Picture post - 14 May

Tuesday 14 May

At 1 o'clock, I went to the ferry terminal to go on the ferry to Ullapool. If memory serves, my last crossing was in 2009. It was a dreich day, with low cloud and occasional rain. After leaving port at 1.50pm, the island soon disappeared behind the mist and murk, and the mainland hills took a while to appear. There was hardly any swell. The crew decided to enact an emergency drill, to liven up a dull crossing. By 3.15, the mainland hills loomed up out of the mist, and the ferry presently sailed into Loch Broom. The cruiseliner Artania was anchored off Ullapool. A quick transfer saw me on board the 961 bus to Inverness. It was raining steadily from Ullapool to the watershed at Loch Glascarnoch, but the sun started to appear after Garve. Got into Inverness around 6pm, and proceeded to my digs. After a bite to eat, I went for an amble round the city. Found the old Youth Hostel on Old Edinburgh Road, which burned out in 2007 - it still stands as a shell. The edifice is a listed building, but it's best torn down. I stayed there in 1992. Had an early night.

Monday 13 May

A very wet and windy day in Stornoway, although it did improve through the afternoon. We had snow and sleet mixed in with the rain, and that pegged the mercury back to winter-like values like 8C.

A criminal trial is currently taking place at Glasgow Crown Court, related to the murder of 16-year old Liam Aitchison back in November 2011. Two men stand accused, but have pleaded not-guilty. The unpleasant details of the murder have been spelled out in court, making for at times distressing reading.

Last week, the body of a 51-year old local woman was discovered on a beach at Swordale. She had taken her life by jumping off the cliff. Ann Maccallum had been the manager of the local Woolworths, succeeded by its successor WeeW. The suicide came as a complete shock to the community here; a memorial service is to be held in Stornoway later in the week.

Saturday 11 May

The MV Hebridean Princess came into port today for the first of this season's visits. She is a small, 49-passenger cruiseship, converted from the former Calmac ferry Columba. For £5,000, you can spend two weeks hanging over the railing, being seasick around the Hebrides. Sorry.

It was a nice sunny day today, but not terribly warm. After 17C earlier this week, we have gone back to 12C. The sun feels warm enough, but the air does not.

MV Hebridean Princess

Friday 10 May

Spring has slowly made inroads into the Hebrides, and our temperatures now reach double figures in the daytime. Flowers are coming out, as are the leaves on the trees.

Yesterday, the body of a woman was found on a beach at Swordale, 4 miles east of Stornoway. Today, her identity was reveiled. Ann Maccallum was a local business woman who had managed the Woolworth store in Stornoway, until the chain folded in 2008. After a stint in Harris Tweed, she had gone to manage the WeeW store in the town - until the tragic news of her death.

Thursday 9 May

At 10.36pm:

Wednesday 8 May

Another bright and sunny day, until the cloud increased with rain following in the afternoon. I accompanied two visitors to the beach at Tolsta; leaving them to paddle in the sea whilst I ambled the mile and a half to Tolsta Head, and the same distance back. Hardly anybody there, and by the time I got back to the road, nobody on it. Lovely.

 

Tuesday 7 May

Brilliantly sunny and warm day, with the thermometer at 17C at one point. Had lunch outside, and an amble around the harbour.

Monday 6 May

MV Wilson Algeciras, delivering another windturbine to the island.

Sunday 5 May

Took a walk from Sandwick back to Stornoway in the morning; rain came on soon afterwards.

Saturday 4 May

NLB vessel Pole Star


The below two pics were taken at around 8pm

Friday 3 May

Cruiseliner Ocean Nova called round this morning, to depart for the Shiants in the afternoon.

Thursday 2 May

Wednesday 1 May - picture post