The North wind lessened so we could paddle away from Eigg, feeling inspired, heading for the mainland. Again the shearwaters put on a wave-skimming flying display for us. Returned to a beach just south of Morar, where I led a group of Barnardo boys Kayak-camping in 1967. Got a beautiful sunset over the Skye Cullin, as in the film, Local Hero.
I'm fond of Mallaig, but it was pretty crowded, so the next day, after shopping and fish & chips, we headed into a northerly headwind again. We were glad to reach Airor in the west of Knoydart, where my old friend Dave lives. We worked together at Camusrory (at the head of Loch Nevis), where Barardos had an adventure school - but he stayed!
He's been crofting on Knoydart, the most remote part of UK mainland, ever since. He was making silage for his cattle when we arrived, but took the time to give us a fine welcome. I couldn't refuse his beef stew -my vegetarianism relaxes about once a decade in "3rd world", non-factory farm, situations. Dave's pushing 70 and is considering scaling down his crofting, but wouldn't move -he loves the real neighbourliness of this isolated community.
Tom
ReplyDeleteWas at Camusrory in 1969 and 1970, Dave Smith was always a gentleman. Was over in Knoydart in 2006, walked from Inverie to Camusrory just for a trip down memory lane. At the time wasn't aware Dave was living in Airor. Hoping to make it up there in 2011, live in Oz, just retired. Love Scotland and Knoydart,
Frank YATES