amongst them as to what was the finest music in the world

“Tell us that” said Fionn, turning to Oisin

“The cuckoo calling from the tree that is highest in the hedge cried his merry son”

“A good sound” said Fionn and you Oscar he asked “what is to your mind the finest music?”

“The top of music is the ring of a spear on a shield!” cried the stout lad

“It is a good sound!” said Fionn

And the other champions told of their delight

the belling of a stag across the water, the baying of a tuneful pack heard in the distance the song of a lark the laugher of a gleeful girl or the whisper of a moved one

“They are all good sounds all” said fionn

“Tell us chief what do you think”

“The music of what happens” said great Fionn “that is the finest music in the world”

https://www.celticcompass.com/

06/03/2021

There is a great peace to be found walking gently along the white sandy beaches of the Ross of Mull and Iona. There are so many coves and inlets to explore with fantastic wildlife; eagles, otters, deer, cormorants, lapwings to name but a few, so much to see all going about their business. A reminder as we gradually open up again to remember to take time to be in nature and find comfort in the simpler things. We hope we can show you come of these special, magical places later in the year.

"Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence." excerpt from Desiderata - Max Ehrmann -1927

https://www.celticcompass.com/

24/02/2021

We are very much hoping to be able to run some of our geology tours again this summer on Mull and Iona. A day trip exploring is such fun especially when the weather is glorious. We show you all the nooks and crannies you would probably otherwise pass by, not knowing what gems were there, such as amethysts and fossilised remains on Mull and volcanic d***s on Iona and rocks revered for their healing properties, such as Iona greenstone.

https://www.celticcompass.com/

14/02/2021

There is a lovely idea in the Celtic tradition that if you send out goodness from yourself, or if you share that which is happy or good within you, it will all come back to you multiplied ten thousand times. In the kingdom of love there is no competition, there is no possessiveness or control. The more love you give away, the more love you will have.

John O'Donohue

https://www.celticcompass.com/