| A Fine Light |
| The Isle of Lismore, Argyll, Scotland, as seen from the Port of Appin, on extreme right. The island, located in the Inner Hebrides, near Oban and Mull, is the ancestral home of my McCormick and Carmichael ancestors. Many members of those families fought in the Stewarts of Appin Regiment at the Battle of Culloden. My Scottish ancestors came from Lismore to Richmond County (later, Scotland County), NC and, one generation later, migrated to Jefferson County, MS. In the records of the old Presbyterian Church there, the names of many of the Stewart of Appin families can be found, neighbors having moved together, across the sea and across America. -- Nancy |
| A light exists in the Hebrides unlike any other save the golden light of Heaven itself. The photographer, especially one experienced at the craft, can capture and make his own, sights unseen by the rest of the world...like a jewel thief secreting his cache away in the night. -- Robert McSwain |
| Port Ramsay, Lismore |
| The Parish Church was constructed from parts of Lismore's old cathedral, built in the 13th century, which was burned down during the reformation. However, no part of Lismore's first church--that of St. Moluaig's, built in the 6th century--has been found, but probably stood where the church stands today. The churchyard has some fine Medieval tombstones and is said to be the burial place of St. Moluaig, who came to Lismore from Ireland in 562 A.D., with fellow missionary, Columba. Lismore became an important monastic center and that inspires pilgrimages to the site even today. |
| Lighthouse, Lismore |
| Remains of Coeffin Castle, Lismore, built in the 13th century, probably by the MacDougalls of Lorn; name came from a Viking prince, whose sister was said to haunt the castle until her remains were returned to Norway. |
| Rainbow graces the sky over Lismore |
| Port Ramsay, Lismore |
| Lismore comes from the Gaelic "lios-moir" meaning "Great Garden." With its mild climate and fertile soil, the island is blessed with abundant wild flowers and bird life. |
| Monument, Lismore, looking toward Port Appin |
| View of Lismore from Appin |
| Black Isle, Lismore |
| From the Isle of Lismore, looking toward Appin |
| Above, remains of a barn; below, a croft; both on Lismore |
| Lismore |
| Tale of a Thistle Thistle, thistle, tell me life; Across the glen I see your pride. Asleep heather under the snow, I drink your water - river Coe. Under the rocks shimmer the footprints of the past... Where Highland men held their honour, sword iron cast. Thistle, thistle green and purple, Each seed is hidden in our hearts - Ready to flourish high and fast. -- Nat Hall |
| Far frae my hame I wander, but still my thoughts return, To my ain folk ower yonder, in the sheiling by the burn. I see the cozy ingle, and the mist abune the brae; And joy and sadness mingle, as I list some auld-world lay. And it's oh! but I'm longin' for my ain folk, Tho' they be but lowly, puir and plain folk; I am far beyond the sea, but my heart will ever be, At home in dear auld Scotland, wi' my ain folk. O' their absent ane they're telling, the auld folk by the fire; And I mark the swift tears welling, as the ruddy flame leaps high'r. How the mither wad caress me, were I but by her side; Now she prays that Heav'n will bless me, tho' the stormy seas divide. And its oh! but I'm longin' for my ain folk, Tho' they be but lowly, puir and plan folk; I am far beyond the sea, but my heart will ever be At home in dear auld Scotland, wi' my ain folk. -- Traditional Song of Scotland |
| Please don't use the "Send Page" feature of your computer to send this entire page in an e-mail or document format. If you'd like to share it, please just send the link. Nancy The link to this page is: http://www.thepastwhispers.com/A_Fine_Light.html Whispers - Home Old_New_Orleans |