A ferry company had to charter a special boat to stop a new teacher and her family from being marooned on a remote island for New Year.
When Laura Marriner landed the job to teach just eight children on Muck, she knew life would not be easy.
The teacher, who previously worked with Hampshire County Council, started her new post in early November.
The 31-year-old, her husband Dean, and young children Charlie and Atticus boosted the population of the island by about 10% when they arrived.
The Marriners were planning to travel 700 miles back to Hampshire to see in the New Year, but their hopes looked like being storm bound.
For two weeks normal Caledonian MacBrayne ferries to the Hebridean island had been cancelled because of the weather which included storms Barbara and Conor.
But with time running out to make to the mainland in time for Hogmanay – and the swell too much for its own ferry – CalMac chartered a small passenger vessel from Mallaig to take off a dozen islanders, including the Marriners.
“The trouble was the boat they chartered, The Vanguard, was only licensed to take 12 people and 14 wanted to get off,” said Mrs Jenny MacEwan, whose family own Muck.
“So two stayed behind and we are hoping they will get off on Saturday. We had had no boats or deliveries for two weeks – food supplies were ok, but the smokers were getting a bit anxious!
“The weather has been horrendous.
“The Marriners have certainly have had a real introduction to what life can be like here.”
On their social media page, the family said: “We made it to the mainland!
“After missing ferries for a fortnight, Calmac chartered a passenger boat and after a choppy crossing we made it back to Mallaig. Heading down to Hampshire for New Year!”
Nearly 60 people applied for the job that was landed by Mrs Marriner.