View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Monday 14 November 2011

Monday 14 November

Another beautifully sunny day, not very warm though. That is in contrast to the south of the UK, which basked in temperatures of 18C / 64F yesterday. But I don't think I'm going to complain about our 10C / 50F.

Monday appears to be a good day for shopping, if you don't like thronged shops or supermarkets. The Post Office was practically empty when I called in there for stamps, and Tesco was not too bad. Particulary useful as I was pushing someone round in a wheelchair. On that note, when are the pavements in this town going to be levelled? Answer, they will not be.

I just discovered another interesting historical document, pertaining to the provision (or lack thereof) of medical services in the Highlands and Islands. I have often blogged about the Napier Report, but the Dewar Report is far less well known. It was published in 1912 to highlight the poor conditions in which people lived in these parts, with the Island of Lewis being singled out for particularly atrocious circumstances. It is a 43 page document (makes a change from the bulk of 4000+ pages in the Napier Report), and I intend to summarise on my Pentland Road blog this week. Local museums in the Highlands and Islands are encouraged to highlight the centenary of the Dewar Report next year.

Tomorrow is a minorly special day in my calendar: it will be 7 years ago since I came to Lewis.