R. Ogilvie Crombie (ROC) (1899-1975) was a Scottish scientist, writer and mystic best known for his profound and unconventional experiences with nature spirits, or Elementals. Born in 1899 in Edinburgh, Crombie had a background in science and pursued studies in physics and chemistry before health issues pushed him toward a more contemplative and reclusive life.

It was during his later years that Crombie began to report vivid encounters with Elemental beings — fairies, fauns, dryads, and other spirits traditionally associated with nature. These experiences often occurred during solitary walks in gardens and woodlands around Scotland, particularly in the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. Crombie described these beings as real, intelligent, and deeply connected to the natural world.

Perhaps the most famous of these accounts, included in this video, involved a faun-like entity named Pan, whom Crombie claimed to have met and communicated with. Pan shared insights about the spiritual dimensions of nature and the importance of harmony between humanity and the elemental realm. Crombie’s detailed recollections of these encounters were rich in symbolism and carried messages of ecological awareness and spiritual renewal.

ROC’s stories reached a wider audience through his association with the former Findhorn Foundation Community (now Ecovillage Findhorn Community). Crombie became a guiding presence for the Community in the 1960s and 70s, where his experiences with Elementals helped shape the Community’s deep connection with nature spirits and cooperative gardening practices.

ROC’s life and work remain influential in the world of spiritual ecology, and his writings — particularly those recorded by others at Findhorn — continue to inspire those who appreciate the hidden intelligences of the natural world.

Crombie described many of his experiences in audio-visual presentations like this, which is one of his earliest and dates back to the early 1970s. It was refreshed by Community archivist Keith Armstrong in 2012. The slide-based audio-visual medium is relatively tricky to convert to modern digital media, but we will publish additional presentations if they can be located and this becomes practical.

R Ogilvie Crombie (ROC): Man’s Relationship with the Nature Kingdoms – The Elementals

Photo of ROC by Gordon Lindsay