It feels invigorating to honor old celebrations with primal concerns, such as the return of light and warmth.
Connections to each other and to ideas that are older than the internet are life-affirming and enlivening.
The event took place this past Saturdaya rare sunny day after a streak of rainy weather.
Photo:Alexander Baxter
All the while, three dogs ran underfoot.
The Residency program contributes hugely to the feel of the house.
People come and stay and leave behind their energy and art and beauty.
Boath House, built in 1827 by Archibald Simpson for Captain James Dunbar, is one of Scotland’s finest Greek Revival villas—and the perfect home for a pagan house party.
Much of what we ate was grown in the historic walled garden set on Boaths grounds.
There were savory egg custards, rabbit terrine with pickled carrots, and lobster and barley.
Roast chicken was served family style, and we ended the meal with Scotch pancakes and petit fours.
Hugo Macdonald with Oscar Peña and Ilse Crawford of Studioilse.
When she was finished, guests filled with wonder, and many refreshments, started peeling off to bed.
I joined the former.
Back at Boath, the group drifted into the dining room for a delicious breakfast.
A floral flourish on a sporran, made and modelled by David Halls-Evans.
Each place setting held the take-home gift of a ceramic egg cup crafted by Dunkeld ceramicist Cara Guthrie.
There is greater capacity to continue conversations than the urgency of a single meal.
For Gent, the event was a no-brainer.
James Stevens and Hugo Macdonald of Bard raise a toast to Ostara.
I adore their eye and quest for poetry which mirrors my obsession with romance, he says.
At midday, we packed up to head home.
As I carried my bag to the car, I did feel like something had lifted.
Hand-cut glass vessels by Juli Bolaños-Durman lined the tables.
It felt like reality had been temporarily suspended.
That answer lives at Boath House.
The dining room was decorated with abundant candles and Snakeshead Fritillaries for a dose of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Guests dressed for dinner with a “spring fling” theme.
Hand-cut glassware by Edinburgh-based glass artist Juli Bolaños-Durman added sparkle to the proceedings.
Juli Bolaños-Durman rustled up a Oaxacan cape for the occasion.
A hare appeared fleetingly by the bonfire.
Guests cast papers into the bonfire of woes to be left behind in winter, and wishes to be invited in with spring.
Juli Bolaños-Durman in her Oaxacan cape (recipient of a best-dressed award) wisely kept her distance from the bonfire.
Rabbit terrine with pickled carrots from the 16th-century walled garden at Boath.
Lobster, rye, and bonito leaves in bowls by ceramicist Cara Guthrie.
Renowned folklorist Eileen Budd mesmerises guests after dinner with her tales of Scottish lore and legend.
Walking across the dunes to the beach at Kingsteps.
The Moray Firth is a picturesque site for a dash, dunk, shriek, return.
Juli Bolaños-Durman placesSpirited Waste IIin the Library at Boath House.
Placements by Jonny Gent introduced colour and whimsy to the table.
