Viola Stirling’s nature diary: 15 Nov 1919
When reading Viola’s latest entry, it is useful to remind ourselves that she is only twelve years of age. She writes about witnessing shooting of hares, although it is unknown […]
Author: Stirling Archives
Ashfield Mill & the British Silk Dyeing Company
In 1862 when Perthshire was surveyed for the Ordance Survey maps, Ashfield was then known as Millash and consisted of just a handful of buildings, including a small mill. The […]
Viola Stirling’s Nature Diary: November 13th 1919
In this short diary entry, Viola describes seeing a large flock of pigeons “800 or 900 birds”. These are most likely to be Wood Pigeons, commonly found in Scotland. But […]
Viola Stirling’s Nature Diary: 7-9 Nov 1919
As we continue with Viola’s diary, you may have noticed that one of her traits is to name landmarks based on the animals she encounters there. In the previous entry […]
Viola Stirling’s Nature Diary: 6 Nov 1919
Viola starts her entry with another sighting of a white pheasant, although this time with some brown feathers breaking up the white. Viola is in Wasp Nest Field and this […]
Viola Stirling’s Nature Diary: 5th November 1919
Viola is visiting her neighbours at Touch House in the morning and sees a white pheasant. This is likely to be a Leucistic bird rather than a case of albinism, […]
Viola Stirling’s Nature Diary – 30 Oct 1919
How often have you seen a mole? Have you ever seen a mole? Moles are one of nature’s most elusive mammals. In Viola’s next diary entry, however, she almost catches […]
Viola Stirling’s Nature Diary: 16 Oct 1919
Viola’s next entry was written on a Thursday lunchtime, presumably during school holidays. She is leaning over the bank of ‘Kingfisher Pool’ watching the fish when a kingfisher pays a […]
Viola Stirling’s Nature Diary: 21st September 1919
This entry for 21st September finds Viola at North Third Reservoir. She sees a grey heron. Then hares that are changing colour for the winter season. Mountain hares gradually turn […]
Viola Stirling’s Nature Diary: 16 Sep 1919
A very short entry in Viola’s journal sees her observe a Kestrel at Sauchie Reservoir. There isn’t an official ‘Sauchie Reservoir’ so it is hard to pinpoint exactly where she […]