I put this together last week but did not post so here it is tonight, with a little time, I’ll get there with the posts.

Here’s the Project from the start to almost the finish.

Oops !

There were a few moments when big stones fell out that were a bit dodgy but Ian was full of confidence (or hope).

The Press

We certainly shifted a few tonnes of rubble and bone dry Lime Mortar.

Tight Squeeze

I was convinced we would need Acroprops but Ian again was full of positive confidence.

Interesting Use of Bags of Cement in the Gable!!!!!!

Even when he spotted the Cement bags from the renovation 20 years ago, paper still on them. I can only guess they were rock solid and rather than waste them they were used as fill, who knows.

Cuillin

Ian brought his pup, Cuillin. A great help chewing everything and hiding various bits and pieces, but a good distraction.

Cuillin Helping

This is after the second clear up and ready for rebuilding to sit the lintels on.

Getting There

Nearly ready for framing and plasterboard.

Running Out Of Plaster

It was good to get the first coat of plaster on.

Ran Out

But it used quite a bit and as usual Starskies is 11 watery miles away, well we will get it later this week, we are used to it.

First Load

Every stone hand balled.

Ouch My Back!!

By the time I’d loaded this my back was fairly complaining.

Snowing

We had good weather throughout the slapping, the odd shower but nothing like it could be and the day we decided to repair the window and frames the heavens opened, the wind turned North and snow arrived. As usual the snow  did not lie.

Good Day for Repairing The Window.

It was dry enough in the new workshop and Ian set to to repair the old window. The old sash and case windows need a lot of attention. Sadly lacking these last few years during building.

Getting There

We had some nice Redwood from the build left over and I prepared it for Ian, it had dried out nicely and the window is in and shuttered in an effort to get a dry day to paint them in situ.

Then There’s Mess

Of course there is always the mess after building and stuff just piles up, there is quite a bit of waste for sure in the Building Trade.

Stormy Outside

Since Ian left the weather has changed and the brief spell gave way to wind and rain. But that is not a problem when you are inside with the heating on plastering.

Bombshell

Or doing paperwork looking out of the windows of the New House (Tigh na Creag). On the screen was the link sent to me by the Scottish Gamekeepers Association. Which made for interesting reading. There is a lot of negativity in the Press and Social media about Sporting Estates just now and for the past few years. It is disheartening to read the attacks on the way of life we are lucky to lead. Who knows where it will end. But the Red Deer of Scotland is at threat from those that know not what they do.

Stalking Saturday

Although I am painting a picture of grey bleak days it is not all bad and the odd few hours of sun or starry nights are still happening. The weather has been calm on odd days and any chance to finish our agreed Hind cull is pounced upon.

Dhu Chamas

Our deer are doing very well and provide us with a great resource and contrary to the noises coming out of Scot’ Gov we do not have a problem with them, we enjoy seeing the deer, trees are very hard to grow here and the deer are having no impact on the ones we have. There is a good mix and we have a healthy deer herd. We manage them to suit the Island and have done now for almost 20 years.

End of a Good Day

Always good to enjoy the views when out stalking, late on Saturday night I was enjoying the walk and not too bothered about shooting anything.

Hungry Sheep

We are trying to encourage the wee birdies to our new feeder at ‘Tigh na Creag’ but they are proving elusive, they are hanging about the shed where they have been fed historically. Seems the only thing we encouraged were the sheep, ever resourceful. I have since raised the table.

Last Night Sunday 2nd

And last night a good end to the week.