Thursday 28 February

The last day of the meteorological winter, and there were hints of spring about. We managed double figures on the thermometer for the first time in many weeks. It was quite misty at times, with low clouds hanging about the tops of the hills. Further south, I am told it was downright foggy, but as I often say, there are compensations for being in a high latitude.

I went for a 4½ mile walk along the harbour and right through the Castle Grounds today. It went from the Waterwheel in the north, across the Golf Course to just north of Gallows Hill, then back via Cuddy Point and the Castle.

Wednesday 27 February

We lost the sun today but it remains fairly mild. I have done a fair bit for my project, in that I have covered Great Bernera.  Twenty men from that wee island, off the west coast of Lewis, went forth to war between 1914 and 1919, never to return. Some perished in the sinking of the Iolaire, their total being 205.

This week has seen large moorland fires near Ranish, about 7 miles south of here. Late February and March is the season for muirburning, but if not executed properly, burning the heather can get badly out of control. Earlier this week, I spotted a huge plume of smoke trailing northeast, and the fire flared up again today.