The Stream

tune – Air m’uilin’s mi’nam aonar

Oft times I walk the Woodland Way it leads on to the stream
As I walk I reminisce of bygone years I dream
In my mind I picture the scenes of yesterday
And if my chance I’m not alone my thoughts I do convey.

Looking north across the stream beyond the dry stone wall
Stands Torran Gorm with memories I often do recall
I think of many happy times and yes sad times too
And though the years have flown in haste my thoughts return anew.

Although we left the family home a new life to begin
Oft times we’d call to cross the stream to where our steps
had been
A welcome always waiting in dear old Torran Gorm
The kettle seldom off the boil be it late or early morn.

Although no more the Woodland Way now the Pinewood Trail
But for me the Woodland way always will prevail
And when I walk along the path I glance across the bay
Before I pause beside the stream at the bottom of the brae.

Well do I remember the hen house in the wood
And how we’d have to cross the stream to get to where it
stood
My mother dear I see her still recall her words that day
As we stood beside the peaty stream down by the Woodland Way.

For many generations now natures course it did obey
Surmounting many obstacles to reach the Woodland Way
I clearly do remember my mother’s words to me
This stream will still be flowing free when we no more will be

Hector’s Woodland Way is now called The Pinewood Trail. It is part of Inverewe Garden’s woodland property and it makes a good walk from the garden, across the main road, and once in the woodland area you can either turn left and climb steps to gain the main wood or walk straight ahead. Then it’s a right turn and the path will take you down to the steam. This is easy to miss because the views across the meadows and up into the trees are compelling. Torran Gorm is ‘the green knoll’. Can you find this? Hector reminds us to look to our right when we’re on the path because the sea bay can be glimpsed.
Many of us have such memories of our childhood – streams we crossed, woods we explored, trees we climbed. And as Hector’s mother reminds us – once we are no longer nature will still be here. BUT WILL IT?