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Here in Morvern on the Ardtornish Estate you can find some of Scotland’s beautiful remnant oakwoods. These are now known as Atlantic Temperate Rainforests, and are among the best remaining stands along the western seaboard. On my journey’s to and from Lochaline, I have passed by these oakwoods, making a mental note to find a moment to visit. Two days ago was that moment. Midsummer’s morning sunshine called me outwards towards the old oaks.
I jumped in the camper and headed out. Of course, with camera in hand and a vehicle to drive, it was not a surprise that I pulled off the road before getting to my final destination. A stunning meadow full of wild flowers and a single beautiful oak, set against the backdrop of the hills beyond, had caught my eye.
Back in the van and heading for the oakwoods now, I began to ponder some of the many stories I have encountered of the oak. The Irish Ogham1 word for oak is duir, which shares its root with the old Irish word for door. It is perhaps no surprise then that the ancient druids engaged in ceremony in large oak groves. Doorways to the other side perhaps? The word "druid" derives from the Latin druis (pl.druidae), which was borrowed from the Gaulish word *druwits. Linguists break this Proto-Celtic word down into two parts.
Dru, which stems from the Proto-Indo-European root *dóru, and means "tree" or "oak".
Wid, which comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *weyd-, meaning "to know" or "to see"
Together they may translate to ‘Oak Knower’ or ‘The Knower of Trees’ or ‘Strong Seer.’
The oak is anthropogenic because it is at the root of many creation stories from ancient traditions. The oak is also often seen as the tree of life. It is also closely related to the image of the tree as a regenerating element. The oak tree's acorns have inspired many wisdom teachings and even psychology. James Hillman, who founded the archetypal psychology movement of the 1970s, put forth The Acorn Theory2 as part of what he saw as the Soul's Code. He believed that every person contained within them the potential to become a unique, fully evolved human being, just as an acorn has within itself the potential to become a mighty oak tree.3
Throughout the major cultures of Europe people have held the oak tree in high esteem. To the Greeks, Romans, Celts, Slavs and Teutonic tribes the oak was foremost amongst venerated trees. In each case associated with the supreme god in their pantheon, oak being sacred to Zeus, Jupiter, Dagda, Perun and Thor, respectively. Each of these gods also had dominion over rain, thunder and lightning. It is no coincidence that oak trees are more prone to lightning strikes than many other trees. This is because of the tree’s high water content and the fact that they are frequently the tallest living things in the landscape.4
Carrying these stories of the oak, I turned off the road to park up and caught a glimpse of water as I crossed the road bridge pre turn. I parked and walked back to the road to look over the bridge and down into the waters of the river Aline. It was well worth it. As I was focusing on the water shadow rock combination, something fell into the still part of the river and created a wonderful ripple circle. I clicked the shutter and the ripple that had caught me was now met in the catching.
Once the ripples had wiggled their way out into the world I shot a couple more reflections. This is my favourite from those.
Now to the woods. I walked along the road a few hundred feet and then stepped across the boundary into the oakwoods. High summer has just peaked and the Oak King is now making way for the Holly King5. The woodlands are as green as green could be. I felt a deep sense of quiet as I stepped in. The light was gorgeous and I spent a good while just being with these magnificent oaks before sensing what I might shoot. Here is my selection for you to enjoy.
As I wandered with my camera in that present moment kind of trance that making photographs can often bring me to in the bosom of nature, I found myself meeting the river again a mile or so along the trail. The temperature cooled a little as I approached the water, swishing and slipping my way down a bracken filled slope with the tinkling melody of the river in flow bathing me in sound.
I sat by the edge. I looked. I listened.
And, of course, I saw the full spectrum of nature’s creative beauty. She was in a painterly mood.
I sat in contemplation with a warm heart, appreciating the silence for what it is and cannot always be.
Tomorrow I will be on the road again, heading for Strath Farrer and a week long gathering of Gaels exploring our culture, decolonisation, land connection, keening, music and of course the craic. From there i will return to Lochaline to collect Anne and we will head to the Southern end of Scotland for a wedding before continuing down across the border into England for my annual visit with a van full of drums to Stainsby Festival.6
This is a place close to my heart and I have worked there facilitating drum circles on both days of the weekend gathering since 1999. I am excited for Anne to meet my extended family there and for them to meet her. We will then come back up across the border for the remainder of Gala week in Morvern before going South again for Pagan Camp7 where we will manage the Wiston Lodge venue for the gathering.
Then Cornwall and a visit to my mam calls us followed by a visit to Anne’s mam in Sheffield and then, finally, back to Lochaline. As you can tell, we are going to be very very busy these next 6 weeks and so interaction here will be intermittent at best. Apologies for the posts I have not caught up on yet ( They are in a saved folder and will be visited).
Wishing you all the summertime of your heart’s desires. See you on the other side.
https://thecelticjourney.wordpress.com/2013/07/17/ogham/
https://www.personaltransformation.com/james_hillman.html
https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/trees/oak/oak-mythology-and-folklore/
https://irishmyths.com/2024/12/18/holly-king-oak-king/
https://stainsbyfestival.org/
Ah, glorious oaks! What a wonderful place🌳 Thank you for sharing your lovely photos, Paul. Sounds like you have plenty going on over the next few weeks. Have a blessed Summer🙏🙂
Paul, I always learn so much by reading your posts … this time about the oak. I recall in my early homeschooling days, a book called An Acorn in My Hand by Ethel Bouldin … out of print now and my copy long passed on to next gen homeschoolers.
Another connection of acorn to oak was that the day our daughter was born our 4 year old son picked up some acorns outside the hospital and we managed to get one to root, planted and grow as Missy’s Oak Tree.
As you can see this is all very dear to my heart and your photography is such that I feel like I am there myself. Thank you for sharing all this.
Finally, I want to wish you all travel mercies as you are on the road 🐝