Mother Nature is throwing a tantrum here in the Hebrides this evening. A severe squall is passing over, with winds of 60 mph being reported in the north of the island. Thunder is heard here in Stornoway and 10 miles away in Lochs. The rainfall radar shows very bright echoes out west, meaning more is to come.
And what did I spy just before the rain started to lash down? The three-masted schooner Oosterschelde leaving port. I wish them a safe passage, but hope they made the right decision in setting forth with this weather heading our way.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Tuesday 28 July
A bright, sunny but windy day - haven't seen a force 5 for some time.
Up here in the Hebrides, there are concerns over a population decline in some of the more remote areas. The island of Scalpay, off Harris, has a population of about 200, but none of them are aged below 7. Following the closure of a fish processing factory there a few years ago, there are no prospects of new employment - and thereby new families arriving. A similar problem caused a terminal decline in population on St Kilda, which was evacuated 79 years ago, in August 1930. Read more here.
The dates have been announced for the switch-over to digital television in Scotland. The Western Isles will transition in July 2010.
Up here in the Hebrides, there are concerns over a population decline in some of the more remote areas. The island of Scalpay, off Harris, has a population of about 200, but none of them are aged below 7. Following the closure of a fish processing factory there a few years ago, there are no prospects of new employment - and thereby new families arriving. A similar problem caused a terminal decline in population on St Kilda, which was evacuated 79 years ago, in August 1930. Read more here.
The dates have been announced for the switch-over to digital television in Scotland. The Western Isles will transition in July 2010.
Monday, 27 July 2009
Monday 27 July
Breezy day with varying amounts of cloud and the odd downpour. Not cold, the mercury currently at 18C / 64F. Continuing my transcription of the local Roll of Honour for the First World War, bringing the total (at time of posting) to 4,675. I manage up to 700 a day before I turn square-eyed, something that is a normal state of affairs this end. The final total is probably around 6,700, so with a bit of luck it should be done by the end of this week. The Roll of Honour takes you round the Isle of Lewis counter-clockwise, which has left me on Great Bernera. I'll continue into Uig, then across to Lochs, where the listing ends. I intend to post this on the internet, but am running into the daft situation that the conversion from 2 MB Excel file results in a 40 MB HTML file. Ridiculous.
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Sunday 26 July
After a grey and dreich start, the sun came through some two hours ago, making it fairly bright this afternoon. The mercury has jumped to 18C, making it a mild day.
It's a quiet Sunday as well, with more in the news following the death of WW1 veteran Harry Patch yesterday. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is talking of organising a commemorative service for all those who died as a result of the Great War.
Across in America, a cruiseship made an unusual entry into port, when it was discovered to have a 70 foot whale stuck on its bow. The marine mammal was dead, and it required two tugboats to prise it off the cruise liner.
It's a quiet Sunday as well, with more in the news following the death of WW1 veteran Harry Patch yesterday. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is talking of organising a commemorative service for all those who died as a result of the Great War.
Across in America, a cruiseship made an unusual entry into port, when it was discovered to have a 70 foot whale stuck on its bow. The marine mammal was dead, and it required two tugboats to prise it off the cruise liner.
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Pictures 15 July
Your average road in North Uist
Near Baleshare
Scolpaig Tower
Church at Balranald
Berneray to Leverburgh ferry, MV Loch Portain
Northton, Harris
Beach at Scarista, Harris
Harry Patch RIP
Thanks to Jeannette for flagging this up.
Harry Patch, the last remaining British veteran of the First World War has passed away at the age of 111, a week after the death of Henry Allingham at 113. A chapter is closed, and only indirect accounts and photographs remain to remind us of the horrors of the trenches and the senseless slaughter of thousands. It is a strange coincidence that I am currently digitising the Roll of Honour of the Isle of Lewis, now two-thirds done. At least Harry Patch and his mates are all back together again, swapping yarns up there.
Salute to them all.
Harry Patch, the last remaining British veteran of the First World War has passed away at the age of 111, a week after the death of Henry Allingham at 113. A chapter is closed, and only indirect accounts and photographs remain to remind us of the horrors of the trenches and the senseless slaughter of thousands. It is a strange coincidence that I am currently digitising the Roll of Honour of the Isle of Lewis, now two-thirds done. At least Harry Patch and his mates are all back together again, swapping yarns up there.
Salute to them all.
Saturday 25 July
The day dawned bright and cloudless, but cumulus humulis have appeared and are obscuring the sun. The wind has also started to put in an appearance in the last half hour or so. A shower is possible, according to the forecast, but it should also be fairly warm (by our standards), with a max of 20C / 68F.
This year is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's bard, Robert Burns. In celebration, a Homecoming event has been organised for Scots abroad to gather in Edinburgh today. It will include a gathering of clans and Highland games. If I'm brutally honest, this sort of thing sets my teeth on edge. The history of the Scottish clans is far from memorable, and the demise of their power in 1746 was a disaster waiting to happen. Moreover, having lived in an outpost of Scotland for nearly five years, I have found the entire notion of clans barely relevant nowadays. Although there are plenty of surnames starting with Mac in this part of the world, they are rarely associated with the clan they designate. Usually, the name was adopted by those living on their land.
The history of the Highland Clearances is one that tends to be conveniently forgotten, or glossed over to hail the achievements of Scots in the diaspora. Absolutely correct, great things were wrought by those kicked off their home patch. But why weren't they allowed to build their lives and make great works in places like Skye, Rum, the east coast of South Uist or Sutherland? It is as a result of the Clearances that this whole Homecoming lark has come about. And as it was done under the noses of some of the Clan chiefs, it is hardly something to be proud of.
This year is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland's bard, Robert Burns. In celebration, a Homecoming event has been organised for Scots abroad to gather in Edinburgh today. It will include a gathering of clans and Highland games. If I'm brutally honest, this sort of thing sets my teeth on edge. The history of the Scottish clans is far from memorable, and the demise of their power in 1746 was a disaster waiting to happen. Moreover, having lived in an outpost of Scotland for nearly five years, I have found the entire notion of clans barely relevant nowadays. Although there are plenty of surnames starting with Mac in this part of the world, they are rarely associated with the clan they designate. Usually, the name was adopted by those living on their land.
The history of the Highland Clearances is one that tends to be conveniently forgotten, or glossed over to hail the achievements of Scots in the diaspora. Absolutely correct, great things were wrought by those kicked off their home patch. But why weren't they allowed to build their lives and make great works in places like Skye, Rum, the east coast of South Uist or Sutherland? It is as a result of the Clearances that this whole Homecoming lark has come about. And as it was done under the noses of some of the Clan chiefs, it is hardly something to be proud of.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Photo Video - Uists
This video is a compilation of photos which I took last week on my journey through the Uists, whilst looking for wargraves. The war graves feature on the Scottish War Graves Project website; the other pictures appear on Flickr.com - and on here.
A/C
As you may know, I keep an eye on hurricanes around the world, but my information is a wee bit curtailed due to a failure in the air conditioning systems at the NRL Monterey Marine Meteorology Division. They have been waiting for the past 10 hours for repairmen to arrive. Haven't we all been there?
Pictures 14 July
Trinity Temple, Carinish, North Uist
House at Balranald, North Uist
Dunskellor Cemetery, Sollas, North Uist
Beach at Sollas, North Uist
Abandoned slippers, Berneray
Berneray Youth Hostel
Beinn Mhor, South Uist from Lionacuidhe
Note: The maps / satellite images show the location from where the picture was taken, not necessarily the object as described
Friday 24 July
Late posting on a reasonable Friday, as far as the weather was concerned. Within half an hour of sunset, and we only had the odd shower. Very busy on the ferry, judging by the long queue at the ferry terminal at 5.30pm, 90 minutes before departure time. Spent the day transcribing more names from the local Roll of Honour, just over 700. This has seen me progressing down the coast from Ness to Ballantrushal, and I'll resume at Barvas tomorrow. The counter now stands at 3,550, well past the halfway mark. I think the final total will be between 6,000 and 6,700. I am beginning to think of a way of putting this information on the Net, but haven't decided yet.
Yesterday, a pod of dolphins were rescued from the coast of the island of Grimsay, between North Uist and Benbecula, some 75 miles south of here. They had got themselves into shallow waters, but volunteers managed to coax them back to the deep waters of the Atlantic. Two years ago, two dolphins got themselves stuck in Sandwick Bay, just down the coast from my position, and had to be put down.
Yesterday, a pod of dolphins were rescued from the coast of the island of Grimsay, between North Uist and Benbecula, some 75 miles south of here. They had got themselves into shallow waters, but volunteers managed to coax them back to the deep waters of the Atlantic. Two years ago, two dolphins got themselves stuck in Sandwick Bay, just down the coast from my position, and had to be put down.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Maps on picture entries
I have found this very useful site, which provides tailor-made Google Maps. I am including them on my picture entries for my trip last week, as I don't expect most of my readers to be as intimately familiar with the geography of Scotland as my entries may suggest you be.
In the latest entry, you can actually zoom in and out on the map, in order that you see where everything is on a larger scale. Hope this makes things clearer. Also hope you enjoy the pictures.
In the latest entry, you can actually zoom in and out on the map, in order that you see where everything is on a larger scale. Hope this makes things clearer. Also hope you enjoy the pictures.
Pictures 13 July
Old School, Lasgair, Lochboisdale
Eriskay
Polochar Inn
Beach at Ardmichael, Stoneybridge, South Uist
Howmore Youth Hostel, South Uist
Complaint
Following my complaint to the Independent (on Sunday) about the daft article on Sunday ferries out of Stornoway, I have received the following response:
Many thanks for your email regarding the Associated Press story carried by the website about the ferry service between Ullapool and Stornaway.
Firstly, apologies for the tardy response, I’ve been away this week and the emails were just passed to me.
The piece came from an AP journalist, not from the Independent or Independent on Sunday and there do seem to be some stereotypes rather enthusiastically embraced by the journalist in question. I will raise the issue with AP and take the story off the site immediately.
Best wishes
Jimmy Leach
Editorial Director for Digital
2 Derry Street
London
W8 5HF
020 7005 3553
07710 613961
Many thanks for your email regarding the Associated Press story carried by the website about the ferry service between Ullapool and Stornaway.
Firstly, apologies for the tardy response, I’ve been away this week and the emails were just passed to me.
The piece came from an AP journalist, not from the Independent or Independent on Sunday and there do seem to be some stereotypes rather enthusiastically embraced by the journalist in question. I will raise the issue with AP and take the story off the site immediately.
Best wishes
Jimmy Leach
Editorial Director for Digital
2 Derry Street
London
W8 5HF
020 7005 3553
07710 613961
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Pictures - 12 July
Oban
McCaig's Tower
St Columba's Cathedral
Oban seafront
Crossing to the Outer Hebrides
Duart Castle, Isle of Mull
Lismore Lighthouse
Castlebay, Isle of Barra
McCaig's Tower
St Columba's Cathedral
Oban seafront
Crossing to the Outer Hebrides
Duart Castle, Isle of Mull
Lismore Lighthouse
Castlebay, Isle of Barra
Pictures 11 July
Connel Bridge near Oban
The Green Welly Stop, Tyndrum
Dochart Falls, Killin
Loch Earn, St Fillans
Forth Rail Bridge from the Forth Road Bridge (near Edinburgh)
Wednesday 22 July
After a reasonably bright morning, the afternoon has turned incredibly wet. Heavy downpours are deluging my area, and as a result the drains aren't coping. A flood is seen up the road (few inches of water) and in other areas of Stornoway.
Last night (European time), a solar eclipse occurred, with the sun being obscured for more than 6 minutes in some areas. The next time such a long eclipse of the sun will happen is in 2132. Right, I'll pencil that in my diary for that year, will I.
Last night (European time), a solar eclipse occurred, with the sun being obscured for more than 6 minutes in some areas. The next time such a long eclipse of the sun will happen is in 2132. Right, I'll pencil that in my diary for that year, will I.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
11 July 2009 - Edinburgh
Looking south from Calton Hill, Edinburgh
Looking north from Calton Hill, Edinburgh
Looking north from Calton Hill, Edinburgh
Tuesday 21 July
The day started quite sunny, but cloud has slowly moved up from the south, obscuring the sun from about 2.30pm onwards. Warmer than yesterday, with the mercury a notch above 18C this afternoon. It is breezy, but in the sun and out of the wind it is a nice day nonetheless.
One of the three men who died in the capsizing of the scallop dredger Aquila off Ardnamurchan yesterday has been named. The vessel was based at Maryport in Cumbria, northern England, and frequented the waters off Western Scotland and Northern Ireland. Lifejackets were not worn by any of the four, and the MCA notes with regret that these might have helped to save lives. It adds that it is imperative, when putting to sea, to also carry a means of communication - mobile phone, VHF band radio and /or emergency flares. This call comes in the wake of another missing fisherman who was found safe and well near Arisaig last night.
Pictures. I still owe you lot pictures from my trip last week. Bear with me, I'll sort that out.
One of the three men who died in the capsizing of the scallop dredger Aquila off Ardnamurchan yesterday has been named. The vessel was based at Maryport in Cumbria, northern England, and frequented the waters off Western Scotland and Northern Ireland. Lifejackets were not worn by any of the four, and the MCA notes with regret that these might have helped to save lives. It adds that it is imperative, when putting to sea, to also carry a means of communication - mobile phone, VHF band radio and /or emergency flares. This call comes in the wake of another missing fisherman who was found safe and well near Arisaig last night.
Pictures. I still owe you lot pictures from my trip last week. Bear with me, I'll sort that out.
Monday, 20 July 2009
Fishingboat capsizes - three die
Three of the four crew on board a fishing vessel have lost their lives after their boat capsized. This happened just north of the Ardnamurchan peninsula on the Scottish west coast this afternoon. The emergency services, including an RAF helicopter, a lifeboat and a shore-based Coastguard team rushed to the scene as the upturned hull of the vessel was seen drifting in choppy seas near the isle of Eigg. A man was recovered alive from the water, but three bodies were also found. The survivor was taken to hospital in Broadford, Skye.
My sympathies go out towards the next-of-kin of the deceased.
More details on Hebrides News.
My sympathies go out towards the next-of-kin of the deceased.
More details on Hebrides News.
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