Page 215 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2021 DISCOVERING SANTA FE

ganic vegetables is popular. Houses are few and
far between and longtimers become handy at fix-
ing things and helping each other out. There's no
McDonald's, Costco, or shopping center!
“Nothing very dramatic happens here,” Brian
pointed out. “You have to have a certain mentality
to cope with it, really. Gossip is very important—
it's not malicious but can be helpful.” And, he said,
there's no crime: “We're self-policing, it works
very well.”
And islanders love their popular music festivals
and lively celebrations.
“We're all from different cultures, back-
grounds,” explained Maggie as we sipped delicious
soup for lunch in the pier's cozy Galmisdale Bay
Cafe, watching through the picture window as our
return ferry slowly sailed in. “Most people are on
the same page. They recognize it's a very beauti-
ful, special place and want to keep it that way. The
landscape is amazing. We're a small, enthusiastic
community. We wouldn't have achieved what we
have if it weren't for that. There's something
about island communities—a bit different, spe-
cial—people know warts and all. You sort out dis-
agreements—after all, you have to see them the
next day.
“I don't see many disadvantages. But it's a pain
in the ass if you miss the boat!”

IF YOU GO
Ferry: www.calmac.co.uk
www.isleofeigg.org
www.galmisdale-bay.com
Inner Hebrides islands' newspaper West Word:
www.westword.org.uk
Caledonian Sleeper: www.sleeper.scot
www.visitscotland.com
Photography by Sharon Whitley Larsen and
Carl H. Larsen

WINEDINEANDTRAVEL.COM 215