Traigh Mhor
On Scotland’s West coast several places have the name Tràigh Mhòr.
Here on the Isle of Tiree it is the closest beach to our home.
It is translated as the ‘big beach’ – about 4 miles in length.

Traigh Mhor is the big beach that encompasses Gott Bay.
It runs from the Pier Office to the island known as ‘Soa’.
CalMac ferries arrive and depart from Gott Bay.
The pier makes a prominent landmark.

Earlier in the day the MV Clansman berthed at the pier.
It was an impressive sight as she headed out to sea.
Across the water is the munro “Ben More’.
This is the ‘Big Ben’ on the Isle of Mull.
At present it is snow capped.

In late afternoon we parked the car close to the beach.
From Kirkapol we headed towards Brock and Ruaig.
As we did so the sun was sinking in the west.
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It was low tide and the beach reflected the setting sun.
Every so often we would turn and look back westward.
In front some of the beach reminded us of a cake.
The pattern left behind was like a ‘fern cake’.

Across the bay snow capped Ben More was turning pink.
As we walked towards Rubh’ a’ Phuirt Bhig
Ben More was turning an icy blue.
With darkness closing in we decided not to cross over on to ‘Soa’.
Instead we decided to make our way back to our parked car.
Across the bay we could make out the BT Tower at Scarinish.
There was also the flash of light from Scarinish Lighthouse.
How different the township looked from this vantage point.
Indeed! How different the island appeared.

There was an icy chill to the air and we needed to keep walking.
Yet, every so often you wanted to stop and admire the view.
The lighting on the beach was so fascinating.

Where had we parked the car?
By now darkness had engulfed the beach.
In the dark how do you make out your black car?
Thankfully the little light that remained shone through the car windows.
It is great walking along the beach when sky and sea are both blue
It was different walking in November in the late afternoon.
However, it was just as impressive.
It made me think of the words of the song,
“He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.”

This is ‘Life on Tiree’ on yet another sunny November afternoon.
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