Almost off the edge part 2

Part 2 of an eventful day After communion there was still another event. The grandson of the last Hirta postman had requested his ashes be scattered on the island. Undeterred by rain and wind we trudged along  the village Main Street, yes, main street, then up a grassy slope to what looked like a giant stone sheep pen. Within this dry-stane circle half-lay, half-stood simple grey headstones relating to past villagers. Sadly many were babies as there had been a long history of infant mortality, partly due to the toxicity of the ground, the use of raw Fulmar oil, and the use of a generally used knife to cut the umbilical cord. These poor children, born healthy, usually died within eight days of birth, with what was known as Lockjaw. Sometimes the mortality was around 30%. A disaster for such a small community, dependent on a continuing supply of fit and healthy individuals, able to climb the cliffs, to kill and gather birds and eggs. Much later a tetanus vaccination would put an end to these terrible events but not before many innocents vanished before they even had a life. After a prayer the urn lid was opened. Nature took over and a sudden film of grey grit wooshed upwards, swirled into the wind and disappeared. We all smiled. Neil Ferguson’s grandson  had his wish. He was well and truly scattered. Not only over the island but probably on top of towering Mullach an Eilean on nearby Boreray which can be seen from several Hebridean islands on a clear day.    Task complete we half-slid, half-walked down a grassy slope and back along the village street where we were met by a flock of Soay sheep, quite unafraid of us, behaving as if we were the intruders, which probably we were. These sheep are special to Hirta, nowhere else, and now run wild. When I say wild two decided to have a fisticuffs in front of me  the sound of their locking horns was loud and scary. They refused to budge which says it all. By now daylight was fading, we were frozen, longing for a hot drink, the chance to be out of the wind and rain. To sit by a warm fire. Time to retreat to the shelter of a house. The smoking chimneys were a welcome sight. Tomorrow would be another day…….