The Chinese New Year occurred this week, heralding the Year of the Sheep. It's the sheep that features heavily in the history of the Highlands and Islands of the last two hundred years. It was the humble sheep that took the place of people and communities the length and breadth of northern Scotland. Not the fault of the sheep. But the fault of those who used its low cost to justify removal of people from land they had inhabited since time immemorial. The fault of a government who committed the ultimate folly in getting rid of its most precious asset - people - by permitting these clearances. Sheep still litter the Highlands and Islands, not to great financial benefit to their owners.
In history, there was another Year of the Sheep, the one referred to in the Gaelic title to this piece. The year was 1792. More information here.
Saturday, 21 February 2015
Friday, 20 February 2015
MV Loch Seaforth leaving at 7 am
Monday 16 February
Today, the ferry terminal was taken into use today after being out of commission since last May for the refurbishment. MV Loch Seaforth is now taking up the sailings to Ullapool, with MV Isle of Arran in reserve. Ferry traffic queues on Shell Street, before allowed to proceed to the marshalling area. Some finishing work is currently undertaken by the workboat C-Salvor. It has been a long, long wait, but we're finally back to normal. For now.
Saturday 14 February
Valentine's Day - don't forget that there are 364 more days in the year to express your feelings to that special person in your life.
Nice day today, not a cloud in the sky for the first time this year.
Nice day today, not a cloud in the sky for the first time this year.
Sunday, 15 February 2015
Copenhagen
Following the appalling attack in Copenhagen last night, the Israeli prime minister has called on all Jews to come home to Israel. I'm not happy with that statement. If Mr Netanyahu wants to help in the fight against islamist extremists, he should place his country's considerable expertise in the field at the disposal of the world community. Calling on all Jews to come home will only fuel the flames of the evil that is anti-semitism. I took exception to the events in the aftermath of the Paris attacks last month, when the four dead from the supermarket attack were whisked away to Israel for burial - because they were Jews. I am also not happy with those who will not accept criticism of the Israeli PM. He is a man who should be severely censured for several of his policies, some of which indirectly exacerbate the problem of islamist extremism. If Barack Obama has leverage with Mr Netanyahu, he should use it. Extremism (justified through religion) should be rooted out - now.
Saturday, 14 February 2015
Friday 13 February
Loch Seaforth did its first crossing to and from Ullapool this morning, with about 200-300 passengers on board.
Thursday 12 February
Today, the new ferry Loch Seaforth had an open day. Three thousand people thronged down the linkspan and explored her passenger accommodation. Car parking in the town was at a premium. I'll reserve my final judgment on the ship for after I've made a crossing in her.
Wednesday 11 February
The ship pictured above brought wind-turbine components for a wind farm between the Pentland Road and the Lochs Road.
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