West Word - January 2026

As usual January has felt like the long slog out of Winter and into Spring. The breaks between the weather have been surprisingly fresh and bright; the recent days of sunshine have given the ground a chance to dry out and have kick started all the bulbs to make a break for freedom. Green shoots are popping through the ground, snowdrops are out and narcissus are making their appearance. 

The days are creeping longer and longer too but it is still gloomy and dark if there is low cloud. When it’s sunny though, it is glorious! There has been frustration from the Dark Skies team….biggest aurora for ages but Canna had cloud cover. It did clear a little in the end and we saw some of it. 

Last night we had a big bonfire to celebrate Jeannie’s 1st birthday. There were sparklers, bread sticks, biscuits and a cake in the shape of a frog as well as a few tipples. Nathan trialled a hollowed out log to toast goodies and light the sparklers. It worked really well and meant we didn’t have to brave going near the big fire. 

The farm had another surprise calf born in the past week - a wee Beltie with two black spots on its belt. Some of the sheep have been misbehaving and not being where they should be. Many expletives have been uttered but nothing a shaken bag of feed won’t sort out. 

January is also the time when we get a lot of regular contractors out to the island. Electrics checked and fitted (Gerry delighted she now has lights and sockets in the new lambing shed and I’ve got extra sockets in my office for meetings) and flooring laid with new carpets and lino being installed in various houses. It seems to have spurred on an island wide clear out of things no longer needed so there have been furniture swaps, houseplants finding new homes and paint brushes being wielded sprucing up rooms ahead of Spring.