After Dornoch we cut inland and struggled into a strong wind for 15 miles to the lonely village of Lairg, where we stopped for tea just as the weather changed. We rode for 40 miles in cloud and occasional drizzle across wild, desolate country almost devoid of trees except for forestry plantations. In time, we descended the now empty valley of Strathnaver, whose Gaelic-speaking people were forcibly evicted by the landowners in the widespread "clearances" of the early 1800s, to make room for sheep grazing. Many of them settled in Canada; hence "Nova Scotia". This felt like a place tinged with sadness and we had grey, brooding weather to match.
Mark.
2 comments:
You are fine form here, Mark: A short but poignant history lesson - with almost poetic delivery. Well done, sir!
(Scotland's beautiful and dramatic landscape can often bring out the best in people, of course!)
Mark....you may have missed your calling mate. I'm sure there may be a National Geographic or Discovery Channel host role in your future! You've all done a fantastic job on this ride...trully inspirational. Devin
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