The Fallen~Sparrow~Hawk; Sap Rising

Sap Rising                                       March 5, 2002

From the pier at the Isle of Whithorn you can see five kingdoms the kingdom of Wales; The kingdom of England; The kingdom of Scotland (on which you stand); the kingdom of Ireland and the fifth? Look around, the kingdom of God.

Saint Ninian brought Christianity to Scotland from Ireland through Galloway. Apparently, he travelled centuries ago in Curagha, wood framed boats covered in ox hides made water-proof with grease. The sails were woven wool. Tristan, Maddy’s boyfriend made one and sailed from Brittany around the coast of Ireland west and past Scotland.

The land hereabout was staunchly Presbyterian and had serious run-ins with Charles II. Many talk of the ‘killing times’ when King Charles’ dragoons hunted those most resistant to the Church of England and slaughtered them on the spot. All over Galloway are tombstones to the martyrdom of those killed. Somewhere, hereabout, is a stake to which they tied the dissenters, when the tide came in they drowned.

Roy mentioned the change in fishing over the last few decades which lead to the depletion of trout, flatfish, tarp and basking sharks. From the beam net and trap nets and gill nets the big trawlers use mile-long nets and indiscriminately haul in everything; those fish too small for the table are turned into compost for the land which is mainly acidic.

Free Kirk, those who live in the North of Scotland and on the Isle of Skye. They are fanatic believers who shun mirth, music, drinking and dancing and those who do all of the above. A couple of bender dwellers made their way, on hearsay, to the Doon yesterday from Skye looking for people they might have parity with; John and Magna and their two children. They looked ragged and weary. Bewildering, they reminded me of Wild West frontier folk who might have broken with a wagon trail and gone in search of better land and opportunity. Brett and Alison were impressed with them and also grateful that their kids now had others to play with.