View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Tuesday 18 January

Quite a nice day, but not very warm. The sun set an hour ago, with some clouds over the horizon. It's been a calm and quiet day, as I process the results from my researches in the island croft histories. Tomorrow, I shall look at these books again, this time at the request of another researcher. I may also have to go out of town to check records that have not been published by an island genealogist, Bill Lawson. It is these books that I am currently using for reference, but the range, covering all of Lewis, is by no means complete.

Did I mention that fuel prices here in Stornoway are close to £1.50 a litre? That, for my American readers, equates to $9 per gallon. The fact that remote communities will not get a so-called fuel-derogation has led to an angry outburst by local MPs against the Treasury. Funnily enough, the UK government is going to introduce a minimum price for alcohol, a measure opposed by members of the Scottish Parliament in 2010. Oh well, just as well I don't drink much (alcohol), and that I don't own a car.