A love story that all in Argyll can share
Everybody loves a good love story. And this week, we have a wonderful tale of two sets of lovers spanning thousands of years.
A magnificent memorial was unveiled on the summit of Beinn Ghlas on Saturday to remember two love stories between Scotland and Ireland.
The Sheiling was commissioned by Sam MacDonald of Barguillean Estate near Taynuilt in memory of his Belfast-born wife Evelyn, who died from cancer last year. It is a dream fulfilled, with Sam telling us at the weekend, his wife ‘would have loved it’.
Its sculptor David Wilson described the piece saying it looked: ‘like it had been dropped down on the mountains by the gods 1,000 years ago’.
Not only is the sculpture a memorial to Evelyn, but also to remember a second, older love story, that of Deirdre and Naoise – a tragic tale of two doomed lovers who sought sanctuary, and peace, in Gleann Éite, not far from Sam and Evelyn’s Sheiling.
Not only is the Sheiling a private memorial, but Sam and Evelyn have shared their love with everyone, giving those who need it a wonderful retreat, where they can enjoy the beauty of the Argyll scenery as well as the space and peace that nature provides. The editor welcomes letters of approximately 300 words in length for publication on this page. However we reserve the right to shorten, to amend or to refuse to print them. Names and postal addresses must be supplied, including on emails, to indicate good faith. A daytime phone number is also required for verification. Anonymous letters or those supplied without a contact phone number will not be printed.
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