About Sheila

I am a photographer, writer and Russian-to-English translator, based in Dunbar on the east coast of Scotland.

My photography, writing and translation specialisms are aligned with my passions: arts and culture, gardens and horticulture, food and travel. You can see some of my recent work here.

The Russian language has been one of the great joys of my life. Until the shocking invasion of Ukraine I had been visiting Russia for more than thirty years, starting with a student scholarship in the 1980s. It’s hard now to imagine ever going back.

I spend as much time as possible in Portugal, which features prominently in my photography. I am fortunate enough to have a small holiday house in the Serra da Lousã, which provides a base for exploring some of the lesser known parts of this beautiful country.

I also work a few hours a week for my local Museums Service. On Friday afternoons you'll usually find me in the Birthplace-Museum of John Muir, the pioneer conservationist. He was born in Dunbar in Scotland, where I live, but emigrated to America where he went on to become known as 'the father of the national parks'. Muir loved the natural wilderness and was a keen botanist, which has particular resonance for me. (You can find out more about John Muir, and the museum, here.)