Conachair & Cliffs
Calum MacDonald (1908-1970). Left St Kilda 1924.
“On one occasion I nearly lost my young life. I was about five years old when I asked my brother to lower me down a cliff to catch a fulmar on its nest. The rope was tied around my waist and I was lowered down. As I descended opposite to the nest, the young fulmar became restless and spat oil all over my face. Everyone above kept shouting “go on catch it”. My brother was becoming impatient and gave a sharp tug of the rope and before I could retrieve my position I was hanging upside down looking down onto the bottom rocks and foaming sea. The rope slipped around my knees and then tightened around my ankles before I finally felt my brothers strong hands pull me clear of danger.”
Calum MacDonald (1908-1970). Left St Kilda 1924.
“On one occasion I nearly lost my young life. I was about five years old when I asked my brother to lower me down a cliff to catch a fulmar on its nest. The rope was tied around my waist and I was lowered down. As I descended opposite to the nest, the young fulmar became restless and spat oil all over my face. Everyone above kept shouting “go on catch it”. My brother was becoming impatient and gave a sharp tug of the rope and before I could retrieve my position I was hanging upside down looking down onto the bottom rocks and foaming sea. The rope slipped around my knees and then tightened around my ankles before I finally felt my brothers strong hands pull me clear of danger.”