Fitheach

Ceud Mìle Fàilte

Thank you for dropping-by, I hope you enjoy your visit. The main content is to be found in the blog, where I discuss everything and anything, but, topics including: photography, nature, technology, food, movies, music, politics, and life in the Highlands of Scotland, make regular appearances.

I commonly write reviews of movies (or films, if you prefer). Some movie reviews are short, others will be discussed in more detail. The scope covered will be mainly mainstream English language movies from the 1930s until the present day.

About me

My name is Iain MacDonald and I live in the Highlands of Scotland (although I have lived elsewhere in the past). I use Fitheach as my online pseudonym, on this website, on Mastodon, and on Matrix. I am a big fan of Free & Open Source Software, which I use both professionally and at home.

Computing and technology tend to infuse themselves into my other interests, as once you learn some skills in one area it is convenient to use them to solve problems in other spheres.

When not tinkering with computers, I am likely to be found repairing things because living in the countryside you learn to be resourceful.

Of course, man doesn't live by SSH tunnels and kerosene vapour burners alone, so, food, as a subject, makes regular appearances, too.

My latest Life articles

My most recent ramblings can be found in the Life section.

My latest Mastodon posts

Mastodon is a microblogging app that is part of the decentralised web known as The Fediverse. See this article for more details.

Fitheach

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 12:52:11 +0000

<<<

Visibility was extremely poor on the road due to all the debris blowing about (mostly leaves and branches) and the road surface was also difficult to see for the same reason. Other than snow, this was the worst driving conditions I've experienced.

Luckily, little damage at home. Some large branches came down on the back gate, and a 3m rip in my polytunnel.

On the plus side, I had feasts on Monday and Tuesday nights, as I tried to eat all the contents of the 'fridge before it spoiled. 😃

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Thu, 09 Oct 2025 12:43:30 +0000

"What did you do during the great storm (Storm Amy) of 2025?"

I mostly sat around the kitchen table burning candles. I did the same for the same for the next four nights. Electrical power supply returned on Wednesday morning.

I did drive home late on Friday night. I've never experienced such "carnage" on roads before. On the short 7 mile drive home there were 2-dozen trees blown across the road. It was like driving a slalom course.

>>>

#Highlands #Scotland #StormAmy

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Thu, 02 Oct 2025 13:57:44 +0000

I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet. When held in the portrait orientation the upper volume button increases the sound. The lower button achieves the opposite. All very logical (same arrangement with mobile 'phones).

However, I use my tablet in landscape mode for 99% of the time (doesn't everyone?). Now the "left" volume button increases sound, and the "right" decreases. This is the opposite of what I expect, & I often get it wrong.

Not crucial for audio, another matter when re-flashing... 😃

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Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:15:12 +0000

The main ingredients of haggis aren't a secret. However, getting the right proportions of herbs and spices is more of a challenge. It is the flavourings that elevate a great haggis from the ordinary. As I'll be using cauliflower instead of oatmeal, I may need to adjust the flavourings to compensate.

I'm looking forward to the challenge. 😋

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Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:58:48 +0000

I recently made a Keto Stuffed Capsicum (recipe coming soon), with cauliflower instead of rice. In the process, it occurred to me that the filling could also be used for making a Keto Haggis. Haggis is one of the few non-keto foods that I miss eating. I'll definitely have a Keto Haggis recipe ready in time for Là Naomh Anndra (November 30th).

#food #keto #haggis #Scotland