This is our 6th journal of our stay on Barra last November. One instalment was written at Christmas whilst I was at home in Ayr . I hope I haven’t confused you, if you are following us . I have been writing this now in retrospect and I cannot emphasis enough about what a pleasure it has been to recall and share this lovely small island on the Outer Hebrides with you. My husband and I have enjoyed a wonderful journey together and we will never forget this special time.
Pulling our experiences /photographs together now, I am finding myself feeling a little sad, as there are so many many moments to share and although everything has been an absolute joy ,endings are never easy .
Here is our last instalment of last Novembers trip but I will post more later as I have since visited in February 2019 and I will be posting all the art work which will be flowing after this blog is complete.
View from Our Lady on Heaval
We set out with our friends to climb this hill, this Hill we had been looking at for and driving round for several weeks, which dominates the landscape. Heaval is the highest summit on the Isle of Barra, and forms a dramatic backdrop to Castlebay. The ascent is short but very steep and rewards with stunning views on a clear day.
We knew it was going to be wet underfoot so I I choose to walk in my wellies . It was an easy enough climb but was understandibly a little tricky towards the top, but, my word! Worth every step .
Me peeping over the top
This was indeed one of the many highlights of our 6 week stay on the island, The view from the summit has fired our enthusiasm to see more of the Hebrides . Coming in November has not been a disappointment, far from it, I have so enjoyed the winter colours. We are looking forward in anticipated eagerness to seeing the flowers of Barra and the machair and Archie is looking forward to a chance to fish with Jackson in May next year,
The view from the summit was spectacular. We had a little picnic and enjoyed music ! Yes music ! As Jackson had brought his blue tooth speaker ! with him . What a man ! Some folks even had a dance!
The video is a little wobbly and I suggest you turn the sound down as the wind is noisy, but it will give you a flavour of the view .
Without a doubt we have loved the sandy soft beaches, the watercolour wash of sea and sky of Vatersay, Tangasdale, Eoligarry, and the cockle strand Ardmore and Cleat
Here are a few photographs for you to enjoy the colours are magical and look just like watercolours
On the outskirts of the beaches there always seems to be a gate which beckons you to walk through , where you will find unspoilt treasure. Golden sands that sparkle in the sunshine, shells of every colour , shape and size. Stones of the most amazing patterns, beautifully rounded by decades of being tumbled by the waves and sand. Beach finds of various unusual things, both man made and natural, stunning colours of sea glass that reflect the colours of the sea.
A must go through gate that leads to treasure.
Sea glass finds of warm beautiful tones of green
In this particular stretch we we were rewarded by the most amazing stones
Treasure on the beach of zebra stripped stones with magical related lines and rich green contrasting moss.
More treasure , amazing sand patterns almost skeleton like and very figurative, like bone and muscle.
Man made treasure a visual feast of texture and sometimes hard shapes with a few surprises often placed to stop erosion of the sea.
The sheer strength and power of the sea with its huge waves has been exhilarating. We have taken so many photographs. well over four thousand However for me nothing can compare with the sands of Barra knowing you are on the edge of the Atlantic and walking on virgin sand, which has been newly washed by the tides . The sheer unspoilt plethora of visual treats to enjoy never cease to amaze . The colours are breathtakingly beautiful and as an artist this inspiration can sometimes be so overpowering that you are left with a sense of unimaginable heaviness as the seconds of this beauty is so fleeting. You want to hold on to it, trying to capture this.,this is the task before me. and I can say I am feeling a little overwhelmed, but I will give it my best shot .
My stones, glass and shell collection is beginning to shape up nicely , just pondering how to get them all home. I know we will use some of them for our “Gathering the Spirit of the Hebrides” Exhibition in Castlebay in June. Each shell has been handpicked, given up easily by the winds of time and lovingly collected.
Shells have a flat edge and they are called spoon clams
Growing by the day
Meantime I have been painting in the studio and trying to bring my experiences of the colours and textures together and onto canvas, whilst listening for the Twin Otter through the skylight window and to the wind and the bird cries of the oyster catchers , enjoying the quietness,……to just be, so special.
in the studio painting Vatersay Eogiltary and my own beach at Crannog
Moonlight in Castelbay and some evening light on the land
November evening light at Northbay
During our last few weeks we walked as much as we could when the weather was fair, going out to watch the waves, picking up stones or collecting shells . This became a comfortable way of life Everytime we ventured out within minutes I was reaching for my camera , in awe of the weather clouds and the effect of the light on the shore and land . We also enjoyed the cows and sheep who watched us on our walks and who almost always seemed to be happy, well nourished and very clean !
One of the many beautiful cows, so docile and serene
It can be rainy in November too!
Watching the feeding flocks of geese on the grassy shores , taking to the skies , a sight in Tangasdale that never fails to stop you in your tracks.
Cleat has a feeling all of it own from the caravan that is embedded in the sand which is an oft photographed foreground structure of interest. The view north looking over the top of the caravan sometimes catches the in coming Twin Otter as it approaches the airport from the west. It quite dramatic as it comes in very low over the beach to the west of Traigh Mhor .We enjoyed a few walks along this coastal stretch constantly being drawn to watching the motion of the waves and on the odd occasion seals popping up to investigate the noise made by human voices which seems to carry out across the water to where they bob up and down. In many ways wild animals are often quite timid creatures but we have found the seals to be less readily disturbed or frightened as they seem to be well aware that they at outwit our reach.
Irene has often found a sheltered spot where armed with her sketch pad she has skilfully captured the ever changing state of the tide and the fascinating ruggedness of the rocks and the soft gentle sweeps of the sand dunes,
Cleat and some fine fellas
Some sketches
Getting to know the various places and beginning to become familiar with the landscape and the community , we were beginning to get Barra, but Barra had definitely got to me too.
Our wonderful walks with Jackson and Eileen in all sorts of weather , sun , rain , gale and sometimes icy hail would be memories to cherish .We did have some laughs along the way, this was one of my favourite photographs taken by Eileen .
Loving our silhouette as I sat sketching Archie and Jackson taking photographs and of course Thai looking on
A happy shot with us all in and Heaval too!
A time to relax and chill, happiness is sharing moments like this and the view, well we can see it !
As our time was coming to a close I was trying not to think of leaving ,thankfully our friends will be staying longer and we should able to return. God willing . We also have our exhibition to work towards in June
A sad artist preparing to pack up and leave, no don’t want to go !
Saying goodbye to our wonderful cosy home Grannag Cottage
Time to say goodbye to our own beach with Crannag in the background
We will miss this early morning view from the cottage
Now I do feel this is not the end , infact it is another beginning , how can you you stop a love affair when you are still in love. We will post again soon, as I for one won’t be staying away for long . I hope you have enjoyed the journey along with us and we will say cheerio for now, Need to work towards our Gathering the Hebridean Spirit in June 2019