CHAPTER 19 A Visit from the Norwegians

 

It was almost midday before Mary drove up to Achlean, thinking she would never be able to take the beauty of this glen for granted. When she stopped the engine, she could hear the noise of someone splitting logs for firewood. He sounds busy thought Mary and as she was opening the gate, Rambo appeared, going into a meerkat position in the hope of getting a treat.

Coming round the corner of the house she could see Jock, oblivious to visitors, engrossed in working his way through a huge pile of wood. Even in the cold spring mountain air, he was sweating so profusely that his shirt was stained. As he bent to pick up a log, he became aware of Mary and a broad smile appeared on his face. He walked towards her and his hug and welcome kiss took her breath away.

“I have really missed you,” were his first words.

“Not as much as I’ve missed you,” replied Mary and they indulged in a long, lingering kiss.

Picking up the shirt that Mary had bought in Canada, Jock took her hand and they walked together to the house when Mary asked, “Before we go in, could you help me with all the luggage from my car?” When Jock saw the painting from the workforce in Kinlochleven, he was lost for words and kept looking admiringly at it.

While Jock washed and shaved, Mary made some lunch. When he came into the kitchen Mary asked him where the bed had come from that was in their second bedroom, who had given all the presents that were stacked in the sitting room and how did he manage to have over one thousand pounds in the tin.

Jock explained that he had sold two huge loads of bone-dry firewood to the Duke of Gordon Hotel, some wooden plaques that were completed and that he, Jean and Ewan were working, felling and extracting wood for the estate. Jean was working the horse which belonged to the estate and he and Ewan were felling, peeling and crosscutting the timber into pulp. Nan, Ewan and Jean were shopping in Inverness and Jean was a natural with a Garron, a Highland pony, called Whisky and it followed Jean about like a dog. The two of them had really bonded. Ewan, who was on leave from the forestry college, was using this experience as a working dissertation for his final exam later in the year. Nan had provided Jock with a packed lunch and evening meal and every night they had brought home a trailer load of firewood, and twice they had sold a load on the way home. They had been paid cash for their work on Friday evenings and they expected to finish the job next week.

The presents were from all the locals and Nan had brought them over after the wedding. The bed was a present from Nan, Jean and Ewan. He also explained that his breakfast had been porridge and an omelette every alternate day, his only purchase had been milk all week.

Mary was puzzled as to how to write thank you notes for all the presents, so Jock suggested that when they met Jean at the shinty match that afternoon, she invite Jean this evening as she would be able to give all the necessary details and addresses.

Before going to the shinty game at the Dell, Mary bought a lot of stamps and thank you cards at the post office in Kingussie. When they went into the Dell they were greeted by people offering them good health and a long and happy marriage.

They met Nan and Jean at the shinty game and the conversation continued almost to the final whistle. Nan and Jean accepted the invitation for an evening meal and while Mary and Nan blethered and worked in the kitchen, Jock, Jean and Rambo were out in the yard splitting and stacking firewood.

After the meal, Mary gave Nan a bottle of malt whisky and perfume that she had bought at the duty-free, while Jean received a box of fancy soaps and lotions and a pretty jumper. Mary remarked how Jean had lost a lot of weight and was looking fit, which brought a smile to Jean’s face.

When the guests had left, Jock and Mary looked at the array of gifts, deciding what to do with them. Both were quite taken with a thermal tea pot and coffee jug from Laura and Barry which would keep the contents boiling hot for ages.

As Mary hung the painting of the Highlander on the wall, Jock decided to hang the Maori fighting stick alongside it. Having a nightcap together in front of the log burning stove, they agreed to get up early, carry their skis to the snow level, go over the mountain line and come down the Land Rover track and be back at Achlean in time to go to church.

Accompanied by Rambo, they did as planned and when they stopped for a break at the top of Carn Ban Mor, Jock pointed out a huge forest plantation at the foot of the glen. He explained that the Forestry Commission had asked him to thin and extract most of the timber there by horse and that he and Ewan were going to go into business together and employ Jean. When they finished the contract with the estate, he planned to ask the bank for a loan to buy equipment. The money in the tin on the kitchen shelf was to buy a second-hand horse trailer and Whisky, the garron pony, from the estate. They continued discussing Jock’s plans and Mary agreed to be his bookkeeper once the deal was finalised. She was amazed that Jock appeared so cool, calm and collected about the whole concept of what she considered was a huge undertaking.

Later, as they entered the Church, they were greeted by members of the congregation wishing them every happiness, and even the minister who married them mentioned it when he read the intimations. After the service, Mary and Jock were talking to Nan when Jean, who had been in the company of some girls, came and joined them. Her face was flushed with excitement and anticipation. She came straight to Jock and asked, “Jock, they’re going to form a ladies shinty team in Kingussie. Would you train me?”

Jock stood with a bemused smile and stroked his face with his forefinger and thumb. Mary and Nan looked at him as he digested the information. Finally, he answered, “Well now Jean, your brother and I have a lot on just now, but yes, I will teach you. However, you will need to train by yourself as well as with the team, so come up to Achlean this afternoon and we’ll take it from there. Before we start though, there will be no sweets, fizzy drinks or cakes from now onwards, is that understood?” Jean nodded her head and gave Jock, Mary and Nan big hugs.

Nan broke down in tears and said, “I never dreamed that my lassie would ever have a full-time job and now she has that and is going to play shinty. You two have brought a huge amount of good fortune to my life and I can’t thank you enough.” Again, Mary and Jock were given big hugs of thanks.

Jock, clearly embarrassed, answered, “Just bring some girdle scones when you bring Jean up this afternoon, that’s thanks enough.”

Lunch over, Mary and Jock were playing chess in the conservatory when Jean and Nan arrived. Mary and Nan sat and engaged in non-stop conversation while Jock, Jean and Rambo headed to the river where Jock gave Jean a small stick and told her to pick up a stone, throw it in the air and hit it with the stick. After about twenty attempts she hit one and several more after that. Back at the croft, Jean did five special exercises against the stopwatch. She was given a list of exercises to do every day and told that she would be tested again at a later date. On the way home, she had to alternate walking and sprinting between the telegraph poles. Nan was overjoyed to see the transformation that was taking place in her daughter. Before leaving, she thanked them again for their friendship. Jean, by this time, was running and walking home.

That evening, before darkness fell, Mary and Jock walked Rambo whilst talking over their respective plans and worries, helping each other just by listening and talking together. The conversation continued for the whole evening, happy and comfortable in each other’s company.

Early next morning, Mary set off for Glasgow via Kinlochleven as Jock and Rambo got ready for another day’s work in the forest. Again the phrase, ‘parting is such sweet sorrow’ came to mind as she broke from their last embrace to drive down the glen.

As Mary was driving down the glen, almost in tears, the sun was rising and burning the countryside in a deep shade of pink, making her appreciate how fortunate she was to have a good, well-paid job that she enjoyed, a man to be proud of and prospects for the future.

Arriving at Kinlochleven, Mary was very pleased with the work that had been done over the weekend as several of the Norwegian pulk sledges, in different designs, had been assembled and others were in the process of being constructed. She congratulated Ken Dow and his small workforce on a job well-done and insisted that the appropriate overtime pay was allocated.

During lunch with them in the canteen, conversation covered many topics, the Norwegian visit, shinty, prospects of the smelter and tales of mountain rescues in the local hills. Ian Grey came over to ask how Jock was and they talked about him, much to her pleasure. It was suddenly dawned on her that she had forgotten to ask Jock which room in Fern Villa had been his.

On Thursday morning, Mary went to Glasgow Airport, accompanied by the driver of the luxury minibus and Linda McCulloch, the new office recruit who had obtained the information for Mary about the Norwegian army. Linda’s reward was a day out to escort the clients in the minibus and give a guided tour on the journey to Kinlochleven.

Waiting on the arrival concourse at Glasgow Airport, there was no doubt who her clients were when four large men arrived, their uniforms studded with braid and service ribbons, and fetching admiring glances from other passengers. Mary introduced herself and her two members of staff. After a brief conversation, she ushered them to the waiting transport.

When they arrived at Kinlochleven smelter, just before lunch, they were met by Ken Dow who gave them a guided tour of the premises. As lunch was about to be served, they all retreated to the canteen.

When lunch was over, they went out to the workshop where the sledges had been assembled. What they saw met with their approval and they spoke to each other in their native language as they inspected the sledges from all angles. A few gesticulations appeared to indicate that they favoured two of the designs over the others.

The senior officer in charge of the party spoke to Ken Dow, “Is there some place that we can use the sledges to see how they perform in the snow?”

Ken Dow shook his head and replied, “We have snow up the glen but nothing that would resemble the tundra.”

The four officers looked dismayed. Mary interrupted, “The only place in Scotland for that is the plateau of the Cairngorms where your Kompani Linge, the Norwegian resistance, trained during the second world war.”

“Kompani Linge,” the four officers exclaimed in unison, respect and reverence evident in their voices, “You would take us there?”

“It could be done,” answered Mary, “but there may be a logistical problem with transport for the sledges, and accommodation will be hard to come by as it’s a holiday weekend. You will need to change your return flight to Tuesday. If you speak to the engineers about any alterations or additions you would want to your sledges, Miss McCulloch will check flight availability and I will try to arrange transport and accommodation.”

As they went over to the office to make the necessary phone calls Mary asked her assistant, “How are you fixed for working the weekend?”

“I’m happy to cancel my plans as it looks like it’s going to be an exciting few days,” replied Linda. They both completed their respective tasks, returned to the workshop and again spoke to the group.

 Mary announced, “I have arranged for your flights to be changed to Tuesday afternoon. Transport will be here at eight o’clock tomorrow morning for us and we’ll all leave then for Aviemore. On Saturday, we’ll test the sledges on the Cairngorm Plateau, rest on Sunday and return the sledges on Monday. We’ll then drive to Glasgow where we’ll stay overnight before your flights on Tuesday. As it’s Easter weekend and there’s a lot of snow, the ski slopes are busy, so much so that there is no accommodation available, so you are going to be staying at a croft in Glen Feshie. I suggest gentlemen that, once you have finished making any alterations or recommendations, the minibus will take you to your hotel and then you will be taken back to Glasgow. You will be returned here by taxi for eight o’clock in the morning. Are there any questions?” The four soldiers who spoke and understood English were in total agreement with the arrangements.

That evening, as Mary and her assistant entered Fern Villa to share a twin room Mary said, “From here until we return to the office, I am Mary and you are Linda and we will have to muck in and do whatever is necessary to make this weekend a success. Agreed?”

“Yes,” came the reply, “but I’m going to find it rather strange being on familiar terms with my boss and in the company of four good-looking foreign soldiers.”

After an early breakfast, Mary and Linda were at the smelter at half past seven where Jock and his pickup and trailer were already ready and loaded. Jock was in the canteen finishing his breakfast, enjoying the banter with the work staff. Mary introduced Linda to Jock, who remarked, “Some of the staff remembered you Jock, when you stood up to Mr Campbell at the Ballachulish hotel years ago and you are a legend in the Glasgow office.”

As soon as the Norwegians arrived, and introductions were made, they set off. Linda, Mary and two soldiers in the Land Rover and two soldiers with Jock and Rambo in the pickup.

First stop was the Dalwhinnie Distillery for a guided tour which impressed the Norwegians, even Mary and Linda enjoyed it. Lunch was at the Duke of Gordon Hotel then Jock stopped at the florists in Kingussie and collected a huge wreath of poppies. Mary was very puzzled at this purchase, but the reason soon became very clear to her when they drove up the ski road and stopped at Glenmore.

Waiting at the Norwegian Stone was a piper, and George Gaff, the chairman of the British Legion in Aviemore, dressed in the ceremonial dress of the Royal Scots Regiment. The national flag of Norway fluttered in the gentle breeze, altogether an impressive sight against the snow-clad peaks and corries of the Cairngorm mountains.

Introductions were made and as the piper began to play the “Flowers of the Forest,” holidaymakers from the nearby café stood and watched the simple but moving ceremony as the four Norwegian soldiers laid the wreath at the stone of remembrance.

The service terminated when the piper gave a rendering of “Highland Cathedral.” Many photographs were taken and as the Norwegians were talking to the piper and George Gaff, they were approached by a reporter from the local paper, requiring information about the visit to Glenmore. Hoping for free publicity for the Kinlochleven smelter, Mary asked Linda to represent Campbell Holdings and give him the whole story.

Formalities over, the party proceeded to the ski centre where the sledges were unloaded and the four soldiers were taken to the ski hire shop to be fitted with skis and appropriate clothing for the next day’s skiing. By this time darkness was on the horizon, so they stopped for a meal at the Duke of Gordon Hotel on the way to Achlean. As previously arranged, the four soldiers were to stay at Achlean and Linda was to stay with Nan.

Later that evening, when they were all having a night cap in the living room, they were joined by Nan who had come to collect Linda. Nan stayed for a while, enjoying the hospitality and company of the soldiers. As they had an early start at the ski centre next morning, when the transport would take them and the sledges to the top station, they decided that an early night was in order. Mary saw Linda and Nan to Nan’s old Land Rover and getting in she grumbled to Mary, “You’re being rather greedy, Mary. You’ve got five men with you here, could you not spare a couple for Linda and me,” and all three women burst into a fit of laughter.

As per instructions, they were all at the ski centre on time and while Mary, Jock and the four soldiers were taken to the top station, Linda’s tasks were to walk Rambo, drive Mary’s Land Rover to Aviemore to get the photos developed, visit the supermarket for provisions, the local brewery to restock supplies, the filling station for fuel, and the tourist information centre for souvenirs for the Norwegians.

Meanwhile, with Mary and two soldiers on one sledge and Jock and two soldiers on the other, they set off. The two soldiers pulled at the front while Mary and Jock guided at the rear. The Norwegians gave shouts of astonishment when they came across a herd of reindeer happily browsing on the dip of land between Cairngorm and Ben Macdui. Although she enjoyed the view, the physical exercise and the conversation, Mary could not help but remember the last time she was here, when Jock proposed to her, all those years ago.

They traversed the whole plateau, only stopping for a short break and refreshment. At three o’clock they returned to the top station to find the slopes very busy with skiers, which meant that they had to descend to the bottom car park via a steep run called “The White Lady.”

Halfway down, they witnessed a serious accident when two male skiers, going at a fast speed, collided. It looked like they were both seriously injured, with broken limbs and skis. Mary, Jock and the soldiers were the first on the scene. One of the soldiers was a paramedic who assessed the situation, gave elementary First Aid, then instructions on how to use the tarpaulin to lift the casualties onto the sledges. They had completed the manoeuvre by the time the ski patrol arrived and they radioed the standby ambulance at the bottom station to be prepared for their arrival.

With infinite care they brought the victims, slowly but surely, down to the waiting ambulance. A television crew who had been filming everyone enjoying themselves for the evening news programme came over. Mary was telling Linda what had taken place when a reporter asked Mary if he could interview them about what had happened. Mary agreed and introduced Linda to the reporter. Linda gave him the background to the visit in a very professional manner, completely unfazed with being on television for the first time. The reporter and camera crew then filmed the soldiers with Mary. Jock was busy loading the sledges onto the trailer and capering with Rambo, refusing to appear on camera.

All hired equipment returned, they decided to have a meal in the bar at the Duke of Gordon Hotel. Tidying themselves in the ladies’ restroom before their meal, Linda spoke to Mary, “What an adventure this weekend has turned out to be. I hope my mum and boyfriend watch the news this evening. Thanks for bringing me and for all your help and kindness.”

They were about to order when Nan, Jean, Ewan and his girlfriend came into the bar and were invited to join the party, which they happily accepted. The hotel bar was quite busy with many guests having a quiet drink before their evening meal. The conversation at Jock and Mary’s table became lively with the soldiers telling amusing stories, making everyone laugh out loud.

One of the soldiers, who had a rich baritone voice, stood up and sang a Norwegian ballad. This earned him a small round of applause from the other guests. Not to be outdone, Nan got to her feet and sang a song in the Gaelic in a beautiful, melodic voice which earned her a round of applause too. By this time, more guests had come into the bar, attracted by the singing. Each soldier stood up to sing solo, and Nan replied to them with her own songs.

By the time all singing had ceased, the bar was full of guests applauding the singers and shouting for an encore. It was only when the manager announced that the meal was served, did the party break up. Linda whispered to Mary, “I have had good nights in a pub before but never as good as this.”

Back at Achlean, over a large whisky nightcap, Mary explained the programme for the next day and everyone retired for the evening.

After everyone had drunk their coffee and eaten oatcakes with cheese the next morning, they left early to go to Loch Insh where an outdoor Easter service was being held by the shores of the loch. Nan, Jean, Linda and Ewan joined them there. The short service concluded with a very moving benediction. Going to the cars, Linda spoke to Mary, “I have never been to such a lovely church service. I'm really glad that I came with you this weekend.”

“You won’t be saying that after you help me cook, serve and wash up a breakfast for five hungry men,” came the reply.

Two of the soldiers helped serve and wash up and Jock showed everyone round the croft. At the workshop, he let everyone pick a plaque that had been completed. The soldiers and Linda were lost for words but very grateful and left the workshop admiring their gifts. Linda then presented the four soldiers with the Scottish T-shirts that she had selected in Aviemore the previous day, on Mary's instructions.

Jock took the soldiers on a long, tiring run up Cam Ban Mor, along the tops to the Land Rover track and back down the glen. They saw two small herds of red deer, an eagle, mountain hares and several red squirrels. Mary, Linda and Rambo went for a shorter run across the other side of the river.

As venison was on the menu for the evening meal, the soldiers insisted that they would be doing the cooking, serving and washing up and wanted to invite Nan as well. The conversation at the table was lively and entertaining, perhaps aided by the copious amount of wine that was being consumed. As they were leaving very early next morning to catch breakfast at the workers canteen, another early night was agreed upon.

All went to plan and in the canteen next morning the workers enjoyed the usual banter with Jock while Ken Dow had a long discussion with his prospective clients. After dining, they retired to the workshop and details were discussed to improve the performance of the sledges. Once that had been done, they went to the office to discuss cost over coffee.

As Jock was leaving to return to Achlean, he said his goodbyes to the soldiers who thanked him profusely. Turning to Mary, he said jokingly, “To whom do I send the bill for my services?”

Mary laughed and replied, “You will be paid in kind next weekend when I come up to Achlean.”

“Promises, promises, promises!” was his retort as he kissed her fondly before getting into the truck with Rambo.