Camusfearna, (Sandaig) Scotland
This location may be of interest to a specific group of people: Fans of the books by Gavin Maxwell, and specifically those relating to his pet otters - the trilogy of "Ring of Bright Water"; "Raven seek thy Brother" and "The Rocks remain".
He had a colourful life: During WW2 he trained SOE agents who were to be dropped into France for sabotage missions, etc but it is in his later years when he turned to writing that he is best remembered for.
This is the location in a remote part of the North-west of Scotland that he wrote about. A film was also made, based on his story: Ring of Bright Water starring Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers.
His house, known in the books and film as "Camusfearna", stood where the memorial stone now is. Maxwell's ashes are buried underneath it. In the background is "Raef Payne's cottage" that is referred to in Maxwells' story.
The books were hugely popular and sold millions. The location of "Camusfearna" (real name: Sandaig) remained mostly unknown until the house burned down in 1968. Then it made news round the world because of its famous occupant. One of his otters, Edal, died in the fire and is buried nearby, with a memorial cairn.
For the vast majority of people the site is too remote to visit (even if they wanted to). Living in Scotland, I was able to visit Sandaig in 1977 and again in 2011. Now, more than 50 years after the fire I've posted a selection of my pictures of Sandaig, and nearby, on Flickr. For anyone interested the pictures will be in my "RoBW" Album.
Camusfearna, (Sandaig) Scotland
This location may be of interest to a specific group of people: Fans of the books by Gavin Maxwell, and specifically those relating to his pet otters - the trilogy of "Ring of Bright Water"; "Raven seek thy Brother" and "The Rocks remain".
He had a colourful life: During WW2 he trained SOE agents who were to be dropped into France for sabotage missions, etc but it is in his later years when he turned to writing that he is best remembered for.
This is the location in a remote part of the North-west of Scotland that he wrote about. A film was also made, based on his story: Ring of Bright Water starring Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers.
His house, known in the books and film as "Camusfearna", stood where the memorial stone now is. Maxwell's ashes are buried underneath it. In the background is "Raef Payne's cottage" that is referred to in Maxwells' story.
The books were hugely popular and sold millions. The location of "Camusfearna" (real name: Sandaig) remained mostly unknown until the house burned down in 1968. Then it made news round the world because of its famous occupant. One of his otters, Edal, died in the fire and is buried nearby, with a memorial cairn.
For the vast majority of people the site is too remote to visit (even if they wanted to). Living in Scotland, I was able to visit Sandaig in 1977 and again in 2011. Now, more than 50 years after the fire I've posted a selection of my pictures of Sandaig, and nearby, on Flickr. For anyone interested the pictures will be in my "RoBW" Album.