NaBloPoMo 2026 - #07

 
This week has been mostly flat calm, and perfect for reflective images...

NaBloPoMo 2026 - #06

Last month, on October 13th, the fishing vessel Kilda, went out to work off the northeast coast of the island of Lewis. Amidst deteriorating weather conditions, the boat never returned. In the early hours of the following morning, the remains of the skipper were found near Port of Ness. Despite extensive searches, no trace of the other two crew members has been found, and the boat also remains missing. The funeral of Douglas Craigie has taken place in Carloway, a huge event that saw mourners seated in two churches and a community hall. A fundraiser on-line has gathered more than a quarter of a million pounds, a vast sum by any standard. Such, however, is the generosity of the people of this island in times of adversity, and this tragedy has affected everybody. 

Yesterday, a liferaft from the Kilda washed up at West Burrafirth, on the west coast of Shetland, a mere 220 miles away to the northeast. I am faintly disgusted with the hype of some media outlet who posted this news as a "major breakthrough"; and with other outlets who are speculating regarding the involvement of a submarine in the loss of the Kilda. There is no evidence, and until the Marine Accidents Investigations Branch conclude their inquiries, we just don't know. We may never know what happened to that fishing vessel. 

My thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with the families and friends of the crew of the Kilda.  

NaBloPoMo 2026 - #05

November 5th is Guy Fawkes night, to commemorate the Gun Powder Plot of 1605 in which Guy Fawkes conspired to blow up the Houses of Parliament. He famously failed in his endeavour and was executed. The commemorations take the shape of letting off fireworks around the country - including in Scotland.

The 17th century also saw the introduction of King William of Orange (William III), who was a Dutchman. His legacy lives on the 1692 Glencoe massacre, which was indirectly carried out in his name. The people of Glen Coe, a scenic mountain valley south of Fort William, had been required to swear allegiance to King William by a certain date or time, but this affirmation of loyalty did not reach the king in time. So, a contingent of soldiers came, asked for hospitality in houses in the glen, and in return for their hospitality put their hosts to the sword.

That's already bad enough.  Three years earlier, King William, a protestant, fought a pitched battle on the River Boyne in Ireland against Catholic forces. I am aware I am oversimplifying history, but the Troubles in Northern Ireland (between 1968 and 1998) are a direct result of this battle. And we have seen as recently as this summer that this antipathy continues to fester under the surface. When the Orange Order (see the connection?) wanted to march at Drumcree, they were stopped through a legal process. Cue a huge row between Catholic and Protestant politicians.

NaBloPoMo 2026 - #04

Darkness is falling as I type this, at 4.45pm. It's November, and the days are shortening at a rate of knots. We had phenomenal visibility; from my position, I could clearly make out the Applecross Forest. That's not a classical forest (as with trees), but a deerforest - in this case, a mountain range that rises to more than 2,000 feet (600 metres) above sealevel. Applecross is 55 miles or 90 km to the southeast. The odd thing was that it was sunny over there, but overcast here.

Just want to make a brief comment about the elections to the US Congress, which were held yesterday. The Republicans lost their majority in both houses of Congress. It would appear that the war against Iran, and the consequent rise in fuel prices worked against Trump. He even admitted to being "a little surprised". You do not tangle with the Americans when it comes to the price of their gas - petrol. And Trump's decision to import diesel from Russia, which is in fact subject to sanctions, could be regarded as treasonous - but that's not my decision. Donald Trump's ancestry goes back to a village, 4 miles north of Stornoway. And the villagers prefer not to mention him. 

NaBloPoMo 2026 - #03

I found myself thinking about Glenfinnan just now. It is a small hamlet on the A830 road between Fort William and Mallaig, famous for an arched railway viaduct. And that railway viaduct, constructed by "Concrete Bob" Macalpine, has rose to fame as it features in the Harry Potter franchise of movies. The villagers are driven to distraction by the hordes of people who descend on their little patch for the express purpose of watching a steam-train driving over the viaduct. Because that would be the Harry Potter train. Extensive carparking has been made available, but still, visitors park irresponsibly and walk along the road without due care and attention. It is a gripe that extends into Skye, not that far up the road, which is also the setting for various famous movies.

 
Although in the past you'd have to take a ferry to Skye, there has been a bridge to that island now for 30 years. I am certainly not opposed to tourism (I have helped out in the tourism industry for some years), but do feel it should be better managed. 

In the Outer Hebrides, you can't just hang a left at Ullapool, drive 50 miles and you're in Stornoway. You have to shell out at least £100 take a car on the Loch Seaforth (one way), sit on the ferry for the better part of three hours and hope the Minch is not too bumpy. Point I'm making: you have to actively want to come here. The campervans were many and varied again this summer, but they are mostly gone now. I noticed that the local hostel is now closed until next Easter - so we're in the down season. Time to regroup, rejuvenate, take stock - and prepare for next year. All welcome.  

NaBloPoMo 2026 - #02

Today is All Souls, the day we remember those who have gone on ahead. As the year declines through its penultimate month, it is a fitting time to remember. In just over a week, it will be Armistice Day, and I'll post about that separately. 

This day, in the year that saw me wandering around the north of Scotland, I took a ride out to Corrour Station. It lies 20 miles east of Fort William, and can only be reached by train or on foot. From there, it is a mile's walk to the youth hostel at Loch Ossian, a strange place of many memories. 

On this occasion, a stag had been lured into the hostel with biscuits. The pic dates from 1994. 
Male guests were invited to pee on the grass, and anyone who felt like it could swim in the loch behind the hostel in lieu of a bath. On my very first visit, in 1990, I met a man whose house had just burned down. It was called Lubnaclach, and stands about 2 miles southwest of Corrour Station. The shell is still visible from the train. 

People walk from Fort William to Corrour, a walk through the wilderness. I have not ventured much beyond the lower reaches of Glen Nevis, or to the edge of Loch Treig. 

Took this pic in May 1997

NaBloPoMo 2026 - #01

 November has just arrived as I type this. The leaves are turning, mist alternates with storms. Daylight is shrinking from 5pm and temperatures are falling. Autumn is in its second full month. Over the next few weeks, we'll see a number of days of note. Guy Fawkes on Thursday, the Night of Broken Glass on the 9th - which is also the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall. 1989 only seems like yesterday, but is no less than 37 years ago. The calendar turns again beyond St Andrew's Day on the 30th - by which time we'll be headed for Christmas. For now, enjoy November - Movember - and I'll try to post each day.