Author Archives: Gus the Estate Head Gardener

About Gus the Estate Head Gardener

I'm the person responsible for both the grounds and the livestock which are raised here. I live with Bree (my wife) in one of the cottages that has been here for centuries. I actually enjoy Winters here as my work load is considerably reduced as I let the younger staff members handle the needed work which leaves me time for reading, ice skating and skiing, not to mention just being with my wife. Bliss!

A Kinrowan Estate story: Bonfires

Posted on 3rd January 2021 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

Nothing warms my heart and body as much as a bonfire does. Oh I know that I could be inside with my wife Bree enjoying the warmth of the fireplaces in our Cottage , but I love, particularly as Autumn gives way to Winter, … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Designing Trolls

Posted on 22nd November 2020 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

Dear Anna, Imagine an old forest witch, a crone with a cackle and gnarled hands. Well Justina did one of those when she was here the first time. Alas the Troll proved more elusive in design. Much more elusive. And … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: All Hallows’ Eve

Posted on 25th October 2020 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

Gus, here. All Hallow’s Eve is less than a week away, and the Staff is deep in preparations. Mind you, a lot of those are just fun and games: putting up decorations and scurrying around with secret costume plans. Some of … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Gingerbread

Posted on 3rd September 2020 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

I hope you’re enjoying the still-hot-from-the-oven gingerbread with a scoop of Madagascar vanilla ice cream on it. Bet you another piece that you don’t know the history of this culinary treat, do you? Thought so. So do take another piece … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: The Wood Between The Worlds

Posted on 2nd August 2020 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

Gutmansdottir, our resident expert on The Wild Wood that forms an impossibly large region of this Scottish Estate, has a new theory on what is and why it contains literally multitudes of very queer things from Herne the God of … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Rebekah And the matter of Jewish baked goodies

Posted on 28th June 2020 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

If we’ve left the impression in these posts about the Kinrowan Estate that the Several Annies, the Library Apprentices here, are the ones that are the learners and we who teach them are just the teachers, then we’ve given you … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Skating and Other Pleasures

Posted on 12th January 2020 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

One of the great pleasures of winter at this Scottish estate is ice skating and other ice-related activities. That’s all done on the Mill Pond, made possible by the restoration of the mill dam for generating low head hydro power … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Elven Contradance Band

Posted on 11th September 2019 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

It was one of the oddest contradance bands I had the privilege to call for, as it was comprised solely of musicians from across the Border. Now the Elves tell us next to nothing about their culture, so what we … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: An Estate Ramble

Posted on 25th August 2019 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

It’s early one morning, barely past dawn, when I head down to the Kitchen for an early breakfast of tea and a buttermilk biscuit (as the Americans called them) with cheddar cheese and ham in it. After that, I pack … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Hedge Witches (A Letter to Anna)

Posted on 14th July 2019 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

Dear Anna, As you well know, I, unlike you, was schooled in the university of the land. I don’t regret it but it was a very good thing that I apprenticed to Macpherson, the Head Gardener before me, as the … Continue reading →

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