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
Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:32:40 +0000
Following on from my recent purchase of a Mini Chopper, I'm re-working some classic rice or potato dishes to use keto-friendly cauliflower instead.
First up is a Keto Friendly Jambalaya.
https://fitheach.scot/pages/recipes/keto-jambalaya.html
#food #recipes #Cajun #Creole #keto
Tue, 09 Sep 2025 12:31:37 +0000
I recently purchased a USB-powered LED wall clock. I was initially pleased with my purchase. However, after three days of use the clock started displaying corrupted digits. I assumed the clock was poorly made.
On a whim, I decided to change the 240v-USB adapter that I was using to power the clock. The clock has now been functioning correctly for 3 weeks. My suspicion is that not all USB adapters are of the same quality. Cheap adapters are OK for charging 'phones, not for consistent power.
Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:37:53 +0000
Matrix is down, and has been for about a day. 
Status page states the problem is with the database on the Matrix homeserver:
Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:19:07 +0000
In praise of my Mini Chopper. 😃
Since becoming #keto (8+ years) cauliflower rice has become my staple replacement for rice and potatoes.
Previously, I would chop the cauliflower using a large kitchen knife. I was recently tempted into purchasing a Mini Chopper™ from the centre aisle at Aldi. It only cost £10. It has been a revelation. It chops faster and more consistently than by hand, even when a large cauliflower fills the bowl 4x.
To-night's "rice" will have garlic & syboes added.
Mon, 01 Sep 2025 11:44:18 +0000
I'm a Highlander, get me out of here.
Some observations on a recent trip to the Central Belt.
Please don't be offended if you live in a city, particularly Glasgow. It is just my opinion on travelling through some parts of a (the) city.
https://fitheach.scot/life/im-a-highlander
Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:48:12 +0000
I'm going to a performance of Parsifal.
However, I was really in two minds as to whether I should go to the performance at all.
Parsifal is a wonderful piece of music, it will be performed by one of my favourite orchestras (The Mahler Players), and it is in one of my favourite venues (Strathpeffer Pavillion).
So, what's the problem?
The problem is the composer, Wagner, was a misogynist, an anti-Semite, and a supporter Aryan ideology. Wagner may even have partly enabled the rise of the Nazis.