Saturday, February 26, 2005
Bloody MacGregors
02/26/2005
Over a week now of fair weather, and today is no exception, still cold with an easterly breeze, but certainly this morning as we awake at Tregenna in Kilmacolm, it is a blue cloudless sky. Our visit last night to “The Farmer’s Dance” was a great success, dancing the night away for the second weekend on the trot is exceptional for dearest Dotty and I, and I dare say that our combined limbs are not as supple as they once were. Into Glasgow to see young Andrew Kerr’s exhibition at the Modern Institute, which is truly excellent, Andrew was kind enough to explain some of the work to us in person, while the gallery was being cleaned up after last nights usual lively “opening”. Andrew joined us for a light lunch at Sarti’s. Then we had a browse around the Prince’s Square and indulged in a little window shopping. We made our way slowly home to Glen Trollaigh through some splendid scenery, with lots of white mountain tops in the sunny weather. A large number of cars were parked in all the usual spots, so many folk must have been enjoying the weather and the countryside. At the Tower of Glen Trollaigh, we find everything well under our eldest daughter’s control. All we have to do is spend some time on the phone and plough through yesterday’s post. Dotty and I stride up the Alt Trollaigh for a breath of air. Now is the time when the Tower enjoys its own sunbeam at 5.15 while the sunset just skims the edge of the MacDonald ridge, magical. I read The Herald in front of the Great Fire before turning in early, and I am irritated by a spread about the forthcoming marriage of an important MacGregor to some minor celebrity, of whom I have never heard. The MacGregor claims roots in Glenorchy, this is quite wrong as they come from Glen Strae. Mind you, one glance at his amazing tartan turnout and it is not surprising that he does not know where he comes from. Anyone claiming kinship to Rob Roy rapidly realizes that Rob must have lived for three hundred years and moved house twice a day if there is even the slightest provenance in every knoll, cave or hovel that carries his name. The Trollaighs will never forget that Rob Roy frequently stole cattle from the glen, even having the temerity to carry off three of the fourth Baron’s handpicked wenches. Bloody MacGregors! Yours Aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.
Friday, February 25, 2005
Langoustine
02/25/2005
Our dry but freezing weather continues. Skies are overcast with an east wind, but we do enjoy the odd glimpse of sun and blue sky. It is the full moon and this provides bright conditions at night, whether it is clear or not, allowing us to watch from the windows for nocturnal visitors such as pine martens, deer, owls and the odd feral cat. The latter has me reaching for the gun, but I am restrained by dearest Dotty who loves all creatures great and small. Today is our wedding anniversary, and leaving in good order for Oban, we rely on the eldest to field the phone calls and shout at the sheep. It is wonderful to have her at home, particularly as she has Lachie’s number after he backed the wrong horse with the Baked Bean Taster, and as they say locally, “the sweat is fair lashing off him” as he attempts the long list of tasks allotted to him. A very different man management technique than my own. We positively whiz through Lawyers, Accountants (more of all that another day), Banks, Garden Centres, Office Supplies, visit to the Ambulance Service, barely stopping for a coffee at the Eeusk. Then an absolutely fabulous celebration lunch at the Waterfront, maybe their best ever effort, gorging on seafood, sampling their new Chilean Chardonnay. We look down with envy on The Hebridean Princess, preparing to cruise tonight, perhaps one day our daughters will treat us to this hedonistic, but unaffordable luxury! The afternoon spent shopping and we return to the Tower at 10.00 pm. Today (Friday) we are preparing for another social engagement, The Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Society Dance, or just, “The Farmers Dance”. We will enjoy meeting many longstanding friends and plan to be in Glasgow for most of Saturday. Yours Aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.