‘Gus an coinnich sinn a-rithist,’ thuirt mi rium fhìn. Bha mi ag aithris nam facal a chanadh m’ athair rium o chionn dà fhichead bliadhna, agus e na sheasamh air an dearbh àrd-ùrlar rèile seo.

We have all heard the advice before – not to store up treasure on earth where the moth and rust destroy and where a thief might break in and steal. But I would have to admit that I have my study …

Tha sinn uile air a’ chomhairle a chluinntinn – cha bu chòir dhuinn a bhith a’ tasgadh ionmhas air an talamh far an dèan an leòmann agus a’ mheirg sgrios agus far am faod mèirleach briseadh a-steach agus goid a dhèanamh. Ach dh’fheumainn aideachadh gu bheil seòmar-leughaidh agam …

I was walking in the wood when I heard the roar of the chainsaw. I saw two men rigged out in protective clothing and yellow plastic helmets – they were about to cut down one of the aspen trees. I raised my hand, and they stopped the motor of the saw.

Bha mi a’ coiseachd anns a’ choille nuair a chuala mi beucaich an t-sàibh-sèine. Chunnaic mi dithis fhear sgeadaichte ann an aodach-dìona agus clogaidean plastaig buidhe – bha iad a’ dol a leagail tè de na craobhan crithinn. Thog mi suas mo làmh agus chuir iad stad air motair an t-sàibh.

The old man was restless, walking back and forth in the kitchen.‘Somebody has killed a roe-deer,’ he said. ‘Did you see the carcase at the side of the road?’

Bha an seann duine an-fhoiseil, a’ coiseachd air ais ’s air adhart anns a’ chidsin. ‘Tha cuideigin air earb a mharbhadh,’ ars esan. ‘Am faca tu a’ chlosach ri taobh an rathaid?’

I saw you in the morning as I walked to primary school: soaring, twisting, dropping to earth like a stone.

Chunnaic mi thu anns a’ mhadainn fhad ’s a bha mi a’ coiseachd don bhun-sgoil: ag itealachadh gu h-àrd, a’ dol car air char, a’ tuiteam gu talamh mar chloich.

It is just a few minutes before midnight when the rabble breaks into the youth club. There is only one thing on their mind – destruction!

Tha e gu bhith meadhan-oidhche nuair a tha a’ ghràisg a’ briseadh a-steach don chlub òigridh. Chan eil ach aon smaoin air an inntinn – sgrios!

England 1885

When the two guards had left the room, there were only five of us remaining: myself, the prison governor, the medical officer, the executioner and the condemned man.

Sasainn 1885

Nuair a dh’fhàg an dithis fhreiceadan an seòmar, cha robh ach còignear againn ann: mi fhìn, riaghladair a’ phrìosain, an t-oifigear meidigeach, an crochadair agus am fear a bha gu bhith air a chur gu bàs.

He had betrayed her, with that despicable woman. At first, she had wept alone through the daytime. She had been sleepless many nights. But that phase had passed.

Bha e air a brath, a’ gaolaireachd còmhla ris a’ bhoireannach shuarach sin. Aig an toiseach, bhiodh i ri gul na h-aonar tron latha. Is iomadh oidhche a bha i na caithris. Ach chaidh sin seachad.

Edenvale Hospital, 1987. Everyone was talking about the news that Mr Nahir was in love with Dr Ashington.

Ospadal Bhail’ Edein, 1987. Bha an naidheachd gun robh gaol aig Mgr Nahir air an Dr Ashington ann am beul a’ bhaile.

Paris, 1667. Everyone was talking about the news that Monsieur Jean Denis was performing blood transfusions.

Paris, 1667. Bha an naidheachd gun robh Mgr Jean Denis a’ dèanamh leasachaidhean-fala ann am beul a’ bhaile.

Bha mi air an leabhar-iùil a leughadh agus bha fadachd orm gus an rachainn ann. Mu dheireadh thall, bha mi a’ dol air iteal àrd os cionn a’ chuain mhòir, a’ leantainn slighe na grèine chun na h-àirde an iar.