Jonathan: Lashed by late autumnal gales that are forecast to continue for several days, the Uist landscape is reduced to its barest essentials – rock and water, beaten-down grasses, rush and heather. Yet amongst these the hardiest species still bravely set forth their flowers: ragwort and some form of umbellifra hold their heads up on behalf of the natives; escallonia and veronica put on a show for the incomers. But welcome though these are, this is the season for those indoor tasks for which in high summer we scarce had time to think about, let alone actually do: spinning and weaving, overhaul of websites, taking stock and exploring new ideas. And at Carrick and Askernish, redecorating, repairs and improvements that will continue off and on – between occasional winter lettings – until early Spring next year.