Here we are getting back into the blog. Lots going on since the post below. But more importantly Nationally there has been a bit of a discussion around Conservation V Those that work and live in the countryside (namely Gamekeepers and their employers, the Land Owners that support a Sporting Estate).
So here is a theme I will return too, not much chance of a Capercaillie on Rona but we try to support all aspects of the world I have lived and worked in most of my life, Click onto this link to view my letter to the Strathspey Herald on Capercaillie:
Basking Shark Day
Here a post copied from a post on the 28th of October 2020.
Click on this link to take you to the full post: Basking Sharks Rona 2020
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On July 18th 2006 we went out in the old ‘tin can’, an open aluminium boat we used to own. We were fishing just out the mouth of the harbour and then this Minke Whale came along. It was shortly after L had arrived and she was not used to boats. To say she freaked out is an understatement. When the Minke decided to swim under the boat with his big eye watching us I was a wee bit uncomfortable. But all was ok, he was just being nosey.
He swam around the boat for 30 minutes, in that time he (or she) swam under the boat, around the boat, towards the boat and kept the head out of the water a lot of the time, it was astonishing.
The whale was in sleek condition and there were no marks, scars or damage from boats. Eventually it tired of us and swam away.
At the time I owned a Nikon D50 with a telephoto lens (70-300mm). I had to stand on the gunwale to get the close ups. The weather was pretty flat but very grey.
Since then we’ve seen many Minke Whales, occasional Killer Whales, 1 humpback whale and of course the Sperm Whale which I did not know was a Sperm Whale, I just had an idea it was a Minke in trouble!!! My whale advisor from Portree kept me right and of course never lets me forget it.
Some years are better than others and the North end of Rona is the best place to see whales.
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On the 4th of April, en route to Portree at 7 am in the morning I happened to look back as I was leaving Big Harbour and I saw something in the water. At first I could not quite make up my mind as to what it was, so curiosity got the better of me and I could not believe it when at last I was seeing a stag swimming and I had the ‘good’ camera!!
I turned around and caught up with the stag as it made its way strongly across the mouth of the harbour at the shortest point. I’d seen them on this Island for several years feeding away and had picked up their antlers on occasion from the grassy areas. But had never seen them coming or going. Of course it would be better to have his antlers on but it is late in the year for them and that was what threw me when I first saw him.
Great to have the Nikon D200 but into the very strong light and the camera was set ‘probably’ for sunsets, I can’t remember. Here they are though, better luck next time.
isleofronalog 
oh I have had so much enjoyment watching your web site and blog. I twice visited South Rona in my youth on my annual summer holidays on yachts called Norma, and on Owl in the sixties. It was deserted but we found our way to the lighthouse and were made very welcome by the lighthouse keepers who didn’t see many visitors, and signed the visitors book both times. A magic island with pink cliffs and bog cotton blowing in the wind. Dined on wild rabbit shot by the skipper. The rabbit was tough as old boots and the rhubarb foraged from a long deserted garden was sour. No rhubarb encountered since has been so sour. The church had planks to sit on and there was a sheep skull on the pulpit. It was so sad in the deserted village. You have chosen a lovely place to live but even in this day and age it must be a tough life especially after those gales this winter
I have very fond memories of my visits there.
Sorry to bore you with my reminiscences.