A Trip Back In Time To Isle Martin…

I have been meaning to get back to continuing with this blog for sometime, but until now it obviously has never happened.
Better late than never, here is my return…

Friday 15th August saw me and a few others head out for a day trip to Isle Martin.
If Isle Martin sounds familiar to some of you, well it is the one which I saw on a daily basis when I lived at Ardmair.
And Friday 15th saw me return to Ardmair and set sail for Isle Martin…

There were five of us and we arrived at Ardmair Bay to meet our Captain and his Isle Martin Ferry ‘Auk’.
When we had left home, the clouds were breaking and blue sky and sunshine were poking through.
When we arrived at Ardmair, it was grey, misty and wet! Typical good ole Scottish Weather.
This however did not dampen our spirits.
Hoods up, leggings on, we boarded The Auk.
(Actually, when I say ‘Leggings on’, there was one person of course who had forgotten theirs, yes Dear Reader, it was I).
It is a short 10minute crossing to Isle Martin, not quite a mile, but with so much to see around you you’ll wish it could go on for a little while longer.
And John (Captain of the Auk) has a wealth of knowledge to share with you and as you near the Isle pier, he points out the few buildings on the island.

These buildings were our first port of call (As it was still raining).
We visited the Old Mill House & Information Point, the Macleod House and the Art Exhibition!
Then the New School and the Isle Martin Micro Museum were you take a step back in time and imagine what life use to be like. It was fascinating, but we wish we had more time booked that day to take everything in.

Hoods back up, it was time to explore the Isle.
We took the trail up from the Croft House and just as we neared the edge of the Trees, the rain cleared.
It was an easy walk to reach what is called the Back Beach.
I held back and just stood and soaked it all in, priceless.
There was a short path to the left and it took you to the well designed Shelter Bench and the perfect place to break out the pack up and exchange pleasantries with a Dutchman.

Due to me stopping to take photographs on every other step, I would find myself walking alone and just taking every moment in. Grey the day may have been, but it was truly stunning.
I then began to climb uphill and make my way to the Seawatch Point.
Here I watched some Seabirds and unearthed the 300mm I had in my backpack (I was shooting with the Olympus OM-1 mk ii today).
There were some Common Shags on the rocks further up the coast and in the sea breeze I managed to photograph them. Not much else at that point, but given the time of day and weather this was not surprising.
But I got a great view of Rhue Point Lighthouse and some boats passing by and the Summer Isles.
It looked and felt quite Autumnal, but for me that was fine, just perfect walking.

Heading back from the Seawatch Point, you have a choice of trail to take. Sadly not enough time to make the summit, loch and Dun Canna viewpoint, but I decided on a lower hill trail which would take me back down to the houses.
And … I got lost! How I managed this, I just do not know, there are markers along the trails, but somehow, I just could not locate the one I needed!
I looked at my watch and a moment of panic hit me; I was not going to make it back in time for the return Ferry!!
I texted my husband Alistair…

“Up the hill. On me own. It’s a bit boggy. I’m a little bit lost”.

He swiftly responded with …

“How on earth can you be lost, it is only a small island. Only You!”

He then sent another message … (Please read in a sarcastic mans voice)…

P.S. I best call search and rescue!

I put me phone back in me pocket, deciding he needed no more messages from me to humour himself with!

And then I just stood for another moment and my heart skipped a beat, there just across the water to the mainland was my old home at Ardmair.
I decided to message Alistair again and tell him that I could see the place where we first met in person.
“Great” he lovingly replied (Again, insert sarcasm).
I turned round and retraced my steps back downhill to the trail I started off on.

I was going as fast as I could to make the pier in time, but it is fair to say that, after some time off, I certainly wasn’t that fit anymore!
I make it to the houses and home straight and could see The Auk approaching the Isle and the rest of my fellow travellers waiting on the pier.
Captain John & The Auk and I reached the pier at the same time.
It was time to say farewell to the wonderful Isle Martin.
We lifejacket up and I hand my backpack & camera to John.
I get one foot in The Auk, with the other still on the pier and then…
I felt the boat move and just for the slightest moment I was doing the splits over the water of Loch Kanaird!
Amongst the laughter my fellow explorers pulled on the ropes to bring the Auk back in.
And before I knew it we were sailing back to the mainland, with chatter of when we were going to return and to enjoy the bit of sunshine which was just beginning to light up the odd patch of land of the surrounding hills and there was the mist lifting off my old neighbour Ben More Coigach.

I had taken a step back in time today and in more ways than one and it was just a fantastic day.

There are so many photos I could show, yes, even from a misty day like ours was, but I do not want to spoil things for future visitors.

I saw the following words written on a leaflet in the information centre;
We are sure a visit to Isle Martin will captivate and inspire you

And I can say it certainly will and I hope you come away with the memories we did.

Karen x

P.S. It’s good to be back

*The Shelter Bench & Time For A Sandwich*

*A Tree and Rocks and another outstanding View*

*Simply Stunning Scenes, It truly was a day to remember*

The Lonesome Duckling…

There was a break in today’s weather and I would take some things out of the house into the garage.

On my return I heard such a commotion on the river and saw Ducklings heading in all directions with what looked like a female duck chasing them off.

Now we have a pair of Mallard who seem to have taken up residence with us for the second year.
I call him Charlie Drake & her Mrs Drake. He’s quite a character and he dotes on her. They didn’t seem to rear any young last year, but hoped they would on their return this year , as yet nothing, but I think she could be sitting and Charlie Drake is never far away, often sitting on one of the boulders or visiting our feed station and there he was watching todays drama unfold.

After half a minute of seeing this female Mallard chasing Ducklings, I soon realised she wasn’t chasing them away as such, she was trying to scare them away and it worked, 3 of them headed down river, but one would stay glued to her feet. This had me a tad concerned as there were five last week. I then looked up stream and I could see a Heron and with Mum still calling out, I wondered if that no5 Duckling had met with a grizzly end last week and maybe this is why mum was in the panic that she was today?
Now some people may dispute this and say Herons would not eat Ducklings, it may not have actually happened here, but having seen it before, I can categorically say, that yes, a Heron will eat a Duckling.

I would head inside to get the McNikon and came back out in stealth mode.
But I was now also like a sitting duck and because of our positions there was no way that the Heron would not see me.
I got into the best position I could and managed to bag a couple of shots of said Heron, but of course ever watchful, he would eventually spy me and for a second, I’m looking through the McNikon and he was staring right back at me , just like the scene from Crocodile Dundee which sees Sue photographing Dundee at the Aboriginal gathering.
He then turned away and took a low flight further up stream.

Now in this short space of time, it hadn’t gone unnoticed that all Ducks, young and old, had gone.
That is, all but one! I could hear it, a Duckling, calling out, but could not pinpoint it.
Its calls were those of distress. I would then see it, sat low in the water near a rock. I would change my position and move to a better place to sit, I wouldn’t abandon it, I was here for the long haul to keep guard and I text Alistair to see if he would bring me a coffee.

Somewhat slower than Costa, Alistair arrived with my coffee and I pointed out the Duckling. And then right before us, the lonesome Duckling moved and began to face downstream and swim away from its hiding rock, then its call changed, it became almost excitable and coming into view appeared Mum and its three siblings. Mum scrambled onto a rock and Duckling made it to her and this family was reunited and soon began swimming and feeding with the last horror hour soon becoming a distant memory and I would get a photo for the album, then sit back and just thought ‘Awww’, Nature can be cruel and that’s life, but it can also be blooming wonderful.
The Lonesome Duckling was lonely no more

– Karen – x

P.S. For those that aren’t aware, in 2022 we moved and are now in the Highlands living on the side of a river. Life has changed somewhat again and I thought it was about time I got back to this blog Kx

Heron Watching me right back! — Heron Watching Me Watching Heron

The Family of five get along with their lives

Half a year gone ….

And you are gone.

Over half way through June.
The year is going by far too quickly.

We have two lots of House Martins nesting, on a night in bed you can hear them chattering, tis lovely.
Swallows diving in and out of the stable, but nae as many as last season.

It has been hot, can you believe way too hot, then Thursday Storm Hector paid us a wee visit and yesterday was torrential downpour, the yard was about flooded!

And we now have a Pony living at Tulloch! Two mugs broken and a Garden Parasol demolished this last week! And as I’m sat typing this, Alistair reckons he’s messed up the Sky dish too!
He is a proper Thelwell character!
Am hoping that all the animals will get on together (Eventually)

I can’t say I’ve had time to enjoy this Spring. Work is nonstop and that is why I have now blocked off Airbnb and am taking no more bookings. Still too soon to say if I am finishing it forever, but certainly come August I am done for now.
Exhausted and really struggling to cope, never mind not getting any Photography done and I need to be and WANT to be.
And The Wee Scottish Gallery is coming into its own, yet lots more to do there too.
Just work, work, work, hence behind on this journal too, it HAS to change.
On a positive note, oh boy, the sleep, the Gravity Blanket is awesome!

And talking of Photography, am (Can you believe), looking at trying something other than Nikon!
I think I have decided to trade in one of the McNikons!!
More on that if/when etc

Mum came up for flying visit this weekend, waved her off again this morning, far too short.
But, your ashes are now with me Father and I do so hope that you can hear me talking to you.

I want to wish you Happy Fathers Day Dad and to tell you that I miss you every day, as does Mum.

There is a huge void in our life’s, which try as we might, it will never be filled.

Life is changing again but more on that on a future post.
Just want to talk to you again
Karen x

Spring Lambs …

What a manic couple of weeks! And way behind with my journal. It has been nonstop busy! But … the joyous news is … that I have been sleeping! The Gravity Blanket seems to be doing its stuff. I have still woken during the nights, but managed to pretty much fall right back to sleep again. I am nae very good at explaining things, but the gravity blanket is the most amazing feeling. I have my fathers legs , now those of you who know , will know that this is not necessarily a good thing, yet this weighted blanket makes them feel so light and I’ve had no aches during the night from them.

18th April – Saw my first Lambs of the Spring.

Lost me phone in the evening. I’d left it in the Fridge! I know, well, don’t know, so please don’t ask.

Haven’t had a Brambling in the garden this winter, but this morning (Sunday), heard a noise and there was one in the Cherry Tree above the feeders.

Woke in discomfort, this was due to the Poodle & the nest he had made out of me Gravity Blanket. Told him I would look at getting a kennel for him today!!!

Trying to integrate Barclay and others, McQuack nae impressed and puffs himself out at Barclay! Also, think Barclay fancies the Tame Sheep!

Tuesday 24th April 7.30pm – The first Swallow has arrived, but a summer it doesn’t make!

Wednesday 25th The Tame Sheep has it in for McQuack and chased him down the glen!

Thursday 26th April – 4.31am, woke to Bruce cock a doodle doing! Wtf!

6.30am Bruce’s song was replaced by that of a Song Thrush, beautiful

Saturday 28th April – Beautiful but frosty and a covering of fresh snow on the hills.

Alistair in earlier tonight, so we headed off to the pub for tea.

Sunday 29th April – Cool start but beautiful & it soon warmed up.

Visitor sat out with Coffee enjoying the sunshine, when McDuck appeared off her nest and without warning, pretty much beat the hell out of Bruce the Cockerel! She soon had him literally pinned to the grass and was showing no mercy! I had to intervene with a stick, then Bruce turned on me! The visitor just sat drinking his coffee taking it all in!

1st May – Seriously, where is this year going to?!! May Gosling, but still no sign of Ducklings yet, surely can’t be long now? Though Muscovy do take 35 days.

2nd May – Another manic day and just as manic tomorrow. All will be revealed (Hopefully) at the weekend. It was a downpour last night and the river was in full flow this morning.

Looking out onto more new born lambs as I type this.

All in in all, it’s been a stressful couple of of weeks and the Tulloch menagerie are still running amok.

McDucks Downy Nest

Alistair & McQuack

Sixteen Squid!! …

What a dreich morning! Continued with clearing workshop out, still nae finished by time Jim had arrived at 8.30am, shortly followed by work colleague Dawid.

9am…. Work on The Wee Scottish Gallery extension has begun!! Yes, pleased to share with you that we are extending and there will be a Gallery within the Gallery.

So, it was a hive of activity the day.

Tonight, a DHL van pulled up, driver carrying small parcel, but would nae hand it over until I had paid £16 customs fee. WHAT!! For once, I hadn’t actually ordered anything, it had been for Alistair. Sods law he wasn’t here, so I had to pay up and look big.

When Alistair eventually arrived home, he pointed out it was a present for me. Sleeping tablets (Well, Gummies).

Actually, if you do shares, now would be a good time to invest in the insomnia market, As reckon it’ll be doing fairly well due to us.

Animals have behaved reasonably today.

Garden full of Siskins again today.

Overcast …

Woke during night, but actually managed to stay in bed til 7am! And then it was Barclay who made sure I got up.

Nice morning again, but more cloud appeared. Got bread made for guests and even set on giving espresso machine a good clean.

11am Deer appeared in field for brunch.

McDuck came out of the coop, so took the opportune moment to head on in, only to find Agnes in a nest box! Thought McDuck was eating, but saw her away doon the glen with McQuack! Hope she isn’t getting tired of motherhood already?

Perthshire Open Studios application came through, so got registered for it.

I do not think we have the brightest animals in the box! Would give fresh grit and treat sticks to the poultry and cleaned out their sandpit and got fresh sand in and all they did was stand at outside of fence looking through, wondering how to get to it all! Gate wide open and these treats are near said gate! However, tame sheep figured it out and grit went everywhere!

You know you are tired, when trying to eat your Rice Krispies and you’re using a fork instead of a spoon! Whilst eating said Krispies, took a read of latest ‘Your Chickens’ magazine, especially article on Cockerels & aggression. Think I’ll put it in the coop for Bruce to browse over.

German guests arrived.

Tuesday 10th April – Hadn’t gotten up during the night, but tossed n turned a fair bit. Cooler morn and overcast. Up at 6 and pretty much on with jobs, then into Gallery to mount prints.

And looking out to Loch McBasil, there I saw for the first time McQuack swimming on it.

By time midday came, my M.E was playing up and I was exhausted, so time for some time out and snoozed.

McQuack totally disappeared this afternoon, but I saw him returning back up from the river around 5pm. I wonder if he’s messing around on the river with wild ducks whilst McDuck is on the nest?

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Frogs in the Snow …

Up 5.30ish and morning coffee was greeted with fresh snowfall and… I cocked my head to listen again, yes there it was, a Frog calling from the garden pond. Had seen spawn on the pond in the forest yesterday. Last couple of sleepless months must be catching up with me, as took myself back off to bed for an hour.
Back up and was soon faced with the tame sheep stuck in the poultry coop.

Early yesterday evening, McDuck left the coop for a stretch and feed, so that was the opportunity to get it cleaned out etc (I will not have disturbed) and awww, you should see her wee downy nest, am very optimistic and reckon she will be a good mother (Can’t believe thought she was a he and gay), anyhoo, tried discussing things with Alistair, that we need to be organised, nursery, feed etc and he said dinnae be counting the Ducks before they’ve hatched, as he doesn’t think there will be any! As said, I am optimistic!

Aromatherapy oils and bracelet arrived today. I began with wearing ‘inner peace’.

Inner Peace was short lived when I saw the Chucks had decided to wander out up the glen again!! Will be putting wire on the gates ASAP!!!

Spanish in the hoose tonight, apparently St Andrew’s was very cold today.
New stock for gallery due any minute, then tea, am famished!

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Why Did The Chickens Cross The Road …

Joyous news… McDuck was not egg bound and egg no4 is now in the nestbox, so the ole honey trick must have helped? Though, did hear some duck squeals early doors.

Nae so joyous, 2.15am and boing, wide awake!

27th – Duck egg no 5 is in the nesting box. Rain most of day.

28th – And Barclays latest trick is barking and chasing the Collared Doves out of the garden. I don’t ask why!

got a hen egg this morning.

Finally got print order finished and that’ll be 200+ to mount & more to frame when they arrive!

Then it was time to start tackling the Gallery! Big clean down, rearranging, new stock in etc. I WILL be ready for this Easter Weekend!!

Peter called by, good to see him as always and good to talk.

Totally forgot to have my scone on Sunday, so fed it to the Chucks today.

Tame Sheep accidentally ran into back of me today, sore ankle as I type

29th March – early doors was -8c. Got into gallery to continue restyle, so did Barclay, who pinched a felt Haggis and ran amok with it. Wee felt Haggis is no more!

30th March – Good Friday and nae up til 5am. Dad, you’ve been gone 2 months now, how!

How very apt that McDuck begins to sit her 8 eggs today. I am beyond excited

Easter on mine own, so writing it off and working.

Birds of the week have been Wagtails & Woodpeckers, more than last year. The Thrushes have ceased with their territorial calls.

Snow has returned on lower ground.

Took Barclay and I off for a walk in the forest. Wildlife conspicuous by its absence.

Returned home to see the pets running amok! Chickens were out in car park, by time I wrestle Barclay past tame sheep into hoose, chickens were heading up the glen! I had to stop traffic to drive the reluctant little sods back in! Still had walking boots on and am thinking Bruce doesn’t like Red, as he launched full scale attack on them and me!

Late afternoon, snowing again, was having 5 on sofa, all nice and quiet and suddenly Alexa says ‘Sorry I didn’t get that’.

View of the hills

View of Tulloch

View of Boots

View of Muddy Paws!!

Clocks Forward…

Ha, check me out not getting up until the new 7am!! Could have stayed in bed too, but didn’t want to tempt fate, so sprung out with a spring in my step. Felt good, mood was good. Two months today since I rushed down to yorkshire to be at Fathers bedside too.

Battle of the Woodpeckers going on during morning coffee, 3 different ones drumming, Including one near Tulloch gates like last year, so here’s hoping for young ones again

Alistair was in charge of the menagerie today, he caught egg bound McDuck, but McDuck did not projectile as previous days, not until I approached with the Vaseline & Honey & a clingfilm covered hand (Please use your imagination at this point) and I should have removed my engagement ring before this procedure! I wonder how other folk spend their Sunday mornings? Were we the only ones on the planet doing this at the moment in time?? The Ducks where nowhere to be seen for rest of the morning and even Bruce & the hens kept their distance and by now it was only 9.45am!

Full day, but Studio pretty much cleared. New shelving for Gallery arrived, managed to get 2 pieces put together!

And Jim & Audrey visited this afternoon, good to catch up as always and new extension for gallery discussed *exciting*.

An abundance of Wagtails today, which is known as… A Volery of Wagtails.

5pm, after asking Alistair this morning to move some wood he had dumped in the car park, he set to with the chainsaw! I decided to head on indoors.

Tulloch menagerie made on with the extra daylight, fastening up is going to fun from now on.

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Knock on Wood …

23rd March – Woke to hear rainfall, which continued all morning.

McDuck was Egg Bound again, but was NOT going to be caught! Eventually got her and got my second covering of projectile duck poo. Also learnt today was Friday, not Thursday!!

24th March – up at 4am. Eventually got coffee, watched day break, heard Peacocks call. Found a poor Siskin stuck in a bird feeder. McDuck egg bound again, but she sorted herself out today and I just swilled the yard! Hope her managing herself is a sign of improvement??

Began to sort the Gallery out today, obviously long overdue. Several visitors today too, so the plan for tomorrow is to crack on with it!

So, an hour less in bed tonight! Not that will make any difference to me at the moment!
Mon the light nights

And looking out of the guest room window on Friday …

The Nature Diaries

Journal from a wee Scottish Riverbank

Category Archives: Birds