Deserted

We walked through the village on Christmas Day, the last part along what is usually the very busy A9, to meet not a soul and see only one car; as if the whole population was at home, turned in upon itself, even though, outside, a bright sun shone in a cloudless sky. Nor....

....was it any different along the front when we walked it today, except that the sun was hidden behind high cumulus. As if in response, the lower beach was busy with cormorants, waders and gulls, the wildlife exploiting the absence of humans and their intrusive dogs.

It was disconcerting to see the place so deserted of humans, and to be reminded that, if such were to happen on a permanent basis, the wildlife, like an incoming tide, would quickly move in to fill the vacuum.