NaBloPoMo 2024 - day 17

This morning, the 39-year old ferry Hebridean Isles departed Stornoway for the final time, to be scrapped. Three hours later, the Tesco superstore opened its doors for the first time on a Sunday. I walked past half an hour later. The carpark was full, surrounding streets even busier than during a weekday at that time; a camera crew were skulking about, waiting to trap the unwary - and a group of poor souls, forlornly holding up a banner saying "Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy". There is an attitude around, beyond this island, that we should come into the 21st century, join the rest of the country which has been enjoying Sunday trading for three decades. That is condescending, and ignorant of a special way of life that we can afford to have, 50 miles off the mainland. But, the die has been cast, Tesco has claimed that there is widespread support for its Stornoway store to open on Sunday. There is, I know that. And as it's there, it will be used.