January Stormage

The year has definitely started with a shout. And much moaning, whistling and roarage.

Storm Isha hit us two days after the snow had cleared, bringing high winds and torrential rain.

The worst of it came after we went to bed last night with the strong westerly gales whipping around the house and over the roof. The noise at times was incredible.

The winds got to around 70mph in violent gusts. The local weather station clocked winds of 103mph at Elgol, a few miles away on the west coast of the island, and the news has reported 160mph in the Cairngorms on mainland Scotland. There have been deaths. This is serious stuff.

The noise of the storm even scared the cats – it was probably their first ever big storm, thinking about it. Freya wriggled her way up to the top of the bed and crouched on Hugh for a while, then slipped down into the gap between us, where she felt safe, purring until sleep caught up with her.

We lost a slate from the roof in the wind but thankfully nothing more serious. It doesn’t matter that you know that your windows are rated to be safe over 120mph winds or that SIP houses are designed to be strong : the storm is a visceral thing and lying in bed listening to the creaks and bangs of debris or panels being beaten in the wind, I still got the fears.

We have more to come. Tuesday and Wednesday are looking bad too so we shall just batten down the hatches, keep the fire lit and stay safe.

Wishing everyone who has been affected by this storm a more peaceful night tonight, and my hopes that we will all make it through safely.