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Well, we're only at the beginning of September yet, but it is surprising how the days will slip by, and after October, we'll be ino the first month of winter.

Depending on the weather we would have then, the latter days of the year might not be quite congenial as to the spirit of the person: dark days, with lowering skies , rain, wind snow and frost. As a growing boy, these conditions didn't cause me undue concern as the warmth of a sturdy croft house provided my early years with a felling of comfartable well being, not felt in the same way , I'm sure, by my elders as they attended to the various reqirements peculiar to good husbandry; cold wet and demanding in the different climatic conditions.

The winter night time was the great provider of suitable, and much appreciated relief from the toils of the seniors while the juniors wallowed in the warmth of the kitchen stove while playing all sorts of delightful games at the table or on the fireside rug. The older residents often enjoyed draughts and dominoes. Infact the winters night with the windows well curtained to obstruct the dakness an atmosphere of considerable satisfaction prevailed.

There are now almost six decades since I had the woderful feelings of contentment in the gloomy days of the year. This year, much later, I hope to direct my attention to the art of music, also indulged in in the past days, I speak of, usually performed on the Highland Bagpipes or the practise chanter. I never had the good fortune of aquiring any such a skill, but this winter I am determined to make a start on the intricate process to some proficency on this my native instrument, though usually a more tender age is recommended. Anyway, it is going to be my fireside passtime as the wind howls beyond the gable end. Really, does it matter if the nostalgic appreciation rears up again wheather one is 9 or 90 yrs of age.

As I start to write this blog, I am finding it difficult to grasp what would make it a worthwhile effort?

I often get to thinking of the years gone by, and now I am in the situation that gives me the right to be somewhat of an authority on matters concerning the past. And of course, when I consider former years, I find that it is good policy to make comparison with the present.

When I came into this world, sadly there was a war of immense proportions going on in Europe, and as a result, the whole world was affected. In Tiree we were free from the more frightening aspects of the conflict; but we were expected to do our part as was requird.

The crofting way of life continued though, as it had done for many years before. Each season's work was done with the same regularity; only now the military was an added intrusion on the daily toil: trucks, planes and personell had now to be contended with. The elderly were quite amazed with how their daily life had changed compared with the unflustered past for many years.

Well, it seems to be true that nothing will stay th same always. The island has seriously depouplated; crofting, to a very large extent, is becoming a former provider.

Let's hope that the land doesn't become completely desolate and that the pitcher isn't shattered at the well. Is this not what a wise man came up with long, long ago.

During the last few days we've had a cold and wet bite in the weather. I do hope this is not a prelude, at this early stage, of what to expect in the winter. However, I'm sure that I'm not out of order on saying that it is unseasonal in September which was previously a time for gathering the harvest.

We older generation have a rather unfortunate legacy in being able to recall from the middle of the last centuary. Our stories of halcyon days during sun laden summers and also traditional harvests when at one point the hayfork and the hayrake were the most prominent impliments, doesn't seem to make an impression on the modern day generation.

Somehow I seem to get the idea that the prospect that we are not going to make it with Renewable Energy and that it is going to be a close run race with Nuclear Power, still in the forefront in the demands of governments. Mind you, I have a feeling they don't want to admit that Wind Farms etc. are giving a good run for our money.

Having said this I am aware that it is possible that Nuclear Power could be a part of any development, that being all I will say, with some concern in view of certain problems. But not-with-standing, shall we reduce emissions that cause weather change. Or could I be shinning up the wrong tree???

As winter approaches our thoughts are once again directed to keeping our homes warm which cannot be done, these days, without considerable expense.

My thoughts in view of such consciderations tend to return to the former practises of the populance of the highlands and islands of scotland who dwelt mainly in the old thatched cottages. Such erections are considered by many now-a-days to have been a very basic and exceedingly simple structure only for a some what poverty- stricken tenantry. But on the other hand the very few remaining of these houses are a definate source of interest to visitors and tourists who appear enjoy the the legacy from of bye-gone days .

As already stated keeping warm in the cold weather, in the winter, calls on a large part of our resources.

Now, the solid thatch house, considered to be a somewhat inidequate provider of comforts, I must say, had an obvious advantage over the more up to date urban and suburban buildings. The crofters' abode, which indeed the thatched cottage often was; squat in appearance, and sturdily erected with stone obtained in various ways. The walls were of a double build often with soil in between to provide insullation. The thatch was in itself the most substantial roof covering possible with its a turf base covered with reeds or marram grass. The inmates neither heard the most violent gales or felt the coldest bite of the dark season, while the old fashioned range added to the comfort.

Well, I'm not suggesting that we should return to this way of life, but when someone says that Johnny Highland Man lived at a subsitence level, I am inclined not to agree.