A Grey Walk

It's been one of those nondescript days, grey, with light westerly winds and a one hundred percent overcast, but that's no reason for not taking to the hills. This morning we walked along the upper slopes of the ridge at the back of Ormsaigbeg, Druim na Gearr Leacainn, starting at the eastern end with views over Ormsaigbeg, Ormsaigmore and Kilchoan and wandering gently westwards.

This is the view from the same place but slightly further round into the northwest, looking across the Ormsaigbeg common grazings to the Ormsaigmore croft lands and, beyond them, the houses in Kilchoan's Glebe Hill. The hill on the skyline at right is Glas Bheinn, the highest point at the centre of the ridge running along the skyline is Meall an Tarmachain, and the peak of Meall nan Con is away to the left.

About half way along are the remains of a stone structure which is almost square in plan and far too well built to be an animal enclosure. It might have been a dwelling, but it seems an unlikely spot for someone to live, unless is was something like an occasional shelter used by the shepherd who once lived at the far end of Ormsaigbeg, beyond the Twin's House.

This picture looks down at the western end of the Ormsaigbeg croft lands, with Port na Clachan - how good it is to know its name! - at centre left. Mull lay along the horizon, and above it was a gap in the clouds which didn't last long enough for the sun to find its way through.

The ridge seemed unusually barren of wildlife, but there's always a surprise to be found, in this case a single flowering head of a cross leaved heath which is months late, and....

....a message from a passing pine marten to say that he came this way not long ago, and to warn the crofters who keep poultry to lock up their birds at night.