The Good Life & Holy Eggs

Winnie with Holy Eggs

Many of the Catholic parishes in the Highlands of Scotland were also ‘crofts’ – which allowed the priest to support himself and the parish by living off the land. A croft is a small free-hold of land which allows sustainable living. As communities have got wealthier, the need for the parish to sustain a croft has diminished. However in many places the vestiges continue. I have had the joy the last few years to go to the Outer Hebridean island of South Uist for a few weeks supply in the summer at this parish.

The priest still has his own flock of sheep, real not metaphorical, and last summer I was presented with my own lamb, butchered and prepared by the parish shepherd! Here in Arisaig the priest keeps over 40 chickens, and ably assisted by the wonderful Winnie .....

To read more of Schola Affectus blog about life in the Outer Hebrides, see:

http://sjsa.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/the-good-life-holy-eggs/