Swallows And Pirates

07/07/2006

The news of Tom Weir’s death reaches here to-day. I remember him, as a frequent visitor to Glen Trollaigh in the 50’s and 60’s when he kept a “grace and favour” bothy on the farm for his chums. Of course, he went on to much greater things than conquering Glen Coe in a bobble hat and ex-army boots, leading hard climbs in The Alps, Nepal and Africa in the days when the ghost of Mallory must have been at his shoulder. There is some talk of renaming The West Highland Way, The Tom Weir Way, and I support that, a sad day for North Argyll and Scotland.

We are lucky to have a great number of young birds about the policies as recent good weather has hatched plenty of bugs to feed them, and there are several rarities proving the success of our winter feeding programme. However, the clown’s prize must go to a fairly batty pair of Swallows who considered long and hard about their nesting spot, starting to build at least three nests before plumping for one over my favourite boot room doorway. Much to my delight, they have produced at least three nestlings, and long after their peers are swooping after Mum and Dad in a display not unlike a WW2 Squadron Leader tenderly nursing snotties through the finer points of aerial combat, the batty pair has taken to attacking the Baron every time I emerge from the doorway. This drives the dogs mad, however I rather enjoy the rush of the near misses, and I only hope the pair will not neglect their feeding duties in the process.

The Trollaigh womenfolk remain at Wimbledon, we three left to guard the Tower of Glen Trollaigh must seek diversions. Lachie, Mhairi and I decided to extend our shopping trip to Oban to take in the UK premiere of “Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest” with a dinner in “Coast” restaurant before hand. I have been wary of Coast as it is housed in an old joint stock bank building. However, we did have a good dinner, to be honest I felt that the iciness of the front of house was thinly veiled and the colour scheme threatening, perhaps I was pipped by the fact that none of the servitors recognised me. However, if one finds oneself in Oban, Café 41, The Manor House, The Waterfront and Eeusk are all better. The Cinema was a blast and full of recently released Oban High School Pupils who stamped and farted throughout two and a half hours of Walt Disney nonsense. When the lights went up I was not only delighted to see a few pillars of Oban society, but also that the said RROHP’s were harmless and poorly dresses with hair dyed in various shades of red, my hat goes off to the bunch in the back row dressed as Johnnie Depp look-a-likes. I was glad to be back at the Tower of Glentrollaigh for a stiffener and bed by 1.00am.

All good fun, Yours Aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.