The Tobermory Fireworks are a lovely way to say goodbye to the old year and bring in the new year! Last night, we drove up to Tobermory and arrived at about 11.50pm, with loudspeakers blaring out the Proclaimers we walked along the sea front. Everyone congregates around the Clock and the seconds are counted down to midnight when the bells ring. Once the bells are finished the fireworks display begins creating a energetic and exciting start to the New Year. Saying Happy New Year to everyone around you, with a hand shake and a kiss on one cheek is traditional, and creates a warm glow!
Aurora Borealis
We drove home under the stars, watching the sky to the north for signs of the Aurora Borealis – as I always do on a clear night, just in case. We stopped at the top of the hill before Dervaig and there was a glow! When I got home I captured this on camera. I could see the glow but not the colour. I think catching an aurora on camera (or better still with the naked eye) has to be my favourite way of saying goodbye to the old year and seeing in the new year! The aurora displays have not been as exciting this winter – so far, so perhaps this heralds the start of a new aurora season.. time will tell!
New Year’s Day
Farmer’s day is the same today as any day – it is winter and therefore there are animals to feed. He headed out to feed the sheep and I went back to Tobermory to collect the teenager from a party. A day of sunshine and showers, and a refreshing wind. After a late brunch we headed out to walk along the coast. The New Year’s Day walk and very refreshing it was too! The Treshnish Isles looked statuesque as waves rolled in gently on the northerly wind.
It was an easy walk out to Port Haunn with the wind behind us. We walked beyond to the good otter spotting pools but the tide was a little high and we didn’t see any. We sat out of the wind and enjoyed the light and the prospects for a good new year ahead. There was time to make friends with Jan too.
Walking back was more of a battle, into the wind, but the light was dramatic and we had tea and Christmas cake to refresh us when we got home.
There is increasingly more for visitors to the island to do at Hogmanay. Last night, as well as the Tobermory Fireworks, you could have chosen to go to either a ceilidh in Craignure or Salen, and tonight, the 1st, the village hall in Dervaig is hosting its annual New Year’s Dance – with a great ceilidh band called Ho-Ro playing.
