Memories

There is something both sad and fascinating about a house left to decay and decline , particularly a large one in a prominent place.

I had meant to blip this for a long time but this afternoon's unexpected and clear winter light demanded I did it as soon as I saw it again on my way to Rothesay for a surgery.

This ruin is on the High Road between Ardbeg and Port Bannatyne on the Island of Bute. The image of it on Google Maps Street View shows it still with a roof but now it is entirely open to the elements and all the shuttering on the windows has blown away.

At some stage I presume the site will be sold for modern housing, particularly as it sits in a very beautiful spot with views over to the Argyll & Ayrshire coasts. Then whatever remains of the shell will be be demolished and all the tangible signs of a place where people must have laughed and cried and sung and worked and lived their ordinary and extra ordinary lives will be swept away.

But hopefully it will remain a precious spot in someone's memory.