A Sad Sight - 2

The last post included a photo by Erskine Beveridge, and it reminded of my first visit to Vallay in 2000. While on the island I explored the sad ruin of Vallay House. It was built in 1902 for Erskine Beveridge, who spent his summers there until his death in 1920. For more info on Beveridge see Chapter 16 of Book 2. My source for Beveridge's history was an interesting booklet by Hugh Walker: The Story of Erskine Beveridge and St Leonard's Works (1991). 

Vallay House in 2000

Main Front Room - Vallay House

Vallay Mad Cow

While island going you'll often encounter docile Highland Cattle, and the occasional angry bull. This fellow was snoozing inside an old burial enclosure on Vallay. I wanted to see inside, so I had to shoo him away. He wasn't too happy about being disturbed. But he did get the last laugh. He left me a big present inside the ruin.