Breaking radio silence for a brief greeting from the wind-blown Hebrides.

There’s a gale of epic proportions going on outside - with stinging rain and wind strong enough to lift you off your feet, to make the chimney roar, to whip the sea into wild foam hurled at the shore.

Electricity is intermittent. Tea and hot water bottles are in plentiful supply. I’m feeling coldy, sleepy and snug, currently wearing five layers of clothing.

Now it’s dark outside, and every time the electricity pings off, the world is dark and noisy - just raging wind and lashing rain and sea spray against the windows. Thank goodness for three-foot-thick walls, candles and jumpers.

Not sure quite how much first-footing will occur tonight, but if it ends up quiet, that’s no bad thing. Hope you have a happy new year, whatever you do.