It's a moving tribute to these men that so many people around the world feel the loss. I and one or two other Mudcatters (Ian Stephenson and his family) know the Isle of Whithorn, and Kirkudbright, as we go to that area every summer. How Winter can change things! Ian and his family know the area even better than I do, as they have relatives in Creetown and all have been going there for over 30 years. Isle of Whithorn is a beautiful village which centres around its lovely harbour, now home to mainly pleasure boats and inshore fishermen. It is also the place where St. Ninian landed to bring Christianity to that area of Britain in the 5th century: the remains of a chapel are still to be found near a sloping shingle beach where pilgrims landed. For me it is one of the most spiritual places and I find great peace there. I hope and pray that the same peace and healing that I find may one day find its way into the hearts and minds of the families that have been destroyed by this tragedy. The sea is a cruel mistress, and I hope for the sake of the relatives of these men that she will give up her dead so that they can complete their mourning process.

mouldy

It will be a poignant visit for me next year.