My wife Susan and I were walking high up on the mountain behind our house in Ardnamurchan.
It is in the western highlands of Scotland, looking out over loch Sunart.
loch Sunart
We were checking our water supply, which is from a strong stream about half way up from the top.
Nobody comes up here except for the few people who live in this remote area, so the water is pristine.
The distillery a few miles away uses water from a similar source due to its purity.
This is one of the blessings of the wild and remote western highlands.
the water supply
We had a very cold swim in this lovely natural pool under the waterfall a few hundred metres upstream.
our swimming pool
Followed by a picnic on the grass next to the pool.
Wonderful fun.
the picnic
BUT, then we found tiny ticks on our legs. Thirty or so on Susan’s bare legs.
We spent many years in Africa and are no stranger to all types of ticks.
The problem is here in this seemingly peaceful place where the red deer roam, they drop ticks.
These local little devils carry Lymes desease, which is no joke and not found in Africa to my knowledge.
They have a friend, the mighty scottish midge, who attacks in great numbers like the highland warriors of old.
So between them they keep us humans at bay and protect their mountains.
protector or the enemy?
However it is all worth it.
Living here is magical, so we have come to terms with the wild.