Writing in the Sand

On the tip of the Dark Isle, lies the tranquil fishing village of Cromness, where the normal round of dominoes matches, meetings of the Ladies' Guild and twice-daily netting of salmon continues as it has always done. But all is not well. Down on the beach, an old man rakes the sand, looking for clues to the future. The patterns show him the harmony of the universe, but they also show him that there is something wrong in Cromness. Strange things are beginning to happen. Because this is no ordinary island. Centuries ago, so it is said, the Celtic gods and goddesses took refuge here. Now, behind the walls of the world, there are restless stirring sounds. Mist descends. Strange animals move through the fog, turnip fields disappear and the fishing fleet begin to blockade the island. As the islanders prepare to celebrate the famed Dark Isle Show, the moment of Truth approaches. Soon everyone is drawn into the struggle against the shadows that threaten the Dark Isle. But is anyone truly aware of the scale of events? And who will prevail?

Angus Dunn Angus Dunn won the 2002 Neil Gunn Competition and the Robert Louis Stevenson award in 1995 and is the author of numerous works of poetry and short fiction, his work has featured in Shorts - The Macallan/Scotland on Sunday Collection and been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland. He has also served as the Writer in Residence for Aberdeenshire and the Scottish Culture Workshop.