When we were on holiday in Arran a few years ago, I took this photograph of the Holy Isle in the Firth of Clyde.

The old Gaelic name for the island was Eilean Molaise, named after a 6th century monk Saint Molaise who lived in a cave there.

The island has always had religious connections. There was a monastery in the 13th century and there’s a spring which is said to have healing properties.

The Holy Isle is now the perfect setting for the Samyé Ling Buddhist Community who have frequent residential courses and retreats.

Part of the island is a nature reserve with ponies, sheep and goats. I found this photo of one the ponies on Wikipedia.

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Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close-bosom friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;
To bend with apples the mossed cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o’er-brimmed their clammy cells.
(From “To Autumn” by John Keats 1795-1821)

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This is a portrait of Maria Theresia von Paradis (1759-1824)  an Austrian composer and musician. She lost her sight when a very young child. It’s believed that Mozart wrote his Piano Concerto No.18 in B flat especially for her.   

Sicilienne, one of her compositions, has always been a great favourite of mine. It’s played here by the cellist Jacqueline Du Pré (1945-1987) accompanied by Gerald Moore.



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