Friday 01/09/06

This morning started nasty and wet, but it rapidly clears up. Mrs B has her helper in this morning, giving the lady of the house the opportunity to attend to her appointments in the town. At 1.40, we toddle along to An Lanntair for a talk by Jim Hunter (pic 2, on the left) about The MacLeods and the Hebrides. His focus is more on the Skye MacLeods rather than those in the Outer Hebrides. And he is also quite focused on the places where the Skye MacLeods ended up following their eviction from the island. In the Carolinas, they backed the Confederates in the Civil War; many owned slaves. In Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, quite a few turned up from Moidart and the Isle of Eigg (near Mallaig). On return to Scotland, their Gaelic accents were recognised. In northern Manitoba, a MacLeod assimilated with the Cree tribes, and would not see a western doctor about his failing health - this was in the 1980s. No typo there. Talk was a bit boring. Went to Somerfields to help mrs B carry her shopping home. Supper is a very nice carrot and onion stew. After nightfall, the wind picks up to a force 7.