Monday 2 August

Not a bad day, although we had to do without the sun. A large cruiseship, the Delphin Venture, lay anchored off the Arnish Lighthouse, whilst its passengers were taken ashore for tours of the usual suspects - the Callanish Stones, the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village &c.

Today saw the start of the Continental Market in the centre of Stornoway, with many stalls of food and craft items on display and for sale. It was very busy.

On Saturday, we'll have the annual Stornoway Carnival, in which a procession of floats and people will proceed from the Caberfeidh Hotel down Bayhead Street to South Beach. There, a funfair is currently being constructed, which will give entertainment to young and all.

In the meantime, I called into the An Lanntair arts centre, where world-renowned photographer Murdo Macleod has an exhibition of, amongst others, the rich and famous. From Gordon Brown and Tony Blair to David Cameron, from Amy Winehouse to Giles Brandreth. And no blushes spared.