Frost and snow are meant to be rare on the Isle of Tiree.
Yet this year, 2018, it is as if the abnormal has become the normal.
In the past seven days we have seen lochens frozen and the Machair turn white.

More often than not both sunrise and sunset have been hidden from view.
An apt description of the daytime sky might be black and blue.
Within moments a blue sky can turn jet black.

Contrary to expectation snow has not been distributed equally.
The West has experienced more snow than the East.
Remember! Tiree is only 11 miles long!

On Tuesday evening the snow was covering the road in Heylipol.
In contrast from Baugh eastwards there was no snow.
West is best when it comes to snowfall.

There have been calm moments.
However squalls laden with hail and snow have been frequent.
On Sunday afternoon we experienced such a squall when out walking.

In moments the land and seascape were transformed.
We took shelter in the lee of the Pier Office.
It was wild weather!

Opposite us palm trees were at the mercy of the wind.
Rapidly the marshalling lanes were changing colour.
It was now a snowy scene on the MacLennan Motor’s Lorry.

It was a wise decision to cut our walk short.
The best view of the wild weather was from indoors.

On Monday morning we drew back the curtains to a white world.
Compared to the Mainland and neighbouring islands it is a sprinkling.
At first the sky was light, even bright, but soon threatening dark clouds drew close.

While the going was good a walk to the Noust was in order.
It was good to see the progress made preparing for the build of the St Ayles Skiff.
All of a sudden the sound of another squall could be heard swirling around the Noust.

The kit for building the skiff had been delivered early in the day.
Hastily the kit had to be brought into the Noust.
Another landmark has been reached.

As quickly as the squall had arrived it passed over.
Now was the time to make a dish for home.
Naturally via the Pier!

At the pier in Scarinish the drama of the occasion was evident.
The inner waters of the bay were under blue sky.
The outer waters were under an inky sky.
This is ‘Life-on-Tiree’.