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Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (Credit: Visit Scotland/Kenny Lam)
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A Warm Hug

By Dolina Mackenzie

...it's more "All for one and one for All"....That's what makes the Highlands such a special place and it's people likewise. That is the spirit of the Highlands!

Walking through my family village in Stornoway (Scottish Gaelic: Steòrnabhagh) on a late summer evening and experiencing the warm hug of the smell of all the peat fires emanating from various chimney pots. It's hard to describe, you just have to be there, feel it for yourself and luxuriate in it, there is nothing to compare to it. Coal just doesn't cut it, because you just know, that behind every door with a peat fire raring is a family home full of love. More especially when you know the hard work involved in getting the peats from the moor to home was done with the help of most of the village. Not for Highlanders, the, me, myself, I, attitude, it's more "All for one and one for All". And that you just have to experience for yourself. That's what makes the Highlands such a special place and it's people likewise. That is the Spirit of the Highlands!

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