Dark river

Yesterday the darkness of Loch Eck under a blue sky; today the dark brown of the River Echaig that flows from the loch into the sea at Holy Loch. We were noticing how the far bank of the river has been built up in the past, presumably to enhance the fishing for those staying at the big house - Benmore. In 1849 John Lamont bought Benmore for £13,000, at a public sale, and a Mr. Baird a city architect, was engaged to build a new mansion on the site of the old building. The purchase included the forest of Benmore, Coir-an-T, and the lands of Cur, with woods, meadows and salmon fishing.

John Lamont returned to Scotland the same year to see how things were going, and having settled his nephew and arranged for him supervising the building, returned to Trinidad where he died in 1850. So he never really saw the mansion finished. After his death it was found that his wealth was much greater than had been surmised.

You can find the rest of the story here.

Shortly after I took this, we came upon a heron standing on the far bank looking thoughtful. It flew off down the river, not fleeing us, but as if on an errand it had just recalled...