It was beautiful. Tiree, for me, is all the medicine I need. It really is a thin place - literally, too - a gossamer thin strip of land between the waves and the sky. Trouble with all these documentaries is the fear that their otherness is gradually being eroded away, sadly.
I love that phrase "living at walking pace". Will look out for these programmes. However, as someone who has walked in both the Shetlands and Outer Hebrides, I can highly recommend a visit. Both places really get under your skin and the landscapes full of beauty, peace, strength and stillness are wonderful for reflection.
Think you have summed up why I found myself on Stronsay this year. On the ferry from Kirkwall, watching it disappear into the distance behind us, I felt like a weight lifted physically off my shoulders. I didn't go to escape myself, just all of the endless distractions. I don't think you need to travel to find that, but I'm glad I did.
I think you’re right. In a way. Travel seems to be an essential part of searching, of pilgrimage. And though the travelling I do is all around where I already am, it still involves walkings of somewhere around 50 miles. Even on the least walked of weeks. As essential for me as walking form home to the northern seas would be, I reckon.
I envy you your sense of place (and A Sense of Place!) and the closeness and comfort you feel where you live. I will always seek that spirit, and only more as I get older. In the meantime, walking, drawing and words (writing and reading) make those connections I seek.
It was beautiful. Tiree, for me, is all the medicine I need. It really is a thin place - literally, too - a gossamer thin strip of land between the waves and the sky. Trouble with all these documentaries is the fear that their otherness is gradually being eroded away, sadly.
I love that phrase "living at walking pace". Will look out for these programmes. However, as someone who has walked in both the Shetlands and Outer Hebrides, I can highly recommend a visit. Both places really get under your skin and the landscapes full of beauty, peace, strength and stillness are wonderful for reflection.
Otherness, yes. I’m happy with the otherness of where I am. The carrying around of it within me.
Think you have summed up why I found myself on Stronsay this year. On the ferry from Kirkwall, watching it disappear into the distance behind us, I felt like a weight lifted physically off my shoulders. I didn't go to escape myself, just all of the endless distractions. I don't think you need to travel to find that, but I'm glad I did.
I think you’re right. In a way. Travel seems to be an essential part of searching, of pilgrimage. And though the travelling I do is all around where I already am, it still involves walkings of somewhere around 50 miles. Even on the least walked of weeks. As essential for me as walking form home to the northern seas would be, I reckon.
I envy you your sense of place (and A Sense of Place!) and the closeness and comfort you feel where you live. I will always seek that spirit, and only more as I get older. In the meantime, walking, drawing and words (writing and reading) make those connections I seek.
Good to hear from you Sally. And happy to be doing my own walking around as A Sense of Place again.