The UK has some pretty rustic outposts, as well as a few very sophisticated, cosier locations.
One of the former (a lump of offshore rock, with a lighthouse), MUST, at some time or other, have been the subject of a national COMPETITION, to find the most appropriate name for an inhospitable island.
The island, which is part of The Shetlands, off the north coast of Scotland, is just about the most remote and barren place you could imagine, and one has to pity the poor builders who were sent there to build its Lighthouse.
Anyway, someone obviously won the 'Name The Rock Competition', and the lucky winner came up with the very appealing name of MUCKLE FLUGGA. A name, I'm sure you'll agree, that has a certain 'ring' about it.
The name is perfect; I couldn't have thought of anything better. And if you're thinking of holidaying in the area, contact someone who's bound to be called 'Hamish', who keeps the key. Accommodation is free, but you will need to sign a disclaimer against death, frostbite, boredom, and all forms of rock-inflicted injuries.
I can still hear my mother saying "Cro, if you don't behave yourself, I'll send you to Muckle Fugga".
"Oh...... NO!
23 comments:
I see there is a book as well.
Presumably a very short book, perhaps not as muckle means great or big.
Really??? Don't read it.
A book carved in stone!
The lighthouse name is delightful. How would you climb up to the lighthouse? Even the boat trip to it would be a challenge. I wonder if lighthouse keepers lived in it.
It looks quite charming.
The name is so pleasing. I wish I could use it somewhere. Maybe name my compost heap.
What a place to build. If it was over here there would probably be a monastery perched on the rock.
Definitely name your compost heapš¤£
I had a copy of the book "It's a Long Way to Muckle Flugga" But never read it - it's long gone now.
It's now automatic, but when it was built I imagine there were people manning it. They would have needed a lot of supplies!
Harming or Charming; I think the former!
I've never given my compost heaps names; but I like the idea.
I had no idea it was so famous. You might have died of boredom reading it.
Its name originates from the Old Norse phrase Mikla Flugey, translating to "large steep-sided island" or "cliff island". It would be a good place for the 47th president of the USA to see out his days.
Poor old POTUS, he wouldn't even be able to play Golf.
Cro, did you see the programme on TV last night (Channel 4 I think) about the building of the lighthouse? It made (for me) compulsive viewing - showing the original film of the labourers carrying all the building materials up those steep sides on their backs. The first lighthouse didn't last long and was more or less destroyed by violent storms the first winter after it was built. It was rebuilt immediately and completed in something like six months. The film of the violent seas was quite hypnotic and frightening - amazing that the building has stood the test of time. Not the place to go on holiday unless you're a complete isolationist with a death wish!
They also have a Muckle Flugga whisky, I bought some in Lerwick for my son -in -law's 40th birthday. No idea what it's like, I'm not a whisky drinker.
No close by neighbors to bother you.
The name is unique. I like it too.
I grew up living in Nahant, MA, USA and our home was on a cliff looking out to the Atlantic with a direct view of Egg Rock. It was a large mound with lots of seagulls nesting.
No, I missed it. It sounds like my kinda programme.
Perhaps it tastes of seawater and seaweed.
'Egg Rock' is a far better name than 'Muckle Flugga'. Think yourself lucky that you weren't raised in The Shetlands.
Only sea birds, and maybe Seals?
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