a folk-rock laird, a lavender farm and a literary legend
a newsletter from Scotland for the creative and curious wanderer
from US folk-revival musician to Highland Laird
He played alongside some of the greats of the 1960s folk rock scene, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, David Bowie, The Byrds and Fairport Convention, whilst also releasing several solo albums in the 1970s. He was a singer, songwriter and musician whose heart belonged to Scotland. Marc Ellington chose to follow his heart.
Marc Ellington was born in Boston Massachusetts in 1945, his Scottish-born father was a local radio broadcaster and pioneer of audio books for the blind. Marc began his music career as a member of The Highwaymen in 1960s Oregon.
In 1967, Marc and younger brother Eric moved to the UK to avoid being drafted to war in Vietnam. Marc and his girlfriend, Karen Streator, ran an antiques business back in the USA. They took a flight from Oregon to Glasgow Prestwick and got married in London. Marc was the first American to publicly refuse the Vietnam draft in the UK. When his visa expired he presented himself at St Paul's Cathedral asking for sanctuary as a symbolic gesture. He was later granted British citizenship in 1979.
Marc made a few albums whilst in London and made a name for himself in the folk-revival music scene. By 1969 Marc and Karen were scouring Scotland looking to buy a traditional property. They came across Towie Barclay Castle, near Turriff in Aberdeenshire - a half-ruined 16th Century tower house that hadn't been lived in for 200 years. They bought it for just a few thousand pounds and changed the course of their lives. The couple went to great lengths to renovate the castle, living on site in a caravan. It became a painstaking four year renovation project.
They faithfully stuck to traditional techniques in keeping with its history, entirely funded by Marc's music catalogue and gigs around the folk clubs of Scotland. The work earned them a Saltire Society Award in 1973. Through her meticulous project management and reconstruction of the castle's gardens, Karen became an award-winning creative horticulturist and garden designer.
Marc and Karen realised that traditional craftsman skills were being rapidly lost in Scotland and set up the Scottish Traditional Skills Training Centre to encourage skills in building restoration such as lime-mortar work, stonemasonry, roofing, drystane-dyking, hedge making and path maintenance. Marc's passion for conservation led him to become an influential figure in the protection of Scotland's built heritage.
Marc and Karen filled the house with artworks and antiques. It became their family home, with their two daughters Iona and Kirstie, until his death in 2021. You can see a video of the castle interior at the video below, presented by Karen Ellington:
By all accounts Marc was a thoughtful, charitable, rebellious and playful character and used his popularity and position for the good of the community and Scottish heritage. At first the landowning establishment wasn't too keen on his hippy values but he soon won them over.
He joined the boards of various cultural and historic institutions in Scotland and was instrumental in helping bring forgotten historical hidden gems back to life. He was also an environmental and wildlife campaigner, giving numerous talks on the important role art plays in education and culture. He loved the sea and owned a traditionally-built boat named De Tollie that he sailed along the coastline of Aberdeenshire. Marc also had a folk music show on 1970s Grampian TV (ITV network) called Marc Time.
Karen sold Towie Barclay Castle in 2023 and auctioned some of their fascinating antiques. View them at https://www.lyonandturnbull.com/stories/select-property-from-towie-barclay-castle
Towie Barclay remains a private home but public records hint that new owners are hotel investors - so it could well become available as a holiday or exclusive use let.
Alongside ownership of the castle, the couple also acquired lairdship of the old fishing villages of Gardenstown and Crovie in the Moray Firth as part of this estate, as well as the Tomnaverie stone circle.
But what of Marc's brother Eric. He too made Scotland his home in Crovie (pronounced “crivvy”). This old fishing village is in a traffic free bay, nestled at the foot of a cliff on the Moray Firth coast. The village was created after the Highland Clearances of the late 18th Century moved crofters off the land to make way for sheep. It’s now one of the best preserved fishing villages in Europe and great for a restful stay on a rugged coastline.
Eric Ellington carved a creative niche as a talented professional photographer of landscapes and interiors. He remained in Crovie with his wife, Elaine. Sadly Eric died from a stroke in 2010. You can still get your eyes on some of his photography in books: Eigg, Living in the Highlands and The Lost City, Old Aberdeen. Eric was a regular contributor to Scottish Field and The Scots magazines. Their son Jamie was brought up in Crovie. Jamie is currently living in New York finding great success as a professional photographer.
Their house in Crovie is available as a holiday cottage. It's a popular accommodation whose guests return time and again. And yes, you might come across a photo or two and find some creative inspiration in this characterful cottage.
Got any questions about planning a trip to Crovie? Stick them in the comments below and I’ll answer.
visit a lavender field in Scotland this summer
Tarhill Farm, Kinross KY13 9EZ
open July and August
Did you know that you can get home grown lavender oil here in Scotland? There's a lavender farm just outside Kinross growing seven different varieties of lavender where you can visit daily during the summer - July and August only. Learn about the hand-distilling process, dance through the lavender field and pick up their lavender oils and perfumes while you're there. Booking opened on 28th June, a ticket includes a pass for the whole day and an option to join the hourly farm tours.
No car? You can get there by Stagecoach X56 bus from Edinburgh and the walk is 30mins to an hour, taking in some of the Loch Leven Heritage Trail.
take the Macbeth Tour by e-bike
32 St John Street, Perth, Perth and Kinross PH1 5SP
The Macbeth e-bike tour with Dutch style bikes. So, no special gear needed and sitting upright to enjoy the scenery. Complementing the current Macbeth exhibition at Perth Museum, launched in 2024. The Macbeth Tour, offered by Highland Bike Tours departs from Perth is inspired by Shakespeare's Macbeth Act IV and includes stops at Birnam Wood and Dunsinane Hill - the location of Macbeth’s castle in the classic tragedy.
You'll be taking in the quiet country roads with a local guide and a half hour hike hike up to top of Dunsinane Hill with a lunch stop at Birnam Arts Centre. As expected, there is also a visit to the Birnam Oak, which is around 600 years old. Shakespeare himself may have even visited this tree.
Did you know that William Shakespeare visited Perth and Birnam in either 1589 or 1599, accounts are not clear on exact dates. He was travelling to Scotland as part of a touring comedic theatre troupe. Macbeth was king of Scotland from 1040 until 1057
Shakespeare's 'The Tragedie of Macbeth' was first published in 1623, when the witchcraft trials of Scotland were in full swing, and, as we know, witches feature significantly in the narrative of the play as a fictional element without connections to the real King Macbeth.
This is a tour for small groups (max 4) and approx. 78km/50mile loop tour. They can also do tours in Dutch language.
‘Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him...’ Shakespeare, Macbeth; Act IV
special anniversary walks in Glasgow
Glasgow Walking Tours
July - October 2025
Celebrating the 850th birthday of Glasgow, Walking Tours in Glasgow is offering a different theme every month until October. July's theme is Sauchiehall Street which is a treasure trove of art, architecture and history - great for visitors and residents alike. They also offer street art tours of the famous Glasgow murals.
That’s all for this week. If you enjoyed, please like, share and subscribe.
From Scotland, with love x