The Isle of Mull coastline is dramatic and varied and stretches for over 300 miles! We consider ourselves very lucky to live and farm on a corner of it, in the north west – Treshnish has four miles of beautiful Mull coastline, with cliffs, gullies, hills and raised beaches – and Treshnish Point itself, which is a steep and wild bit of coastal heath – in winter it provides valuable foggage for the sheep and in the summer it glows with patches of deep pink Bloody Cranesbill and vibrant quaking Cotton Grass.
This afternoon Farmer was going to put out some new feed blocks and as the sun was shining I decided to go with him. By the time we had loaded the 80kg blocks in the back of the ATV, we were in the middle of a hail shower, but we could see through it, and the sun following behind. The blocks give the ewes a boost of energy, vitamins and minerals steeped in delicious smelling molasses! Alice, one of the bottle fed Cheviots, was keen to get started despite Walter being so close by.
This stretch of Mull coastline from Haunn down to Ulva Ferry and beyond is a National Scenic area, and even on a winters day like today, it is not difficult to see why. The cliffs are wonderfully dramatic and it is largely very unspoilt. Last summer I had one of the best walks of my life along the cliff edges, looking at the wild flowers flourishing in extreme places.
The afternoon light on the Treshnish Isles was stormy and dramatic like the wave of hail showers that came and went while we were out on the Point enjoying the view, followed by nearly a hundred ewes.
Our winter work in the cottages is nearly done, and we have several cottages rented out this week to old and new guests who are enjoying the comfort of the cottages in the middle of the storms.
