Eskrigg Emotions

After a morning of writing, I rewarded myself with a walk around Eskrigg Nature Reserve in Lockerbie this afternoon.

This beautiful place has been the inspiration behind much of my writing: The Dragon of Annandale (a short story published in Lockerbie Writers’ Anthology in 2016) and Eskrigg Murmurations (a poem published in The Annandale Herald in 2019), for a start.

The Dragon of Annandale tells of how a dragon, who lives at Eskrigg, invents the sport of curling with the help of his woodland friends and a fairy from the island of Ailsa Craig. If you didn’t know already, Lockerbie is famous for curling, its stones crafted from the rock of Ailsa Craig (which is Gaelic for ‘fairy rock’). Hope you can see the connection? I am delighted to say that my story is read to any pre-school visitors to Eskrigg by the reserve ranger.

Eskrigg Murmurations

It’s dawn, and swans silently sweep the pond

dampening boisterous behaviour from ducks and

patrolling the banks for wayward dragonflies,

keeping spirits up and the weeds down.

Toads crouch under chanterelles whispering hints

to passing squirrels who have lost their nuts.

But the deer always heed the word of a toad

is as trustworthy as an adder’s tongue.

Half eaten apple cores and hazel nuts give sprout

amongst the four sisters who offer shelter,

their broad trunks shoulder the wind

and their branches a ladder to the penthouse suite for birds.

It’s dusk, and here we stand, mere spectators,

elusive as the yellow pimpernel.

Our touch is transient, tactful, and yet connected,

only leaving our footprints for nature to consume.

*

So, if you are ever driving up the A74(M), stop off at Lockerbie and follow the signs to the Eskrigg Nature Reserve. The red squirrels will be there to escort you and the birds will be singing their welcome chorus.

Photo © Paula Gilfillan. All Rights Reserved.