Clashnessie

This house is called Imr Fad (not sure of the spelling) but this is where I would live forever if I could.

It sits on the shores of Clashnessie Bay, Sutherland.

Across the bay I would see Rory's old house where I used to visit with my family as a child. Rory ran the post office in Clashnessie and was one of the "Stoer Fishers". His dogs were black and white collies. My favourite was Mac. Rory used to make us tea. I remember the smell of it stewing on the stove as he forgot it was boiling away. He was too busy talking to my mum. My mum and Rory had a very special friendship. She loved pranking him I always remember his house absolutely filled with hoots of laughter.

My brother called his son Rory. Rory taught my brother to catch rabbits at Culkein Drumbeg. It was disgusting but the very worst bit was coming back to Aunt Mary's to see a score of pelts hanging from the washing line. My brother proudly wore his rabbit waistcoat til he could no longer stand its evil smell. Yuk!

Further round the bay is "Dorothy's house" where my Aunt Elspeth lost her engagement ring. It was an emerald and diamonds. We stayed there once. All I remember was the staircase!!

On the other side of Rory's house live Alastair and Isobel who are in their 90's and the only living part of my past here. Incredible.

On the other side of the bay is Shell Bay. Rory and mum would spend hours there looking for cowries... a pasttime enjoyed by all my family. On this visit I found a cowrie after a very long time searching and sent it to my sister because she knows how special they and the memories of Clashnessie are. She lives in America and would love to be here today! On the way to Shell Bay we pass "the sookie hole". It is a rock worn away by the fierce waves and the water plunges in and out of the gap. It makes an incredible noise - which I have only ever heard here.

And now so many years later, nothing has changed - except Rory is no longer here.

I never had a sad day when I was here.

Happy, happy days.