Creag Chomhaidh
tune – Air Braighe Loch Iall

From top of Creag Chomhaidh Loch Ewe can be seen
It’s been many years since up there I’ve been
Not majestic to view in stature not grand
Still in my life a soft spot does command.

The view from the top dictates the whole scene
Poolewe down to Cove and all in between
The landscape all changed in so many ways
Complete transformation the scene now portrays.

Could see the house where saw light of day
Time has moved on what more can one say
Did sit for a while the years to reflect
On a people no more we think back with respect.

The Bard himself when faced with submission
Did climb to the top in a dream had a vision
The view he did picture eased some of the pain
Renewed his belief that freedom would gain.

The war at an end he now had a mission
To climb Creag Chomhaidh this time not in vision
After a while when health was restored
His quest for the summit could not be ignored.

One fine afternoon when time did permit
He climbed to the top his knee hurt a bit
He thanked the ‘Most High’ as he scanned the whole glen
Now felt at ease to put stored words to pen.

Time has marched on Creag Chomhaidh will remain
The Bard has passed on from gloom must refrain
We think of the Bard, Creag Chomhaidh and the glen
His memory lives on through the strength of his pen.

‘The war at an end’ – when the 2nd World War ended, life in and along Loch Ewe slowly returned to what could be called normal. Today although there are more houses and vehicles, life cannot be that different to the world of the 1930s and before. Maybe there aren’t the fishing boats. And there weren’t the tourists then. But ‘life in the slow lane’ continues.
Loch Ewe in war time was so different. Because a German U-boat penetrated Scapa Flow in Orkney and sunk one of the ships, the Royal Oak, in December 1939 that base was felt to be unsafe. So until its defences were strengthened Loch Ewe was chosen as an alternative. Loch Ewe was large and well-sheltered. Its entrance was narrow and it was deep enough for large ships to anchor. Therefore, it was used as a base for the Fleet and as an assembly point for the Arctic Convoys – for those merchant ships which sailed over the most hazardous of seas to reach Russia.
Much has been written recently about the activity in Loch Ewe but in those days of war the area was top-secret. It is difficult to imagine the calm blue waters of the loch with its island, Isle Ewe, in the centre being packed with ships, like sardines in a can. It was said that one could walk across the loch from boat to boat! Look carefully and one can see many remains of wartime buildings, of gun platforms and hut bases. Now the memories of these years are being gathered together – never to be forgotten.
Ian Cameron, the Bard, was a prisoner of war and during his incarceration would think about climbing Creag Chomhaidh and would compose future songs which later he would be able to write and publish.
So did the Bard, when he climbed Creag Chomhaidh once the war was over, look down over the water and remember a world that was once turned upside down?