Everything on Skye and in Lochalsh appears almost the same as it was days ago – yet everything for many families has changed.
There is a sadness in the air, a sense of loss not known on these islands in living memory.
There is little understanding of how the event that left one man dead and three injured could happen here, in this “safe” place.
Conversations in the shops and on the street in Portree are about the families, of the care for those who right now are going through, whether it be grief or shock, or anxiety.
Even tourists are reading in the newspapers of what happened yesterday to the South of Skye and in Lochalsh.
Some don’t appreciate the significance.
In fact, they ask if it was drugs related.
Elma James, from Missouri, said: “I suppose it must be unusual for anyone to be shot here.
“A shooting would not have made it onto the front of the newspaper in the States, they are a daily occurrences.
“I prefer it here where every life is honoured.”
‘This has nothing to do with guns and everything to do with mental health’
Another woman, who married and moved away from Skye 25 years ago, told The Press and Journal that it was surreal.
She said: “I know these people, I know what has happened.
“It shouldn’t happen here, we know each other. But this has nothing to do with guns and everything to do with mental health.”
That’s borne out by one former mental health nurse, who spoke to us. She said: “I don’t know what happened in this case, because I’m not involved.
“But what I can tell you is there is very little support for people in Skye. Something any health professional will tell you. People are being left without the services they need.”
John Gordon, a former councillor on Skye, who stood down at the last election claimed there were waits of nine to 14 months for appointments.
He said: “Because of Covid we were already facing a mental health crisis on Skye.
“What has been witnessed over the last day will mean services already stretched to the limit will be pulled even further. ”
‘Life has been changed forever’
Mr Gordon, whose dad died at Home Farm during a Covid outbreak now being investigated by the Crown Office, continued: “We desperately now need investment to support people on the island.
“Without support now we will have generations of people suffering.”
He added: “Funding has, of course, been reduced for those charities and voluntary organisations on Skye that support people – they need that funding reinstated immediately.”
Councillor Calum Munro, who represents Skye, said: “It feels unreal right now. So many people have been affected by the events of Wednesday.
“And for many it feels like life has been changed forever.
“I just want to help reach out to people, please speak about how you are feeling, to me, to friends and family, phone NHS 24, or the police on 111. There is someone waiting to listen.”
Conversation