Edges do not come in a much more dramatic form than cliffs and, especially, sea cliffs; two worlds meet, the line between them truncated, snapped, crushed and reordered constantly. Faced with sheer verticality, our brains react in different ways. Here, the land loses, respite won by a cushion of fallen boulder beaches below, but it is only temporary—waves crashing against those rocks dislodged and rounded by winters past, eventually either wear them down completely, or use them as ammunition, hurled against their parent, to bring down further siblings or, perhaps, to rest a time atop the cliff itself.
Dec 13, 2023·edited Dec 13, 2023Liked by Alexander M Crow
There are small cliffs on the Black Isle; then there the greater cliffs of Caithness; I've been to Yesnaby; and the best of all, St Kilda. I'm cautious to say the least on a cliff top getting a vague sense of vertigo as I peer over; I feel safer sitting or lying down. Sailing along part of the St Kildan coats and round the sea stacs is jaw-dropping; such a sense of the grandeur of nature and our own insignificance. Cliffs mean seabirds, the cries of seabirds, and the overpowering smell of guano.
Actually, thinking about cliffs, although not coastal, I've been to Meteora in Greece and that is quite a different sensation - probably the lack of water and seabirds!
Ah, I have island envy! I'd love to head to St. Kilda, we studied it as part of Landscape Archaeology, my personal tutor had done some work out there. Yesnaby is a special place too, it always feels as though the Atlantic is doing her level best to carve her way into the heart of Orkney. And the cliffs in Caithness are close to my heart, having walked them a lot when I lived there.
I've never been to Greece, although Aurélie has told me of Meteora and I'd love to visit one day.
Meteors in Greece is such a special place, never seen the likes again. I went there at 19 I believe, but really want to return as my now acquired world experience tells me, yes, it is a very special place!
I also went when I was 19 and, like you, it would be good to return. I was there in 1985 so I'm sure it will have changed a bit, but not too much I hope!
Oh I hope it hasn't changed. The memory of it is very precious to me and I would hate for it to have turned into a tourist nest! I was there 20 years ago now that I think on it!!!...
I hope it hasn't changed too much but, I suspect, it might have done. Many such locations have become completely different since social media and travel influencers. :(
Once again I am dreaming of Orkney! Your words and descriptions draw me a step closer every time... and this, words of time ravaged cliffs, the old Man of Hoy that I dreamt of climbing so many eon’s ago...
<3 Thank you! I'm sure you'll get to visit at some point, and it will be well worth it when you do. We used to mess around climbing cliffs, no ropes, no safety equipment, just wellington boots. I only really fell once, and was lucky when I did, just twisting my knee (and having to walk back home on it for several miles...), slipping when a fulmar tried to vomit on me!
Haha, looking back now it makes quite a story, although my knee STILL aches in cold damp weather (now, for example!). I'm doing my best to leave behind a skeleton which archaeologists may one day examine and see all these points of damage, making their lives that bit more interesting...!!
(I actually would really really like to leave my body to archaeological science, on the understanding it is preserved as the mummies we found at Cladh Hallan were, dipped in a bog, then smoked over a fire... I'd quite like to be sat in the corner of a university laboratory watching over proceedings...!!)
I love the Haiku! Both beautiful, but I think I am perhaps drawn more to the second one. And, of course, I always love any reference to Stromness Books and Prints, and Tam. Lovely piece, Al.
There are small cliffs on the Black Isle; then there the greater cliffs of Caithness; I've been to Yesnaby; and the best of all, St Kilda. I'm cautious to say the least on a cliff top getting a vague sense of vertigo as I peer over; I feel safer sitting or lying down. Sailing along part of the St Kildan coats and round the sea stacs is jaw-dropping; such a sense of the grandeur of nature and our own insignificance. Cliffs mean seabirds, the cries of seabirds, and the overpowering smell of guano.
Actually, thinking about cliffs, although not coastal, I've been to Meteora in Greece and that is quite a different sensation - probably the lack of water and seabirds!
Ah, I have island envy! I'd love to head to St. Kilda, we studied it as part of Landscape Archaeology, my personal tutor had done some work out there. Yesnaby is a special place too, it always feels as though the Atlantic is doing her level best to carve her way into the heart of Orkney. And the cliffs in Caithness are close to my heart, having walked them a lot when I lived there.
I've never been to Greece, although Aurélie has told me of Meteora and I'd love to visit one day.
I’ve been to St K twice, for a few days, and would love to go again - a very special place, it gets into your soul.
One day! It's certainly on my list (although I don't really keep a physical one, I do have a mental list of places I'd love to see).
I have a mental list of places too - it’s kinda fluid, lol
Meteors in Greece is such a special place, never seen the likes again. I went there at 19 I believe, but really want to return as my now acquired world experience tells me, yes, it is a very special place!
I also went when I was 19 and, like you, it would be good to return. I was there in 1985 so I'm sure it will have changed a bit, but not too much I hope!
That's a funny coincidence!
Oh I hope it hasn't changed. The memory of it is very precious to me and I would hate for it to have turned into a tourist nest! I was there 20 years ago now that I think on it!!!...
38 years ago for me .... eek!
I hope it hasn't changed too much but, I suspect, it might have done. Many such locations have become completely different since social media and travel influencers. :(
Once again I am dreaming of Orkney! Your words and descriptions draw me a step closer every time... and this, words of time ravaged cliffs, the old Man of Hoy that I dreamt of climbing so many eon’s ago...
Simply superbe Alex - as always!
<3 Thank you! I'm sure you'll get to visit at some point, and it will be well worth it when you do. We used to mess around climbing cliffs, no ropes, no safety equipment, just wellington boots. I only really fell once, and was lucky when I did, just twisting my knee (and having to walk back home on it for several miles...), slipping when a fulmar tried to vomit on me!
Im certain that was no where near as hilarious as it sounds... I think perhaps I may have slipped too at that point Alex!
Haha, looking back now it makes quite a story, although my knee STILL aches in cold damp weather (now, for example!). I'm doing my best to leave behind a skeleton which archaeologists may one day examine and see all these points of damage, making their lives that bit more interesting...!!
I could probably join you in that, although I suggest we don’t take it to the extreme!
(I actually would really really like to leave my body to archaeological science, on the understanding it is preserved as the mummies we found at Cladh Hallan were, dipped in a bog, then smoked over a fire... I'd quite like to be sat in the corner of a university laboratory watching over proceedings...!!)
I love the Haiku! Both beautiful, but I think I am perhaps drawn more to the second one. And, of course, I always love any reference to Stromness Books and Prints, and Tam. Lovely piece, Al.