Ceud Mìle Fàilte
Thank you for dropping-by, I hope you enjoy your visit. The main content is to be found in the blog, where I discuss everything and anything, but, topics including: photography, nature, technology, food, movies, music, politics, and life in the Highlands of Scotland, make regular appearances.
I commonly write reviews of movies (or films, if you prefer). Some movie reviews are short, others will be discussed in more detail. The scope covered will be mainly mainstream English language movies from the 1930s until the present day.
About me
My name is Iain MacDonald, and I live in the Highlands of Scotland (although I have lived elsewhere in the past). I use Fitheach as my online pseudonym, on this website, on Mastodon, and on Matrix. I am a big fan of Free & Open Source Software, which I use both professionally and at home.
Computing and technology tend to infuse themselves into my other interests, as once you learn some skills in one area it is convenient to use them to solve problems in other spheres.
When not tinkering with computers, I am likely to be found repairing things because living in the countryside you learn to be resourceful.
Of course, man doesn't live by SSH tunnels and kerosene vapour burners alone, so, food, as a subject, makes regular appearances, too.
My latest Life articles
My most recent ramblings can be found in the Life section.
My latest Mastodon posts
Mastodon is a microblogging app that is part of the decentralised web known as The Fediverse. See this article for more details.
Fitheach
Sun, 07 Jun 2026 14:15:40 +0000
In the meantime, I decided to get my old HP LaserJet 4000 printer working.
I have a nice, clean 4050, which "prints" blank pages. The problem is that a little plastic lever that opens the laser shutter was broken. In the process of trying to unscrew the printer covers I broke several other small plastic doodahs. 
I had an old 4000 with a broken fuser unit. I took the fuser out of the 4050 put it into the 4000, and replaced the manual feed tray.
It now works! 
Sun, 07 Jun 2026 14:01:09 +0000
Compiling from source isn't straightforward, either. The makefile was written long before the library locations were totally changed. That'll take a while to re-write.
Sun, 07 Jun 2026 11:54:37 +0000
I actually wanted to post their #1 song "The Combine Harvester", but, this song is even more appropriate for this thread, considering the title.
"The Tractor Song"
The Wurzels
No tractor in the video. However, there is a cute dog. 😃
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ry39b
Sun, 07 Jun 2026 11:32:53 +0000
I should get some of these stickers, as I want a Free Scotland, too. 😃
Sun, 07 Jun 2026 08:20:39 +0000
I do love tractors! 😃
This monster was parked next to me. It is a Massey Ferguson 8740S with some add-ons, including that front mounted winch. Secondhand these units sell for between £100-150k. The add-ons would push the price up.
I got talking to the owner. The MF is being used for forestry ground clearance work.
To give a sense of scale, the rear tyres are about two metres high.
#Highlands #Scotland #forestry #tractor
Sat, 06 Jun 2026 20:37:11 +0000
I've just heard that footie fans in one of my local villages (there are two) are meeting in the community hall to watch all of Scotland's World Cup matches, including the first one at 2am. 😮
#Highlands #Scotland #WorldCup #football