2015 a Year in Review...

2015 a year in review!

Happy New Year!! We wish you a healthy, happy, safe and prosperous 2016.

A second year has passed since the devastating fire, our time we feel to reflect on what has been happening here on the croft! I think we progress more than we think we do, especially when we look at the photographs! 

January 2015 saw an inundation of water and our first New Year on the croft saw us digging drainage ditches to direct the water away from the fields. Kapitein dug nearly 40 metres, my small offering (although the ditch I was digging was much wider) achieved 2.5 metres, but every little helps so they say. With high winds and more rain forecast I suspect I could be digging some more in the next day or two.

We also celebrated Burns Night in traditional style with Haggis, neeps and tatties (turnip and potatoes) washed down with wonderful 16 year old Jura Whisky, yummy...

Our own wee waterfall

Haggis Neeps and Tatties

     






February saw completion of the foundations for my work shed and shop, Kapitein managed to lay breeze blocks all through January and early February to give a sound frame for the concrete to be poured.

Ross pouring concrete - it even snowed!    

     

Raking the concrete.

The Shed duly arrived (albeit 5 days earlier than expected) and building commenced that very day. It took just a few hours to get the main frame of the shed constructed - a bit like putting together some over-sized jigsaw. 

 Mid construction - windows in and doors to be installed and the roof of course!       When the shed was fully constructed, we changed the roof - just to make sure there wasn't any leakage! Then we sprayed the wood to protect it as far as possible from the inclement weather. It is a super place to work and we have even had one lovely visitor who came on a knitting course stated on her next visit she is going to bring her sleeping bag!! Rae, you will be more than welcome and you will be nice and snug amongst the wool too...

Initially access was via steps, but a short while later we were able to install a more 'user friendly' access which works a treat.

Easter and the shop was open for business stocked with many different hand knitted items I had made during the winter months. I was also assisted by several local hand knitters who have worked tirelessly to help me rebuild my stock levels. And this year for the first time, we produced our very own home grown and Skye woven tweed. 

This has proved hugely popular with handbags, hip flasks and waistcoats sent worldwide. All thanks to our wonderful flock of Hebridean sheep!

All stocked and ready to go and with a knitting area too.

Also during April and lambing was in full flow, the Hebrideans and Black Cheviots producing some wonderful lambs – with proud fathers watching on, we could not have wished for anything better. Albeit we did have bleary eyes! Up before the larks and still checking the girl’s way past midnight – all in a day’s work for us.We had an extra special girly this year, here she is with the hens who I am sure believe they are indeed sheep! 

May and the weather did improve! If only for a few days but a welcome break none the less.

This gave the opportunity for the 'boys' to be out and about on the bunds where there was grass in abundance. The 'Big Fella' is always up for a photograph. He is such a handsome chap.

This is 'Big Laddy' The Black Cheviot tup and 'Skyefall (our pedigree Hebridean tup) both lambs are still the best of friends and follow each other everywhere. And get into great mischief whereever they can. They became the best escapologists of all... But always happy to go back with the others, especially when encouraged with food!!

June, July and August and we were busy, busy busy in the workshop. We have had some delightful visitors here to the croft from all corners of the globe. Everyone has been delighted in being able to get up close to our sheep as ultimately everything I make comes from their fleeces. The wool, the knitted products and of course the tweed. You can’t get better provenance than this, especially when you can touch next year’s wool as it grows on the back of the sheep.We have met some wonderful people, one lady who visited with her husband and who has been following the blog. She asked if the Electricity supply was sorted! I realised then I hadn't been updating the blog! So we took the time to show her our progress. I was thrilled to meet her and hope to welcome her and many, many others back again this year too. 

In-between working in my shop, knitting, sewing and designing knitwear both Kapitein and I have been working at Dunvegan Castle. Kapitein – as a fully qualified commercial Skipper worked on the seal boats, taking visitors out to view in excess of 300 native common seals. Whilst I worked within Dunvegan Castle as a tour guide. This was a welcome break from all things sheep and I had the privilege of working within a superb team and of course I met some fantastic visitors here on Skye.

  

Late summer is the show season for most of Scotland which for us started with Dunvegan show closely followed by Portree Agricultural show. My flock of sheep received a very warm welcome and won first prizes in both shows. I am especially proud of my Hebrideans which won reserve champion at Portree. I was privileged and honoured to be awarded a plaque which is on display in my shop. I am permitted to keep the trophy for one year – until the Portree Agricultural Show in August 2016. Who knows who will win it this time, we will have to wait and see.

Here I am for the very first time in a show ring at Dunvegan show with these my two wonderful Black Cheviot Shearlings Harry Hotspur and Ralph Percy (pronounced Raaf Porcy) Ive got Harry and the wonderful gentleman in front of me is handling Ralph. I am especially grateful to everyone who helped and supported me that day. Especially to Magnus (sheep handler extraordinaire) and Kenna (official photographer) the guys in and around the show ring and the huge support from my colleagues at Dunvegan Castle, this was a very, very special day indeed - thank you to one and all.

And there is more… Whilst Kapiten and I were working we had the Bernisdale Boys back. DJ arrived with the even bigger digger and set too building the much needed sea defences down on the shore.

 One balmy summer evening, I was taking in the remaining view just before sunset when a sheep came to the garden gate. I had to let him in!!

How could I resist!! He has become so popular, a very special artist, Linda Foster has painted a wonderful portrait of the Big Fella, she has really captured the likeness and her style of painting is just wonderful. The print is available on our website on the page listed 'Big Fella'. Watch this space for more 'Big Fella' merchandise this coming spring.

Autumn & Winter DJ also dug out the foundations for our Agricultural Shed – a must have before the winter set in. Progress has been ongoing and as I write, the last stages are underway with the preparation for the concrete flooring which should be poured on this Thursday. Fingers crossed. x

The very beginning of the shed build we were once again helped by a fantastic band of folk. Stephen (my son-in-law) aka the Mechanic (little miss no no gladly kept everyone going with teas and coffees!!) General 'Dogs Body', I am sure you will get to know more of him as time goes on! Brian, Salty - not quite a 'sea dog' as he's in training, John the very, very professional Bernisdale Boy, Andrew, Gerry and of course Kapitein. I am immensely proud of all of them and hey voila we have a shed!

If you ever see any of the above team and especially John - the Bernisdale Boy, just don't mention the roller shutter door! If you do, ask him where the digger was!!

John went out on a high, as he has since changed jobs (no I don't think that it was the building of the shed that 'finished him'!!) He has moved on to pastures new and we wish him every success with his new endeavours. He has been with us since the start here on the croft and without him, we know we would not be as far forward with our plans as we are, a truly great guy - 'Kettle's always on John'!! 

But he has left us in very capable hands and in the photo is Ali from Sconsor with the sub base going down in preparation for the shuttering (its all technical stuff - or so they tell me).

Just in time for the last day on the Seal boats Kapitein’s kilt arrived all the way from Edinburgh. A hand-sewn kilt made by GordonNicolson Kiltmakers especially for Trevor from our own Tattersall tweed. He is also wearing his traditionally hand knitted, (and designed and knitted by me) in our Hebridean yarn, Colonsay Gansey and matching Hebridean Kilt socks. I think he looks fantastic…

Watch this space for further collaborative work with Gordon in the future here on the croft!

The kilt is just amazing to see - we have sufficient material to make just 2 more so if you're interested, do get in touch with us or pop along to the croft to see the orginial for your self.

We celebrated our second Christmas here in the caravan. We had the obligatory storm just prior to Christmas Eve, including snow – it didn’t stay, but on the day it was calm and we even saw the sunshine too. 

It’s that time of the year where we wait to see a wee bit of the 'white stuff' and we found some on our journey travelling to Fort William over the hill at Glengarry saw more than a light covering of snow – truly lovely…

I have hardly touched on the immense 'goings on' down on the croft. But for more catch-ups we had a dedicated Facebook page where you can find out news, offers, courses and this is where we upload our video's too.

And last, but by no means least, we would just like to say a huge thank you to all of you who have supported our endeavours, either by working with us, just visiting, shopping with us, participating in courses and the ' In Stitches' ladies who just make life worth living, it has been truly amazing to meet everyone.  

Happy knitting and 'woolly crafting' wherever you are. Until next time...

Ganseys. Kapitein, Danger Mouse and Gavalus Gavalar...

Goodness me!! Where to begin!!
Poor Kapitein has been a wee bit neglected of late. I have been so busy here at the Homestead, I think I saw him the other day, well, I think it was him busying away in the inner sanctum. His beard and other things are nearly down to his knees it's been so long... 
I decided to check out the sheep shearing equipment, ahead of this years annual clip,  so I dragged him out and set about the task of shearing Kapitein, with very good results apart from the nose hair which is very very difficult given the size of the comb on the shearer. Kapitein isn't like a Hebridean sheep (which fights to it's last breath) he is more compliant, though not entirely. Despite the look of terror in his eyes, a couple of elastoplasts later and the nose hair had been successfully trimmed to an acceptable length, this allows him to appear in public again without frightening any of the tourists that have now descended on the island.

Kapitein has also resumed scraping 'barnacles' off his bottom - it is amazing what he is inspired to do when the sun shines! He needed industrial machinery this time as tentative scratching at his bottom had little effect.  He did change his appearance somewhat whilst he worked, sporting a nice shade of royal blue on his bonce! - this was just in case anyone recognised him, as it isn't every day you see folk scraping their bottom with a sander now is it!! Then to my amazement, he started polishing his sides, buffing so furiously his arms ached, I've never seen someone buff with such vigour. I tempted him in for some sustenance - after his complexion became a deep red, then had the onerous task of encouraging him to remove his hair dye, it took more than a little gentle persuasion, I can tell you as I think he quite liked it. But with the offer of tripping the light fantastic at the Ceilidh later in the evening, thank goodness, he gave in. Kapitein did do some dancing at the Ceilidh.
The Ceilidh raised in excess of £400.00 for the Marie Curie Cancer Care fund. Well done to Hollie for organising things.    

I have been off island to catch up with all things 'mainland'  but, latterly  when I go off, the ferry seems to be cancelled when I am due to return- the occasional high winds of over 50 knots does hamper berthing here on Colonsay. (No! I'm not the jinx - honest!) However, my last trip, I had to make alternative arrangements to get back home - namely flying back on the Saturday morning Scholar flight. I did bring with me a very special person. She informed me she was a nervous flyer, and with winds of over 30 knots, I was a little apprehensive to say the least as to how she would cope with the wee bumps you can experience whilst flying. However, all of her fears - and mine, were allayed as Hebridean Air Services pilot, Alan - the veteran boy racer of the flying world, brought us safely to Colonsay unfettered. A fantastic flying experience, especially as we flew over Balnahard and Kiloran Bay, before a flawless landing. It never ceases to amaze me how our wonderful pilots, Julie, Sebastian and Alan make one feel so safe. Its well worth coming to Colonsay, just to fly here.

Anyway, I digress.
Pretty Miranda came to knit the Colonsay Gansey. And knit she did... She also is just as enthralled with our wonderful wee island as we are, including meeting the sheep (who did the honours of allowing her up close and personal on several occasions) The Big Fella, was extremely taken with Pretty Miranda, I think we could have spent hours preening and stroking the sheep. But, we had knitting to do. 
Pretty Miranda was also introduced to 'May's Sugary Wonders and Gavalus Gavalar's fine coffee - with a wee spot of lunch too. The Pantry is a wonderful place where everyone makes visitors to our island feel SO welcome.
It was a pleasure teaching Pretty Miranda - we mused over tales of 'Call the Midwife' amongst all things 5 needles and motifs. And we munched our way through a veritable profusion of goodies.
Her journey home, to Cumbria was better than expected, as she travelled through tunnels of snow to arrive home safe and well...  We look forward to seeing completed, her traditionally knitted Colonsay Gansey in the near future (no pressure there then!) 

Kapitein and I have been in regular contact with Danger Mouse the Lonely Shepherd, who is currently on a major mission in Kintyre, tending to sheep, cows and all things agricultural. With the recent snow storms, he reported that the drifts were in excess of 60ft! He was without power for 5 days and informed us he was heating his remaining tin of beans on the dying embers of his last log, washed down with the last dregs of his home brew.
As the snow fell, the following morning, Danger Mouse opened his back door to find a huge drift! Not a good sign, and with 420 sheep out on the hill this was a worrying time.
The last we heard, only 71 sheep had been found alive and with lambing due to start, this will have a major impact for the foreseeable future. 
Like everyone else in Kintyre, Arran and the surrounding area, the snow brought havoc to their daily lives. Local stores and even Tesco had run out of food! 
So we do hope that Danger Mouse will be ok. We will keep you posted...


The Pantry had a very, very special, high speed delivery this week.
Gavalus Gavalar has been inspired, and started the 'Fresh Fish Wednesday'. With delightful hand cut chips. But oh dear, there was a misshap!
The fresh fish was delivered to the courier, but someone, somewhere, forgot to put it on the boat! With 36 hungry mouths to feed, what was to do! Well, the courier decided to charter a rib from Coastal Connection and the fresh fish was duly delivered to the Pantry and Gavalus Gavalar was able to deliver his much sought after fresh fish on time. Now that's what I call service. 
Gavalus Gavalar has also 'refined' his menu.  Kapitein and I decided to have a take-away. I was offered battered local Langoustine rather than scampi. I couldn't stop salivating, before, during and after this wonderful meal - topped off with hand cut chips and wonderful home made coleslaw... Mmnn, delicious. Well done Gavalus, this is a 'must have' for all those discerning diners currently here on Colonsay.

Beautiful Beltane - without a hitch...

I was up at 3 am this morning and headed out to lay past ghosts to rest, which of course was to participate in this year’s Gaelic festival of fire, Beltane (Bealltainn), all part of our wee islands Festival of Spring activities.

I met with Eskie senior (junior was there to meet me too, but didn’t join us for the torch lighting) so off we went yomping towards Dun Eibhinn Fort.       

We took with us coffee, biscuits, (a must for any discerning walkers) torches, fire beater (you just never know when you may need a beater on this island) water and sand. The latter equipment was more of a just in case, so we could light our torch in the sure knowledge that ALL health and safety needs were met (to satiate the needs of the sceptics amongst us) and as responsible adults (which we are) any ‘just in case’ scenario’s.

04.15 hrs, lighting up time, with the aid of swan vesta matches we eventually lit our custom made torch. Fantastic...

We looked all around us and across towards Dun Ghallain, Beinn nan Gudairean and Balerominmore to see some of the other torches. It was delightful to see and hailed in the summer with traditional Gaelic style.

We watched the sun rise over Beinn nan Gudairean on this perfect morning and looked down at Scalasaig, where LOTI was berthed ready for her early departure to Oban.  Truly magnificent.

Looking down at Scalasaig - LOTI all in lights

Sunrise over Beinn nan Gudairean

Eskie and I enjoyed our coffee, and as the sun rose up over the hills, we checked our torch, which had burned out (and cooled down) before packing it away then headed back down towards Scalasaig. At this point, bacon sandwiches would have been wonderful (it never ceases to amaze me why bacon sandwiches pervade all thoughts when one is up with the larks) only, Gavalus Gavalar had declined the offer to open this time. Such a shame Gavalus, you would have had quite a bit of custom from us hungry revellers.

A memorable morning, for all of the right reasons! I look forward with great anticipation, to next year’s event.

So, what else has been happening...

Our lambing has been hugely successful this year. We started on 16^th April and our last expected lamb arrived yesterday. We have been blessed with lovely sunny weather so the wee ones can grow strong. They have the most wonderful fleeces, just like Ewan (the Tup) I can hardly wait until shearing next year as I think we may have pure black fleeces. But if their current antics are anything to go by, these ‘spring loaded’ lambs gambolling across the in-by fields may take a bit of catching!! As it happens, we don’t use a dog with our flock; therefore they are very tolerant, even allowing us up close and personal with their offspring. What more could a budding shepherdess wish for.

Food!!

We like food, any type of food, so when a fishing boat came into Scalasaig a few days ago, I decided to be presumptuous and ask if I could buy some fish. An undisclosed amount of money changed hands and I came away with several large Languistine, 4 whiting and 2 large cod. This puts healthy eating back on the agenda, and we thoroughly enjoyed our booty, so thanks lads, and we hope to see you again very soon.

Mmmnnn...

Our first international shipment of a Gansey was dispatched to Australia last week. The recipient is absolutely delighted with their package. They commented:

 ‘The patterning is beautiful, but probably what impressed me most straight away was the wool itself – the springiness and the colour. With the autumn sun (he is in Australia) slanting across it seems to light up with all sorts of green and blue flecks’.

I must agree with him as, in my opinion, the wool is the softest 5-ply I have ever worked with and the rich chocolate brown (with hues of purple, green and blue) is just superb.

He also went on to say:

‘It is very dark, with more of that scrunchy springiness than you find in mainstream wool’

Our wool is available on our website, try it for yourself and be prepared to be amazed.

And finally...

We have new retail outlets for our products!

Oban Airport and The Pantry in Oban are selling our products. Pop in to either venue, they will be more than glad to help.

There is a lot more to report, but I will save that for a rainy day!

A lovely sunny morning...

Up, not quite with the starlings this morning. Why is it, we don't go to bed the same day we got up? I think this may be a family trait, or is it because we just don't want to miss a moment on our Island at the Edge?
The sun is shining, with little wind - what a wonderful day...

Was very, very busy last night getting the design work done for some new knitted products, a pair of wrist warmers, the pattern taken from traditional Gansey designs. The Kapitein was intrigued, wondering if he could have a 'single' gauntlet as a willy warmer for Christmas! I did explain I would have to alter the design somewhat to make it slightly smaller, a few nip and tucks here and there - he was not amused. Albeit, it would match his crochet underpants that I have made from course Hebridean wool as a surprise gift.  He even tried his hand at knitting the odd stitch or two, dropping loops, with a willy warmer in mind... I think the Kapitein should stick to all things nautical from now on, but we may have him a knitter soon me thinks, if he can be prised away from the helm. 

Doing some household chores, I came across a painting, produced by Peggy Sue, of a 10 legged and 3 headed sheep, very colourful, but I am not sure if the 'public' are ready to see an exhibition of her art work just yet! So best she is kept a secret, yet, I ask myself, what on earth will she produce on her next visit.

Gavalus Gavalar had live music on at the Pantry last night, will pop down later after taking Sampster and Wolfie out for their morning constitutional, as the need for a Banana Milkshake and home made cake is overwhelming, so will hear all about it no doubt.

The dogs have become very vocal and the Kapitein is champing at the bit to be outside so off for the morning commute before work - listing forward orders of our superb Hebridean Lamb in preparation for the next Islay trip.