Author Archives: Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

About Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

I'm the Librarian for the Kinrowan Estate. I do love fresh brewed teas, curling, English mysteries and will often be playing Scandinavian or Celtic  music here in the Library here in Kinrowan Hall if the Neverending Session is elsewhere. I'm a violinist too, so you'll me playing in various contradance band such as Chasing Fireflies and Mouse in the Cupboard as well as backing my wife Catherine up on yearly Christmas season tours in the Nordic countries.

What’s New for the 12th of April: Some new and recent SF; new Americana, Norwegian folk rock and jazz; and thoughts on War For The Oaks

Posted on 12th April 2026 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

Dan played a keyboard line like a question that demanded an answer, and Willy punctuated it with a harsh chord. After two of those, Carla joined Willy with a distant growl of thunder on one of her toms. Hedge’s bass … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 29th of March: Beer and spirits, in song and text, some new Scandinavian fiddle music and jazz flute music, and more

Posted on 29th March 2026 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

There were two things Janey Little loved best in the world: music and books, and not necessarily in that order. Her favorite musician was the late Billy Pigg, the Northumbrian piper from the northeast of England whose playing had inspired … Continue reading →

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A Kinrowan Estate story: Mythologist John Campbell

Posted on 28th December 2025 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

I was watching a New Years Eve gig and it was clear to me how tribal it felt. Good communities are tribes. They have rituals and myths and those kinds of deeper realities that light up everyday reality and give … Continue reading →

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What’s New for 21st of December

Posted on 21st December 2025 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

There is one story and one story only That will prove worth your telling, Whether as learned bard or gifted child; To it all lines or lesser gauds belong That startle with their shining Such common stories as they stray … Continue reading →

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What’s New for 23 November

Posted on 23rd November 2025 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

Weather like this makes me want to write ‘Death’ on all the leaves. — Marianne C. Porter I can smell garlic, cumin, nutmeg, cardamom, and even a hint of ginger on the whole baby lamb being slowly cooked as I … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 12th of October

Posted on 12th October 2025 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

“I really didn’t mean to steal it.”  Mr. Williams shook his head. He scratched at his chin nervously. “Why not? That’s what they’re there for. Tunes belong to everybody. So do stories.” — Robert Holdstock’s Mythago Wood Finch ‘ere. I’m … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 28th of September: Appalachia in books, music and more

Posted on 28th September 2025 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

She hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but she was a bit like a cat herself, forever wandering in the woods, chasing after squirrels and rabbits as fast as her skinny legs could take her when the fancy struck, climbing trees … Continue reading →

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New SF from James S. A. Corey; Terry Gillian’s Excalibur; Rolling Stones do Aaron Copland’s ‘A Fanfare for The Common Man’; An offbeat history of coffee; an interview with Russian folk singer Zhenya Wind; and a grab bag of folk music

Posted on 31st August 2025 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

There’s always hope for something. Just not always… not always what we want.  James S. A. Corey’s The Mercy of Gods I smelled something quite enticing in the hallway out of our Kitchen. So I handed Pub duties over to Finch … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 17th of August: Lots of Cropredy reports and reviews, and some new jazz and Americana;

Posted on 17th August 2025 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

O I forbid you, maidens a’ That wear gowd in your hair, To gae by Carterhaugh, For young Tam Lin is there. Child Ballad 39A Ingrid, our Steward, declared earlier this week that today would be an Estate work free day as much … Continue reading →

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What’s New for the 3rd of August: A mix of Heinlein reviews; new jazz out of Vermont and a grab bag of archival reviews; Italian American food writing, and more

Posted on 3rd August 2025 by Iain Nicholas Mackenzie

If you see a faded sign at the side of the road that says “15 miles to the love shack” Love shack, yeah, yeah I’m headin’ down the Atlanta highway Lookin’ for the love getaway Heading for the love getaway … Continue reading →

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