Ducks and Drakes

By: Nigel Tranter

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Ardrinish Bay, on the west coast of Kintyre, is well known for wild fowl, waders and sea birds. Some of the locals have always exercised their rights to shoot wild fowl between low and high tide marks. The bird population also attracts bird-watchers. Inevitably, this led to a conflict of interest. A confrontation between the different interests and their supporters eventually happened and attracted nationwide Press coverage. The local sideline of illicit distilling of whisky and smuggling of duty free goods was in danger of being exposed – but luckily the discovery of an osprey's nest led to the return of reason. The clash created as hilarious a storm as ever ruffled the waters of the Hebridean Sea.