Breachacha

This is Breachacha Castle on the Island of Coll - or rather one of the two Breachacha Castles, that sit close together at the head of Loch Breachacha.

This one - the old one which in parts dates from the 15th century - was restored in the late 1960s by Nicholas and Lavinia MacLean-Bristol who were kind enough to invite me to lunch today. It is a remarkable achievement , done with imagination and flair. Their passion for Hebridean history is demonstrated within it , as well as by his books and researches and by the Society for West Highland & Island Historical Research which he founded ,and still leads, and which needs to be wider known and more utilised by that growing band of people who are interested in their genealogy and in the wider issues of our Scottish past.

The other castle is the "new" one, built around 1750 though much altered in the 19th century and now in the process of restoration by Caroline & Innes Henderson. I was there later on in the afternoon and was again bowled over by the passion and commitment of those who are prepared to recycle (it is the best word) old buildings and make them live again.

I was on the Island of Coll for a surgery and managed to get there , through thick mist, thanks to the amazing flying skills of Julie Angell of Hebridean Airways. But the time I left, though, the cloud had lifted and the journey back to Oban Airport along the Sound of Mull was magical.