Quick Facts
Biography
Robert Ogilvie Crombie (1899-1975), also known as “ROC”, was a Scottish scientist and writer born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1899 and lived there for most of his life.
Second career
Crombie abandoned his career as a scientist due to ill health, and moved from his town house in the city of Edinburgh to the country near Perth, Scotland, to be able to have closer contact with nature. This later developed into a communication with the inner spirit of the nature kingdom.
His account of some of these experiences are published in a chapter of The Findhorn Garden, a book about the early history of the Findhorn Foundation in the north east of Scotland. Crombie's verbal account of his encounters with nature spirits, accompanied by photographic slides of nature was part of the educational programme at Findhorn for many years. He was cited by his friend, the Findhorn co-founder Peter Caddy as a major influence. Crombie died in 1975.
Writing
In addition to his narration for The Findhorn Garden,Crombie also authored the novel The Gentleman and the Faun.
Crombie and his work was mentioned in the film My Dinner with Andre.
Publications
- "ROC": chapter in the book "The Findhorn Garden" (1975)
- "Meeting Fairies: My Remarkable Encounters with Nature Spirits" (2009)
- "The Gentleman and the Faun" (2009)
- "The Occult Diaries of R. Ogilvie Crombie". 2011.