In the last week, four gales have battered the Ardnamurchan peninsula, the strongest, last night, being described by locals as the worst the area has experienced in ten years, with winds peaking at force 9. The storm was at its height between one and three this morning, so by the time I went down to the castle the weather was clearing - which didn't prevent a heavy hail shower from turning the ground white.
Despite the appalling weather, building work has continued apace, and not a pole nor a board has moved in the huge network of scaffolding that envelopes the castle - though sharp observers may have noticed that the bright red plastic rubbish chute has disappeared from the front of the building, not because of the gales but....
....because it's been moved into the eastern end of the north range, as rubble coming down from the cleaning of the walls will shortly be able to be taken out through the courtyard.
Despite continuing fierce gusts of wind, I was able to climb the scaffolding to get some views of the surrounding coast. This view looks eastwards towards the mouth of Loch Sunart, with the point called Maclean's Nose in the left distance.
Work is winding down for the Christmas break - which will be greatly appreciated as most of the men are housed in caravans, and trying to get some sleep in a caravan in a force 9 isn't much fun. Builder
John-Paul Ashley (centre) is seen with the last of his workers, who finish tomorrow: John O'Neil, left, and Iain MacPhail, right. Here's wishing the lads a very happy, enjoyable, and well-deserved holiday - and we look forward to seeing them back here on 6th January.
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