Image Details
This ice structure was discovered by my neighbour Peggy when out walking her dog Becky on the beach at Laide. Before returning home she came to see me to tell me about it and suggested that I go and photograph it.
Off I went to see this thing and headed for Sand Burn where it runs over the beach at Laide. I was really surprised at what I saw. Arching in a curve up from one the banks of the burn was an ice structure which then levelled out and projected horizontally for about 30cm over the burn.
It is easy to understand the formation of vertical icicles, but horizontal ones are less easy to comprehend. I came to the conclusion that overnight he Sand Burn had been at a higher level due to rain the preceding day. Subsequently, as the temperature dropped below freezing over night ice formed on the surface, then as the water surface continued to fall the ice structure was left suspended over the burn.
This is not an entirely satisfactory explanation either, why did the ice structure only form at this point in the burn? Perhaps it didn't and this is only a remnant of a greater structure. Whatever its cause it is beautiful and contrasts nicely with the reddish stones seen at the bottom of the burn.
North-west Highland Place Names
The landscape of the North-west Highlands and the Gaelic language are intimately connected. Other languages have contributed to the richness of our place names, notably Norse, but the North-west Highlands have for centuries been a Gaelic landscape. In listing the meanings of place names I have relied on authoritative sources wherever possible. For further information about sources please refer to North-west Highland Place Names in the main menu.
Laide; In Gaelic it is An Leathad meaning ‘a slope’.
Sand; At Laide, in Gaelic it is Sannda from the Norse sand-à meaning ‘sand stream’, as is proved by the presence of Inbhir-Shannda, ‘estuary of the Sand Burn’. The burial place is called Cladh Inbhirshannda from the Gaelic cladh, ‘burial place’.
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