When the Rowan turns red.

Scot's myth suggests that, the earlier the berries of the rowan tree redden, the more severe the winter will be. Doesn't seem to bode well for the coming months. The rowans here are already very red.

There are however, many myths about the Rowan. One I find particularly interesting explains why you find them at the back door of many old houses in Scotland. The wood of the rowan is said to protect the owner from evil spirits and it was often the case that the tree was planted near the door to do just this.

We've got tons of berries just now and the birds usually have a field day with them. They make an awful mess of anything sitting under the tree but I don't mind. Besides I really can't think of a use for pounds and pounds of rowan jelly. More interested in the idea that you can use the bark to produce a black dye though!

(You may be asking why I blipped this today - well, the weather is miserable and feels quite autumnal, but mostly it's because I kept popping out the door to see what the water men were up to. Hopefully we'll be reconnected tonight. Sigh!).