Saturday 26 March

It is supposed to be dry and bright, but never trust the weather in these islands. We promptly got a handful of light showers after midday. By mid evening, the mercury had plummeted to freezing - another unexpected quirk. Daytime high was 11C / 52F, which gives no reasons for complaint at this time of year.

I spent most of the day researching aspects of local history, more specifically the people who gave evidence to the Napier Commission in 1883. This report, several thousand pages long, has kept me occupied since last summer. However, in recent times I have acquired some new skills in accessing census data (thanks Peter), which has enabled me to paint the picture of (e.g.) the Reverend Alexander Davidson, who gave evidence to Lord Napier et al on 31 May 1883. He was the minister in the Free Church in Harris, more specifically in the Bays area (the eastern side of South Harris).

At the end of the day, all the clocks had to be put forward by an hour, as British Summer Time is once more upon us. Did you put your clocks forward?