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: A Hidden Dragon

Posted on 10th August 2025 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

The dragon was carved of a local stone in multiple pieces by a local firm after consultation with an artist who sketched out the dragon. It didn’t look like the Welsh national symbol but rather was more akin to a … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Our Cats

Posted on 1st June 2025 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

While our Kinrowan Hall is justly famous for the music that keeps the old place resonating nicely, we’re also home to a fair number of our feline friends. While some of the cats just come and go (not unlike the notoriously peripatetic … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: A Most Beguiling Cookbook

Posted on 20th April 2025 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

Dear Anna, I’m going to pitch a book for that culinary folklore seminar you’re teaching next Winter here for those visiting food writers, as I really think it’ll be a good addition to that endeavour. One of Several Annies, Iain’s … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 16th of February: Books by and about Bob Dylan, and music by Dylan and others; plus some new world music and jazz

Posted on 16th February 2025 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

Let us pause in life’s pleasures and count its many tears While we all sup sorrow with the poor. There’s a song that will linger forever in our ears, Oh, hard times, come again no more. “Hard Times,” Stephen Foster … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Fireplaces

Posted on 25th January 2025 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

Let’s discuss fireplaces. Or more precisely why there’s only scattered open fireplaces left in all  of Kinrowan Hall these days, one in the Library, the Library and in the Pub and in the senior staff residences (RHIP). Why this is … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Biscuits

Posted on 27th December 2024 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

No, not the biscuits we have here in Scotland and the rest of the British Isles which Americans call cookies of one sort or another, but rather what Americans do call a biscuit. There’s simply nothing better then the smell … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: A Pudding Contest

Posted on 8th September 2024 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

Her name was Bronwyn ap Tewdwr and she was our guest judge for the annual pudding contest. ‘A pudding contest?’ you ask. And I say, ‘Why not?’ Real pudding, like real ale, is a long way from the packaged puddings … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Kedgeree

Posted on 28th July 2024 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

I had an exemplary kedgeree for my breakfast this morning along with a lovely lapsang souchong tea. Now if you’re reading this in the States, you might be puzzled as to what I ate. And when you hear what it … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate Stoty: A Guest Lecturer

Posted on 14th July 2024 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

Several Annies, do pay attention now as there will be a quiz afterwards! Well, now. Mackenzie has asked me in as tonight’s guest lecturer. He likes to keep these seminars going through the summer months, you know, when otherwise the … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Foxes

Posted on 21st April 2024 by Gus the Estate Head Gardener

Though fox hunting by the gentry was common in Scotland for centuries, this Estate never allowed them to be hunted here, so the Estate foxes have thrived. Even when we had a Gameskeeper here, before we abolished that position and … Continue reading →

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