The Hermit of Treig

[kiloran]

A documentary (on BBC last night) about a remarkable 74 year old man living a solitary life in the scottish highlands, about 15 miles east of Fort William.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59174870

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m ... t-of-treig

Reminded me of my encounter with James McRory Smith (Sandy) at Strathchailleach bothy back in the 80's, a tale which I think I related either here or on the other Fool
https://jamescarron.wordpress.com/featu ... hailleach/

--kiloran

[kempiejon]

Seems like your Scotland is the haunt of hermits. Ben Fogle went and spent a week with hermit come air BnBer Jake
catch up here. https://www.channel5.com/show/ben-fogle ... /episode-4
I enjoyed it but not quite a hermit/recluse he did interact with the world just a bit more distant than many.

[scotia]

A documentary (on BBC last night) about a remarkable 74 year old man living a solitary life in the scottish highlands, about 15 miles east of Fort William.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59174870

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m ... t-of-treig

Reminded me of my encounter with James McRory Smith (Sandy) at Strathchailleach bothy back in the 80's, a tale which I think I related either here or on the other Fool
https://jamescarron.wordpress.com/featu ... hailleach/

--kiloran

I met the Hermit of Treig - probably about 30-35 years ago. I was having a Bar meal in the Moor of Rannoch Hotel at Rannoch Station. A quiet little man was sitting by himself in a corner, writing on an A4 sheet of paper. He was weather beaten - like a man of the road, but was reasonably tidily dressed. He went off to the toilet, and one of the other diners asked the Barman who he was. We were told that he came to the hotel at irregular intervals, and sat in the corner, writing letters. We were also told that he lived somewhere on Rannoch Moor - but the Barman didn't know where, and he was not sure if he stayed on the Moor over the worst of the winter. When the hermit returned from the toilet, the inquisitive diner engaged him in conversation, and asked if he always had stayed here. No - we were told, he had travelled in Canada. He was also asked (I thought this was getting too personal) how he afforded such travel - and he explained that he didn't require much money, and while in Canada he had occasional casual employment, which met all his requirements. My impression was that he was a gentle soul, and very polite. I think I might have told the inquisitive diner to mind his own business!
I can't remember exactly why I was on Rannoch Moor on that occasion - around that time I was carrying out some tests on Hydro, and I also went there on fishing trips. Maybe I was carrying on both occupations at the same time (like some MPs ) On looking up the Moor of Rannoch Hotel, I see it has gone up in the world as a 2-AA Rosette Restaurant with rooms. I wonder if the Hermit (Ken Smith) still visits it?

[kiloran]

A documentary (on BBC last night) about a remarkable 74 year old man living a solitary life in the scottish highlands, about 15 miles east of Fort William.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59174870

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m ... t-of-treig

Reminded me of my encounter with James McRory Smith (Sandy) at Strathchailleach bothy back in the 80's, a tale which I think I related either here or on the other Fool
https://jamescarron.wordpress.com/featu ... hailleach/

--kiloran

I met the Hermit of Treig - probably about 30-35 years ago. I was having a Bar meal in the Moor of Rannoch Hotel at Rannoch Station. A quiet little man was sitting by himself in a corner, writing on an A4 sheet of paper. He was weather beaten - like a man of the road, but was reasonably tidily dressed. He went off to the toilet, and one of the other diners asked the Barman who he was. We were told that he came to the hotel at irregular intervals, and sat in the corner, writing letters. We were also told that he lived somewhere on Rannoch Moor - but the Barman didn't know where, and he was not sure if he stayed on the Moor over the worst of the winter. When the hermit returned from the toilet, the inquisitive diner engaged him in conversation, and asked if he always had stayed here. No - we were told, he had travelled in Canada. He was also asked (I thought this was getting too personal) how he afforded such travel - and he explained that he didn't require much money, and while in Canada he had occasional casual employment, which met all his requirements. My impression was that he was a gentle soul, and very polite. I think I might have told the inquisitive diner to mind his own business!
I can't remember exactly why I was on Rannoch Moor on that occasion - around that time I was carrying out some tests on Hydro, and I also went there on fishing trips. Maybe I was carrying on both occupations at the same time (like some MPs ) On looking up the Moor of Rannoch Hotel, I see it has gone up in the world as a 2-AA Rosette Restaurant with rooms. I wonder if the Hermit (Ken Smith) still visits it?

Yes, he does come across as a very gentle and polite man, and it's those characteristics that are stirring something in the depths of my memory. I have this vague feeling that I might have encountered him on my treks through the hills and stays in bothies many years ago. It's bugging me that the memory is so hazy and I cannot remember where. He now looks very frail and it's remarkable how he can live his lifestyle at his age.

--kiloran

[scotia]

He now looks very frail and it's remarkable how he can live his lifestyle at his age.
--kiloran

Yes - now that I know where he lived, it would have been a fair hike south past Corrour to Rannoch Station (and back). And I can understand why he was not seen at Rannoch Station during the short days of winter! I hope he manages to continue his current lifestyle, but my impression was that he could adapt to living with other people when it becomes impractical to continue as at present.