Hi,

Just back from a busy week up north. With ash cloud spreading over Europe, the A9 and Cal Mac do have their advantages at times! First stop was Balloan Farm for a good social catch up with the MacQueen clan which took place over two days. On Monday night I visited Iain and Maureen MacPherson for the first of my Israel 2011 trip reunions and relived some of the highlights over a pleasant dinner. Tuesday was spent mostly at Balloan which meant a four mile run with resident hound Kissy down to Brin and back between the showers. After a lazy afternoon a few of the clan were gathered for a catch up over dinner. I feel that Balloan has been a 'home from home' for me all of my life and this visit was no different. Thanks again to Iain and Jeanette.

On Wednesday it was off to the ferry at Ullapool. On a fairly bumpy crossing I was sustained by the usual sea sickess pills! The primary reason for visiting the Long Island was to attend my wee pal Shona's marriage to Stewart, but also gave an opportunity to catch up with the Western Isles troops from the Israel trip.

The first person I met coming off the ferry was the bride to be! Yes, a small place indeed.. After lunch at the An Lantarr Centre I was whisked off to North Tolsta to the comfortable manse of my fellow tour leader from Israel, Rev David Campbell. This was my first visit to North Tolsta since 1972. 'Wow!' said David when I told him. 'That was before I was born!' With friends like these.....

After meeting the family over dinner all of the tour group from Israel who hail from the Western isles came 'round for a reunion and exchanged memories, films and audio recordings from the 11 day trip. It was great to catch up again with Cath, Murdo, Morag, Norman, Donella and Calum. In my only photo of Calum he has his eyes closed but I'm sure this was not due to a shortage of coffee that day!!!Only kidding Calum...

Next morning we took a run in the car around the local area and viewed the fantastic main beach plus the smaller Garry beach, taking us right up to the end of the road which was planned to reach Ness when it was Started initially by Leverhulme. The Bridge to Nowhere near the end is quite impressive. Due to having caught a cold I didn't feel up to running along the main beach, however stunning it looked. Quite happy with my photos however.

Next up was a visit to Murdo and Mary Ann Morrison who were on the 2000 Israel trip. Hadn't seen them since, so it was a great pleasure to catch up with them, despite having to take an ear bashing for my seemingly perpetual batchelorhood!

After lunch it was time to say goodbye to the kind hospitality of Elizabeth and David and head for the 'big smoke' of Stornoway and the home of Norman and Donella Campbell. From my experience the suburbia of Stornoway is heated by the urban fuel of the peat stack. The unique experience of the peat fire will be a memory of this trip and there was always a roaring fire on hand in Garden Road. After settling in visitors to the wedding started to arrive from all corners. Caught up with friends old and new and got a great wee informative 'spin' aound the suburbs with Norman. In the evening I sampled the culinery delights of Stornoway in the Boatshed restaurant of the Royal Hotel with my hosts and Marion and Donnie.

Friday was the morning of the wedding and Shona and Stewarts big day. Met up with Stuart (no not the groom, who I'm sure was busy) and took in the Lewis Chessmen: Unmasked Exhibition at Museum Nan Eilean. These pieces are a quite extraordinary example of craftsmanship and I would recommend them to anyone who gets the opportunity to see them as they tour Scotland.

The day was wet but the wedding was not spoiled by it, as far as anyone I met was concerned. They say that 'every picture tells a story,' so I think I'll let the photos tell you about the rest of the day. Congratulations again to Stewart and Shona, as they start out in married life together.

After a visit to the famous Charles MacLeods Butcher Shop, our kind hosts ran me to the ferry where we said our farewells and then joined at least ten of the wedding party for the not too bumpy ride back to Ullapool, followed by a four hours or so trip back to Glasgow.

Thanks to Marion for the half dozen or so pics I have swapped with her and added to the photo collection for the trip. I think there will be further additions when other photos surface! Hope you enjoy them.

Take care

Murdo