IN 1957 a tragedy on Loch Etive was narrowly averted. The regular mail boat taking mail, milk and farm supplies to the scattered houses in the far reaches of the loch, was towing a small barge loaded with hay.
Sandy, who was 13 at the time, was helping his dad, who skippered the boat, by keeping the loaded barge secure while they sailed up the loch. Why Sandy fell in is not clear, but as a non-swimmer at the time, it was only the quick reactions of Ben Holland and his dad that enabled a timely rescue. Sandy later became a competent swimmer and years later enjoyed sea swimming on his many holidays abroad with his wife Deirdre.