A Short Walk

The Diary apologises if readers have seen a picture very like this somewhere before. The difference is that this one is hot from the digital camera, having been taken during our short walk this afternoon over the hills above the village. Hill walking in the afternoon at this time of year is very limited by the light. We set off shortly after 2.30pm, knowing we would have little more than an hour before we needed to be off the hill.

It has been a perfect day here, with a fresh southwesterly wind but some warm late autumn sunshine. As we climbed the hill we saw an eagle high above Beinn na Seilg, the second eagle we've seen today, a smaller raptor which was very likely a kestrel, and our steps put up a woodcock which flew away with its characteristic fast, low, zig-zag flight.

From high on the hill we looked directly down on the Sound of Mull. This is one of the Northern Lighthouse Board's two repair and servicing ships, the Pole Star, passing close to the Ardmore light. She didn't stop but proceeded down the Sound.

From the eastern end of the hill we looked straight down onto the village and the back of Kilchoan Bay. The colour of the water was almost Caribbean blue, and the dead bracken glowed in the late afternoon sun.

By the time we dropped down to the road, just before 3.30pm, the sun was behind Maol Buidhe and all of Ormsaigbeg was in shadow, while the far end of the village, particularly along Pier Road, remained in bright sunlight for a further half hour.

The picture shows Cruachan, a recently-renovated croft house.