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My apologies for being so long in making a further blog. my last was 12/4/05- my computer then boke down- my new machine! And though I have a "note-book" with which I am as yet unacquainted I have, therfore, endured a little setback in my blogging. I am aware that regular postings would be best policy.

Anyway, my last blog was about the Tiree legend: "The Giants Chip", with comment duly made by:"GIANT MAN FROM STAFFA" who made it quite clear that my little story was nothing compared to:"The Story of Fingal's Cave", correct "GIANT MAN", that one is a classic.

However, the ultimate fact is, that these
stories are of the utmost importance whether they appear to be of little worth,and only have local significence,or on the other hand have more of an international appeal.

Unfortunately the ground swell of stories such as referred to have disappeared from their localities where once even little children gasped in wonder as the story tellers got into the swing of things.

GIANT MAN,I sincerely hope you get this along ith my apprecation. My apologies for the delay in replying.

In my latest blogs I touched on some traditional tales peculiar to Tiree as regads giants and stones.

Ufortunately I have very few stories of this ancient genere as, indeed, few remain amongst the local population. We therefore miss to a large measure the old oral tradition of the community.

Anyway, we all know that the Norsemen were bold seafarers but terrifying plunderers all over the coast of Britain, and were definately felt to the extreme on the west coast of scotland.

Well, it so happened that it was harvest time on the Island of Tiree, and in the part with which we are concerned, the good people worked contentdly procuring their beautiful ripe corn. They had for the time being become lax regarding the terror of the past.

As they happily strove without concern, they suddenly realised that the invader had appeared from nowhere, and was upon them. Quickly some stalwarts stole away to the dun to obtain the arms stored there.

But, meantime, the harvesters required to defend themselves. So, still without the wepons, they quickly reverted to using the sheaves. they set to with a will leathering the enemy with such valour that they were completely overcome and defeated.

Ever since then there remains a gaelic expression in Tiree, and translated is as such:
"A Norseman with a corn sheaf stuck in his gob to the tie band"

In recent times much has been said about Climate Change and Global Warming, and all that is attached to these natural problems.

Wind Farms were at one point considered to be the final solution to the enviornmental difficulties of pollution which endangers us now, and also into the future.

As regards Wind Farms, there was an alarming hue and cry:They were too expensive they said; too much noise...; an eyesore said others; a tourist deterrent and destructive to nature,especially birds. And the last being the harm which causes me personally most concern, if true.

Maybe it is also true that if turbines were properly situated, this danger could be to a large extent avoided.

Not so long ago we looked on Wave Power as being a good subsitute for Wind Power. But then,it was at a fairly early stage of development. The headlines tell us now,that its future potential has progressed considerably.

Though this form of power was at first mainly a Scottish initative; it looks now as if foreign enterprise may be in for the final credit.

Is it then possible that the excessive erecting of Wind Farms might lessen. This being the case, surely the sceptics will remain silent.