Alec Finlay
@alecfinlay.bsky.social
artist and poet; ecological remediation and human recuperation; landscape, tea, limit and creativity; lives by the sea in Edinburgh; mostly sharing a daily poem here.
The time of year to share 'Light is a Right' , a manifesto for (and by) people who experience SAD and a vulnerability to low winter light. I worked with Hayden Lorimer, Hester Parr, and Shawn Bodden to create a poster, book, and free digital book.
November 27, 2025 at 7:58 AM
The time of year to share 'Light is a Right' , a manifesto for (and by) people who experience SAD and a vulnerability to low winter light. I worked with Hayden Lorimer, Hester Parr, and Shawn Bodden to create a poster, book, and free digital book.
I'll never understand how a city with sunrises like this didn't vote for independence.
November 26, 2025 at 8:06 AM
I'll never understand how a city with sunrises like this didn't vote for independence.
free metaphor
is the bridge still there
in all this haar?
well, that train is sure
going somewhere
23.XI.25
is the bridge still there
in all this haar?
well, that train is sure
going somewhere
23.XI.25
November 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
free metaphor
is the bridge still there
in all this haar?
well, that train is sure
going somewhere
23.XI.25
is the bridge still there
in all this haar?
well, that train is sure
going somewhere
23.XI.25
if you know thorns
then you will
choose thorns
until you grow
through the thorns
into the light
then you will
choose thorns
until you grow
through the thorns
into the light
November 16, 2025 at 8:45 AM
if you know thorns
then you will
choose thorns
until you grow
through the thorns
into the light
then you will
choose thorns
until you grow
through the thorns
into the light
AN INSTRUMENT OF PLAY
FOR A STONY COUNTRY
riddle
FOR A STONY COUNTRY
riddle
November 14, 2025 at 7:33 AM
AN INSTRUMENT OF PLAY
FOR A STONY COUNTRY
riddle
FOR A STONY COUNTRY
riddle
River Arnisdale
the fussy ducks are an act–
comedic of course–
a constant chorus for
the river to giggle at
the fussy ducks are an act–
comedic of course–
a constant chorus for
the river to giggle at
November 13, 2025 at 7:43 AM
River Arnisdale
the fussy ducks are an act–
comedic of course–
a constant chorus for
the river to giggle at
the fussy ducks are an act–
comedic of course–
a constant chorus for
the river to giggle at
Eilean Tioram
the dry or waterless isle
the-isle-of-the-land
the isle which I will translate
myself onto next time
12.XI.25
the dry or waterless isle
the-isle-of-the-land
the isle which I will translate
myself onto next time
12.XI.25
November 12, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Eilean Tioram
the dry or waterless isle
the-isle-of-the-land
the isle which I will translate
myself onto next time
12.XI.25
the dry or waterless isle
the-isle-of-the-land
the isle which I will translate
myself onto next time
12.XI.25
'you don't have to / own a hut // to feel happy / about huts'
November 10, 2025 at 7:39 AM
'you don't have to / own a hut // to feel happy / about huts'
word-mntn (Creag nan Carrachan, lovage crag, from the end of the road, Ratagan)
November 7, 2025 at 7:51 AM
word-mntn (Creag nan Carrachan, lovage crag, from the end of the road, Ratagan)
time for the sea-
birds is the X
of sunrise, the Y
of sunset, & Z
of the tide
birds is the X
of sunrise, the Y
of sunset, & Z
of the tide
November 6, 2025 at 8:07 AM
time for the sea-
birds is the X
of sunrise, the Y
of sunset, & Z
of the tide
birds is the X
of sunrise, the Y
of sunset, & Z
of the tide
word-mntn (Beinn na Caillich, Hag's Ben, Knoydart).
November 5, 2025 at 7:35 AM
word-mntn (Beinn na Caillich, Hag's Ben, Knoydart).
Happening tomorrow, on creative disabled access.
November 4, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Happening tomorrow, on creative disabled access.
'just this once / the air is stiller / than the stones', a very still autumn evening at Temple Wood, Kilmartin
November 4, 2025 at 7:51 AM
'just this once / the air is stiller / than the stones', a very still autumn evening at Temple Wood, Kilmartin
As Boswell and Johnson progress through Glen Cluanie and Glen Shiel Boswell spots a mountain he says is shaped 'like a cone', and Johnson, being in a bad mood from the long ride, disagrees. But there it is, still visible to this day.
November 3, 2025 at 8:54 AM
As Boswell and Johnson progress through Glen Cluanie and Glen Shiel Boswell spots a mountain he says is shaped 'like a cone', and Johnson, being in a bad mood from the long ride, disagrees. But there it is, still visible to this day.
word-mntn (Sgurr an Airgid, Silver Pike)
November 2, 2025 at 11:45 AM
word-mntn (Sgurr an Airgid, Silver Pike)
two versions of Eigg
October 30, 2025 at 7:35 AM
two versions of Eigg
word-mntn (Druim Fada, the long ridge)
October 29, 2025 at 7:43 AM
word-mntn (Druim Fada, the long ridge)
A new poem on allyship in Poetry Scotland. Thanks to the editors.
October 28, 2025 at 8:33 AM
A new poem on allyship in Poetry Scotland. Thanks to the editors.