Dance With The Devil

06/12/2005

The dogs make a great noise this sunny morning, being Sunday I do not expect Mhairi to be chasing them from the boot room door, so I tumble down the Great Stair and let them out, two things surprise me. First it is 4 am in bright sunlight, second is that having had the glen to ourselves for a couple of weeks I can count the smoke rising from at least twenty campfires within a few hundred yards of the garden. Ah well at least I can shut the door on the midges and slip quietly between the crisp sheets of the Great bed of Trollaigh and cuddle dearest Dottie for a two or three more hours. Communion at Bridge of Orchy kirk and the great joy of sharing it with like-minded souls despite having to park the baronial Land Rover on the grass as the car park is full. I claim the traditional licence to slip into the pub for a stiffener and a chat with the bar staff, now from every continent and corner, they explain that the crowds of campers and cars are due to a host of charity walks, triathlons, the Caledonia Challenge and the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the West Highland Way. Ignoring the special events, I am told that over a thousand walkers each day are crossing the A82 at Bridge of Orchy where despite repeated requests to the Scottish Executive there is no speed limit or calming measures. It can only be a matter of time before there are fatalities in this black spot and I for one will have no hesitation in naming the civil servants who are responsible in letters to all the Scottish press. Climbing back into the motor, I manage a few worlds with our minister, the Rev John Shedden, complimenting him on his uplifting service and his choice of hymn; “We’ve a story to tell to the nations that shall turn their hearts to the right”. John is somewhat taken aback when I offer my support of his political views, he shakes my hand and with a wistful look calls me “a dear old Duffer” what can he mean? Yours Aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.