Hi I'm George

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

For the last year I've been caring for my elderly father in the Highlands of Scotland, keeping him company and cooking his meals for him. It's been a remarkable phase in my life and I've enjoyed having time to write. To keep my fitness up, I've been doing a bit of gold panning in the hills. Hard work and perfect for staying in some kind of shape.

Here is a picture of the local loch near where I live.

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 2062 Location : UK

Fabulous picture! It looks familiar. Is it near Portgower? I have a similar photo taken in daylight. I'll see if I can find it and post it here.
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

Portgower is just outside Helmsdale, only 11 miles north of here. This is Loch Brora so it looks as if your picture is of the same loch Shocked

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 2062 Location : UK

I have friends in Portgower and stayed in their cottage for a week some years ago. I remember a loch with an island in the middle, where the landowner (a woman) is buried, but I can't recall the name of the place.
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

Yep, that's Loch Brora. You would have driven for around 3 miles along single track road from the A9 to get to it. There is a Celtic Cross on the island where she's buried. It's beautiful up here. Here is another view of the loch, showing the island.

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 2062 Location : UK

Okay, I'll find the photo -- but I'll need to scan it. Then I'll post it here.

Night night for now. See you in the morning. Sleep

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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 2062 Location : UK

Good morning George! Found the photo.

Enjoy your walk! Wink

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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

Yep, that's Loch Brora! It was gorgeous up the hills today, cold but lovely. Not a breath of wind and blue skies all day. Didn't find much gold though! Will have to try further into the hills next week.

Three Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 182

Wow, what a beautiful place. I love Scotch and some day dream of visiting the place. Glad to be here.
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Director: Bauu Institute and Press
Editor: Indigenous People's Issues Today
Publisher: New Great Books Reviewed
Editor: Indigenous Peoples Issues & Resources

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 2062 Location : UK

Hi Gordon,

With a name like that, you should love Scotch (whisky). LOL!

~Shelagh Very Happy

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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Loch Brora Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:52 pm

Hello George...

Those photos are magnificent. The northeastern part of Scotland is one area I did not research when writing Blackgloom. Most of the tale takes place in the south, west and then the island of Rhum. I'll have to see what else Google has on Brora.

JFB

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

It has it's own distillery! Clynelish, a blending Malt. It is available but hard to come by. Don't drink whisky myself Shocked

Subject: Re: Hi I'm George Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:20 am

Hi George,

Your photos are making me homesick - this ex-Liverpudlian lived in Scotland for twenty years. I moved to Yorkshire in October 2000.
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Jenny
Writing as Victoria Howard

www.victoriahoward.co.uk

Four Star Member Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 376

Aw Jenny, am I making you homesick? Shocked

Okay, just for you, here are a few more

Subject: Re: Hi I'm George Tue Jan 15, 2008 1:21 pm

Hi George,

I'm no sure I can forgive you for that...but the photos are fantastic. I lived just outside Keith in the Northeast. At that time I owned a five acre croft. During the twenty years I lived there, I travelled the length and breadth of Scotland - I don't need a map - I could find my way blindfold. I loved the west coast, but it wasn't practical to settle there, hence Keith. I used to buy my woold from the mills in Brora until they closed. I have found memories of Scourie, Loch Laxford, Caithness and Sutherland. In fact my latest book is set on the west coast of Scotland!
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Jenny
Writing as Victoria Howard

www.victoriahoward.co.uk