A Plan Is Formed
We absolutely loved our brief trip around The Uists.
The Isle of Uist had been on my list for a number of years. I’d really enjoyed watching Monty Halls – Beachcomber Cottage. Several seeds were sown and before long, I had hastily (too hastily) acquired an Ex-Scottish & Southern Land Rover Defender. Shortly after this I was discussing potential expeditions with a young lady over a game of online Scrabble. Wine was involved and one thing led to another. In 2011 my now girlfriend and I were packing ‘Dorothy’ the Landy and starting out for Applecross, in Monty’s footsteps. It wasn’t long before Monty’s Great Hebridean Escape surfaced and we began packing the Land Rover with our camping gear, a few cameras and starting the journey north, ferry tickets tucked in the sunvisor.
We fell in love with every island we visited, each was unique in its own right. Each was so wild, often so remote but always so beautiful in all weathers. The sense of community was evident everywhere we went. When I photographed these deserted South Uist crofts, as you do, I wanted to know their stories. They had been homes once for generations and perhaps some will be again one day. For most, the cost of repair, conversion, far outweighed the cost of building afresh.
The One Croft
Driving in such a beautiful environment can be hazardous, as around every bend is another scene of such breathaking beauty. There was one croft that literally stopped me in my tracks.
It sat alone, atop a raised headland by the shoreline, with these wonderful leading lines created by the streams.
I spent a number of hours studying it and soaking up the various vistas. It was a stunning spot and it was nice to imagine it’s history and the stories it had witnessed.
When I returned it was great to share some of these images on Facebook and to receive such wonderful feedback from the local community, both past and present. To start to understand some of that history, to see the buildings as homes and to imagine them with peat smoke drifting from the chimneys. In a place like South Uist, history is all around, many local families remain. It was wonderful to hear from those who owned the land, those who had visited family there as children on their holidays. Their vivid and fun-filled memories patched the roof, repaired the windows and added colour to the facade.
A single photograph can be a wonderful catalyst for bringing such wonderful memories to the surface. It was a privilege to visit these stunning islands and I can’t wait for an opportunity to go back and explore further. I’ve always dreamed of living in a small cottage, not too far from the sea, a simpler life, a slower pace surrounded by such raw and wonderful nature. I’ll ensure the next time I have more time.
Lots of wonderful info on the South Uist website http://www.southuist.com/
Why wait book yourself a ferry! https://www.calmac.co.uk/
