Explore the bewitching appeal of the wild with The Cottage Argyll

Exploring our connections with Scotland Summer 2021

Visit: www.thecottageargyll.co.uk

OUR STORY

with Robbie Baird of The Cottage Argyll

"Never more than before have we yearned to retreat, reconnect and re-experience our wild places of the world. Protected, far from the madding crowd, back into the heart of the land that holds us. To be lost, if just for a while, in the green spaces, warm, in dappled sunlight under the boughs of tall Scots pines or with our feet in the water soaking up the tidal energy, feeling the breeze on our face, new-found passions, reignited by the creation of sanctuary. I am a lucky one… At 16 years of age my family and I made the move from Hampshire to the rural west coast of Scotland. It has been home away from home for all my life, regularly holidaying in our tumble-down wee cottage and the edge of the wood. I live in my own wee cottage in Tighnabruaich close to the shores of the outstanding beauty that is the Kyles of Bute. As lock-down struck, many of us found that we had more time on our hands. As the feelings of dread subsided or settled, many of us found our creative energy reignited. I took time to read, learn, paint, and create. In the quiet time I was able to remember ideas that had simmered away in the background.

I have always been fascinated by folk magic practices and witchcraft. There is magic here. The land is ancient, filled with memory and stories if you can be still and listen, ancestral voices fill the air, calling us back to mystical times, old ways with an innate and intrinsic connection to our natural world. It was the most natural thing to be attuned with the seasons and recognise nature's bountiful power! Scotland’s energies are awesome, plentiful and in these wild parts – so full of power! Those of you who have been lucky enough to venture of the beaten track in Scotland’s wild places will have, no doubt, come across the foundations of old cottages and crofts, left behind long ago but still present enough to spark the imagination. Who doesn’t want to retreat to a Cottage in the Scottish wilderness? Some people want palaces, but I am a firm believer that The Cottage, in the physical realm exists as a sanctuary, much loved places to call home, with cherished ones around and open fire, close to the elements, living with the land. We dream they were inhabited often by wise folk, green fingered, sustaining a picturesque lifestyle.

As I was able to develop my own spiritual practice, so the idea of The Cottage Argyll began to manifest. It conjures the idea of a magical space in a wild place, open armed and a place to build community. To reinterpret the archetype of the village ‘witch’ in a contemporary space. Various names are offered to the cunning folk of Scotland’s past. I wanted this business to be informed by my own spiritual practice, how I encourage more magic into my life, the importance of ritual and the ability to observe the natural world and cycles. There is a defined difference between the practice of Folk Magic, of that which is distinctly native to Scotland, and contemporary Witchcraft, ceremonial and often religion based. For me, it was finding the sweet spot between these. Acknowledging heritage, being exposed to contemporary ideas and the practical integration of Magic into my life. The Cottage Argyll believes in the power of magic, manifestation, and ritual. We recognise that there is 'a little witch in all of us' and encourage everyone to embrace their power, raise their vibration, live in tune with nature and find magic in wild places. In recent years there has been a resurgence in the recognised importance of spiritual practice and a wider acknowledgment of its benefits. With information, readily to hand, people are able to learn and discover how their lives can be enhanced by encouraging, casual or formal ritual. The simple act of lighting a candle, creating sacred space was where it all began. Illumination by candlelight is magical in itself but I use candles, as do most practicing witches, in all my rituals. We began by developing a range of candles which aid the process of creating MAGICAL space. Beyond this I wanted to make daily ritual and practice accessible with a contemporary edge. a range of products and tools that sit comfortably in a modern aesthetic, a reflection of my own lifestyle. The catalogue began to expand as I considered how best to share the knowledge that I have gathered so far. As compliment to the candle collection, we launched spell pouches, candle magic kits and our incredibly popular Wee Cottage Kit which enables you to create a small ritual attuned to the purpose you need most at that time. We are at the next phase of the journey now, which is to bring more enchanting makers onto the broom and develop and create a store that celebrates the immense talent of those makers that create and spread magic. Scotland provides us with the perfect base to build the brand and we hope that with every order we

are sending some of that potent Scottish power far and wide. There are two main things that I love about running this business. Spreading magic and building community. These were two of our key objectives when setting out and it has been so totally wonderful to see both aspects of the plan flourish. I have connected with so many incredibly amazing, talented people and the response to the shop and products still blows me away. The hope is that we continue to grow, both the strength of the store and our community, to connect with other practitioners. As summer approaches, we can all recognise a lift in the earth’s energy, nature thrives and showcases its power in the most incredible ways. We are able to re-engage with those green spaces we have yearned for. The days are longer, we are excitable and enthusiastic. Spirited and dynamic. Our power grows with the changing season. Embrace it, step into it, and acknowledge your own magic."

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