View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Thursday 18 February 2016

Mission statement

Originally drafted: April 2005, revised February 2016

I was amazed at the colours at sunset these past days. And at sunrise as well. Normally, I expect light to start to fail 25 minutes after sunset, but at this latitude this is extended to 40 minutes. I am not a native of the islands, but one of the reasons I have come here is the natural beauty. Whether it is in the images shown on Flickr, at a time of good weather - or in bad.

Being caught up in a thunder, hail, snow, sleet (and kitchensink) shower back in January 2005, whilst going down the Lochs Road at Leurbost, with the bus driver being forced to reduce speed to a crawl. No snow or ice at the next village, Keose.

The many rainbows in the spring, going down the Lochs road.

The joy at seeing the first green shoots, in April, out at Keose.

Hearing the first bleating of lambs in a pasture at Breascleit late in March. Walking the island in the bitter winds of February, and seeing the sad remains of the sheep that did not make it through the winter. Or the sheep that was knocked down at the Marybank cattlegrid in April '05, and was slowly decomposing in peace in the ditch that it was dumped in over a period of 6 months.

Seeing the days lengthen to an incredible extent, sunset at 22.30, with the light lingering to the nadir of the night at 01.30, then returning fully at 03.30. But also shortening of the days, with the daylight hours of 09.15 to 15.35 at Christmas.

The howling of the gales. Clattering of hail and thumping of the wind against the window at night - waking up in the middle of the night because there is no noise.

Watching the breathtaking coastal scenery at Filiscleitir, or the stunning mountain scenery from Rapaire, Teileasbhal, Mullach an Langa. Or beautiful Glen Langadale, where I'm forever fording that river under the frown of Stulabhal. The little mouse on the slopes of that mountain, the one that allowed me to stroke it.

The yellow grasses on the moors of South Lochs, finding your way in amongst a myriad of lochs, streams and bogs. Loch nan Eilean, south of Garyvard.

Place seems to have gotten under my skin.

Wednesday 17 February

P2179672 P2179675 P2179677 P2179682

Tuesday 16 February

P2169662 P2169664 P2169666 P2169669

Monday 15 February

P2159649 P2159651 P2159653 P2159654 P2159659 P2159660 P2159661

Sunday 14 February

P2149618 P2149621 P2149626 P2149627 P2149628 P2149631 P2149638 P2149639

Saturday 13 February

P2139599 P2139602 P2139605 P2139607 P2139614

Friday 12 February

P2129583 P2129586 P2129587 P2129589 P2129593 P2129595

Thursday 11 February

P2119571 P2119576 P2119577 P2119581

Wednesday 10 February

P2109553 P2109557 P2109559 P2109561 P2109566 P2109567 

Tuesday 9 February

P2099547 P2099548 P2099551 P2099552