Daffodils

The evidence that tells us the history of a place like Mingary Castle usually comes from records such as writings and maps, and from the sort of intense archaeological investigations that have taken place here.  But sometimes evidence pops up from unexpected quarters.

The daffodils were in bloom this morning, but not at their best in a brisk westerly which brought showers across the Sound of Mull.  That they stop so suddenly against the hardcore that forms the car park in front of the castle is a reminder that they used to run right across the area in front of the castle, and used to be a wonderful sight at this time of year.

They were planted in 1971 or 72 by the then owner of the Estate and the castle, Mike Thompson, who was a member of the family who owned Thompson Newspapers.  The bulbs came from a horticultural business he owned down in Angus, and were planted for show - though bulbs were planted for commercial reasons elsewhere, such as on Coll. The Thompsons owned the castle from 1968 to 1973.

When the car park was built the bulbs under it weren't lost.  Many were dug up and planted elsewhere on the Estate.

Many thanks to Sue & Dochie Cameron for information about the Thompsons.