muirburn

Today saw the Island - or parts of it anyway - under a smokey, muzzy, aromatic haze. It's the time of year for the muirburn - or to give it it's Ghàidhlig name Falaisg. Huge sections of hills are set alight by the crofters, and the air is thick with the smell of burning heather and bracken. Sometimes it becomes out of control, and the fire brigade are called. It's a very old tool that's used to clear away the old stuff to make way for new growth.