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This photo, taken on Tuesday while the fine spell lasted, looks westwards from the jetty below the Shop. The houses of Ormsaigbeg are scattered along the hillside to the right, ending against the hill called Maol Buidhe, beyond which stand the high cliffs of Sron Bheag. In the left distance is the Sound of Mull and the low-lying northern end of Mull.
The warm colours of the hillside come from the stands of bracken which have overtaken croft land that has fallen from use. It's said that bracken is a fussy plant which prefers the deeper, richer soils.
The size of the crofts decreases towards Maol Buidhe. As people were moved from the outlying villages which were cleared for sheep, they came to Ormsaigbeg. Those who came late were forced to settle towards the end - the house of the last croft, Coilum, is just visible on the skyline. Even though the riches of the sea were available, it must have been a terrible struggle to support a family on so little land.
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