Written by Gordon Smith Last week I popped into Ninewells Hospital in Dundee to visit my cousin who’d had her appendix whipped out. Successfully :) Ninewells is a place I came to know quite well around 18 months ago when my wife, Janet, was undergoing investigations and treatment associated with a brain tumour. Sadly, despite the best efforts of all concerned, the tumour won and Janet lost a brave and dignified battle in May 2024. It’s still not an easy place for me to visit

Written by Gordon Smith I’m a member of my local church in Arbroath. We have a newish Minister in our ministry team and she, Judith, asked for volunteers to write a short passage summarising, or reflecting on, one of a number of passages from the bible. The collection will be formatted to become an advent calendar of readings and reflections from individuals. Several weeks ago, I picked Matthew 1, 1-17, The Ancestors of Jesus Christ, not knowing that a few weeks later the su

Written by Helen Parker As all the dog owners among us will appreciate, when you’re out and about with your pooch, you get to know a...

Written by Marion Gilloolly It’s easy to feel despondent about humanity in these days where we are witnessing horrific suffering, famine,...

Written by Gordon Smith Just short of four years ago, in November 2021, a mature Oak tree in the grounds adjoining our house came down as...

On 11 April 2025, in the most glorious setting on Loch Tay, we celebrated our graduation from the first Rites & Rituals Scotland...

Written by Gordon Smith A lot has happened in the week since our wonderful and moving graduation ceremony. A lot has happened in the four...

Written by Fiona Winchester - Rites and Rituals Scotland Ceremonialist It’s an image that is incredibly spiritual and one that I will use...

Written by Marion Gillooly With most things in life, practice makes perfect, and becoming a Rites and Rituals Scotland Ceremonialist is...

By Helen Parker  I am writing this just a few days after our 3rd weekend at Rites and Rituals Celebrant Training.  I cannot believe that...

By Fiona Winchester Weekend 3 of Rites and Rituals training was a big one. We were each to deliver our marriage ceremonies, to show that...

By Gordon Smith   This weekend was the third, and penultimate, weekend of the Rites and Rituals Scotland, Ceremonialist training...

By Helen Parker Sacred Relationships….  Well, that was the theme of our 2nd weekend together of Rites and Rituals Ceremonialists...

By Fiona Winchester Arriving by the banks of Loch Tay for our second Rites and Rituals training weekend, I have just returned hours...

Living a  spiritual  life rather than a  religious  one means seeking a personal, intuitive connection to something bigger than yourself,...

Written by Gordon Smith   I love a double entendre, but where’s the smut in the simple title, “The Big Shed”? Spoiler alert. There isn’t...

Letting Go by Marion Gillooly   I’m not ready to let go. Not yet. As I write this blog, I’m settling down to begin my week after another...

Last week, the Princess of Wales shared the heartwarming news that her cancer is in remission. She also spoke about how tough it can be...

R&R official training is full steam ahead! And we’re off! Our first weekend of collaboration, Celebrant Training and self-development and...