Above, some of the hairy Highland cows cool off in Loch Kinnabus.There's been a few hot days here on Islay and the local farms have been making the most of it by getting their silage cut. On the reserves we cut our silage late, but we have been keeping busy, nonetheless!
On the Oa we have been gathering the sheep off the hills to mark the lambs and shear the sheep.
Meanwhile at Loch Gruinart, Eion and Stuart have been shearing their way through our cheviot sheep, which they will be relieved to be free of in the warm weather!
The view from Ardnave overlooking the mouth of Loch Gruinart.
The hazy view to Ireland from The Oa, overlooking the backs of young Highlanders.
Yes they must be relieved to give their bellies a dip! Luckily for them summer doesn't last long on The Oa, or not as long as the winter anyway! They do moult a bit through the summer, but their shaggy coats must protect them from sunburn, and from the dreaded horse-flies and midges.