Still in the grip

Temperatures are still well below freezing here with minimums ranging from -15C to -10C over the last 4 nights. Snow still lies in the garden, but iron hard now. With bright blue skies and an Alpine calm, it is breathtakingly beautiful.

Merry Christmas to all Followers

Thanks for your company during 2010.

Webcast

The Scots Language Centre have posted a webcast of Lynne reading her 2004 translation into Scots of Beatrix Potter's, 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit'  - The Tale O Peter Kinnen. The reading is taken from the CD recorded by Lynne shortly after the book was published.

It is read quite slowly so those unfamiliar with Scots, but who have a copy of the original book, will be able to follow easily! It can be found here at Scots Language Centre, 4th tab on the picture. Click 'more'.

Dunmaglass update

Multi-millionairess Sigrid Rausing, who owns Coignafearn Estate in the Monadhliath mountains, is seeking a judicial review of Highland Regional Council's decision not to oppose the proposal for a 33 turbine wind farm on neighbouring Dunmaglass Estate. (see post 26 February this year). More than 1500 people and three community councils objected. (Source: Scottish Mountaineer)

The first hearing was scheduled for November although, as yet, I can't find any reports on the proceedings.

World Cup Decision

I'm not a football fan, but my commiserations to any readers of this blog south of the border who are!

It just won't stop

Two days ago and it hasn't really stopped snowing since!

The tracks continued to just beyond the bushes and skis might have been useful thereafter, although ours are narrow competition style (we've never skied competitively) so the benefit would have been marginal.

Anyway, we knew we had a driveway to clear so headed back just as the forecasted bitter east wind started to blow.

We cleared it again yesterday and I'm off to do likewise again. Almost 2ft of snow now in the garden.

If you read this Hugh, I hope you are surviving where you are!

Lendrick Hill

Here you are Martin. Maybe next year! Join you on the top if we are around.

Lendrick Hill 456m from Seamab Hill (taken January 2010)



Saved

More snow

I've just been out to feed the birds - they are desperate - and have measured about a foot of snow in the garden. Looks like 2010 is (almost) going out like it came in. Another 10" to fall today apparently.

Waiting for breakfast



Martin Banfield is stuck (or has been) at Morrisons car park in Perth but I can't even think about popping up to see him. Pity really. Hope you make it home today Martin.



Lammermuir Hills and Highland Perthshire wind turbines

Yesterday I posted good news about sea eagles. Today it's bad news, at least from my perspective. The Duke of Roxburghe has won a seven year battle to establish 48 wind trubines at Fallago Rig in the Lammermuir Hills, south of Edinburgh. He stands to earn £2.5m a year from the project.

There has been fierce local opposition (supported by David Bellamy) to the turbines, but the Scottish Government continues its obsession with on-shore wind farms. I believe the local community are determined to continue the fight against this decision.

In Highland Perthshire 27 wind turbines south of Aberfeldy were recently approved by the Scottish Government, again against local opposition. To add insult to injury, Perth and Kinross Council, who opposed the development, have been handed the bill for the developer's legal costs.

I suspect the people of East Lothian and Highland Perthshire will not forget all this when the Scottish Election takes place next May.

Edit: Don't buy a house in upland Scotland. You won't like what will, in time, arrive on your doorstep.