FORGET Balboa and Bond. For me, the greatest hero of all literature and film is the diminutive Bilbo Baggins.
By summoning cast iron courage and animal-like cunning, the otherwise hairy-toed hawfling sure-foots his way to glory, conquering the fire-breathing dragon, Smaug.
I remember, as a kid, becoming engrossed in Tolkien's classic - long before Hollywood had cottoned on to its yarn-ripping credentials.
As I've grown older, the same tale has taken on new meaning. My appetite for bedtime reading has gone undiminished, and from those times spent in Mount Doom, my literary voyage has now taken me to the foothills of the humanities.
What I've learned thus far is simple. In the vast tapestry of human existence, the interplay between chaos and order is a theme that has long-captivated minds.
Denne historien er fra June 2024-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
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Denne historien er fra June 2024-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Unst To Orbit
Shetland's spaceport is set to take Europe by storm, launching rockets to the stratosphere
Just Passing Through
A tale of the unexpected unfolds at dawn in a Stirlingshire glen as a rare, shy creature slips out of the shadows
Brigadoon Revisited
An affectionate look back at the low budget \"synthetic Scotch\" movie that still sparkles in the mist, 70 years on
A Brand New Opening
The Scots Magazine revisits the Old Course in St Andrews almost 70 years on and celebrates recent progress in welcoming women
Kenmore's Crossroads
Fury over a luxury redevelopment at the Perthshire village made news headlines around the world but is the tide of popular opinion turning?
Seeing Double!
Sam Heughan's Outlander body double, lain Wilkie, shares stories about his experiences on and off screen
The Story & The Song
With a soundtrack to a Shetland tale, author and musician Malachy Tallack blends his artistic passions in his latest venture
A Rebirth From The Earth
Erland Cooper's intriguing project has given nature and two determined fans a hand in shaping and bringing his new album to light
Nip Of Champions
Whisky has long been associated with moments of triumph, including a recent example of clever sporting motivation
The Waterside Hotel
A spectacular spot on the stunning Ayrshire coast