Berneray

 Friday May 5

We both love the small island of Berneray, the  causeway linking it to North Uist was officially  opened in 1998, only twenty five years ago. A sunny morning showed the scenery at its best, distant mountains, white sand and Caribbean blue sea.

 

The obligatory stop to view the seals hauled out on the dark, backlit rocks, was the only one on the way to the clifftop looking across to Harris and Lewis. 

 

The tide was lower than we've ever seen it. The scurrying waders mere pinpricks on the sand. 

Not much wind, enough to ruffle the porcupine like tufts of marram doing their best to hold the shifting sands together. We lunched enjoying the view.

 

Another favourite road takes us to a dead end where the house being built last year is still unfinished. It's a superb setting and looks like a very desirable dwelling - if it's ever finished. From another nearby lane to a house, there is a view of some rocks where Arctic Terns gather to breed. It isn't possible to get any nearer. A pair of Little Terns sat on the far left.

Our last destination on the island is signposted Borve. It climbs to an extensive area of farmed machair with views south to Uist. It's ploughing, sowing and rolling time.

 

By now, heavy cloud had rolled in, it looked as though someone had turned the light off. There are usually large numbers of small waders enjoying the newly turned over soil, none today. A small flock of Twite led us a merry dance. The first one appeared on a gateway, viewable through the windscreen, the others scattered on the machair. Record shot only.

 

Via Bayhead to pick up my papers, we were earlier home than on previous evenings