A death in Scotland

Some musings inspired by an old word for the new world we find ourselves in after the Queen's death

Portrait by Anthony Oakshett

On Thursday afternoon, there was a solemn beauty about the land in eastern Scotland, where I live. The air was misty and cold as armistice day, the tall, dripping pines like stately sentries, or pall bearers. The rain was constant and soothing, the land deeply ready for rest after the long, long summer.

I was writing my new tr…