Different

Summer is on its way here in the Western Isles, and mass tourism has arrived. Today's cruiseliner, the Rotterdam, has spewed hundreds of passengers ashore, who throng the streets of our wee town. Stornoway has a population of roughly 6,000, which increases to 9,000 if you taken in outlying districts like Laxdale, Parkend and Newmarket. In the past, large cruiseliners like the Rotterdam would have to lie at anchor outside the harbour entrance. Now that the Deep Water Terminal has been completed, they can go alongside. Passengers are ferried to town in double-decker buses, a novelty in Lewis, by the hundred at a time. 

What is also different from before the pandemic are the large numbers of campervans. It is a delicate subject in the islands, leading to lively discussions on Facebook and other forums. Research has shown that their economical contribution to the islands' economy is low, as they fuel up on the mainland, and do their shopping on the mainland. Generally speaking - I should not generalise.

Our roads are good, but many are single-track, only wide enough for one car. Passing places allow opposing traffic to meet and safely move past each other. But you have to know the unwritten rules of the road when using these narrow lanes. Other road users have horns or antlers, and are oblivious to the fast-moving chunks of metal. Many accidents are caused through deer collisions. 

By all means, cross the Minch and come to the islands. Especially in weather like today, warm sunshine and a respectable 15C on the thermometer. It's not always like this, our winters tend to be punctuated by high winds, hail and snow. A gale only gets noticed when gusts exceed 75 mph. That's the time when the ferry gets cancelled, and our supply chain is interrupted. Don't be surprised at the sight of empty shelves when you've just struggled to get into Tesco against ferocious winds.