Anyone born and raised in the Hebrides raised more than an eyebrow as Storm Eowyn and its 100mph winds was labelled a once in a generation weather event – not least as it made landfall little over 20 years to the day a family of five from my native South Uist perished as they attempted to escape the 120mph plus winds and high tides lashing the island.

The heart-breaking tragedy and exceptionally tight knit community brought out the very best in people as they dealt with the pain and sorrow that followed. Perhaps it was the scale of the loss of life, or that amongst those lost were two young children that hit everyone so profoundly, but the one thing that was in no short supply was gratitude for those who were trying to help.

Fast forward to January 2024 and the idiom that crisis brings out the best of people continues to ring true. Unfortunately, the other, that preparation and planning helps prevent poor performance – doesn’t; for no sooner had the winds begun to subside than the whinging began.

“I know they are busy but …” being the first words uttered before the self-indulgent whine, as anyone unfortunate enough to have caught any of the subsequent radio moan ins would have heard.

Read more

A trip to WH Smith. So this is where we are now is it?

Now it may be that self-reliance and resilience has largely fallen from our collective consciousness as we have unlearnt the basic skills previous generations simply adopted as part and parcel of life. Or it may be that technology and........

© Herald Scotland