Finding My Way on Skye

I visited two church members this week who are crofters, up towards the north end of Skye.

Their house sits on a hillside: a natural amphitheatre, looking down over one of Skye’s natural harbours, and beyond it views towards Harris and North Uist.  On a sunny April afternoon it was very heaven – they tell me on a lashing winter day, you wonder what insanity has brought you here.  Their 7 hectares or so run up the hill behind the house, and common land beyond. 

April is lambing time.  D and A run about 35 sheep.  Who mainly do a very competent job of producing their lambs out on the hillside.  But the humans keep a watching eye, in case any need a helping hand.  The day before our visit, one clever sheep managed to produce triplets, and they were in the byre, because the lambs are very small and need some help to keep warm.  They were the dinkiest lambs I’ve ever seen, but I’m sure in a few weeks will be as big and strong as the others.

The croft has been in D’s family since it was created.  (I don’t mean as per the Book of Genesis – but the legislation in the 1880s that first gave small tenant-farmers in the Highlands and Islands security of tenure, fair rent and a right to compensation for improvements.)  D and A only took it up a few years ago, after varied and fascinating careers in academia, and in helping the churches engage theologically and pastorally with science and technology.  We had the most fascinating conversation; interspersed with A popping out to check on the progress of some emerging twins.

So, here I am!  Amidst people with deep roots and broad horizons.