Swona at Short Notice

The abandoned island of Swona is a compelling place. Opportunities to visit are rare, but there could be spaces available on a day-trip from Burray (Orkney Mainland) organised by Richard Clubley tomorrow - Wednesday 11 June. Twelve people are needed to fill the boat and for some it will be fulfilling an ambition just to get there. A call to 07981 815709 will provide you with up-to-date information about availability on a craft far different from this one marooned by those who left the island.

The islanders left their cattle grazing and over the years the herd became feral. Here is a case of visitors and residents keeping well apart, tomorrow.

Please pass on the news of this trip to friends and contacts who may be interested.

Scottish Islands Explorer - a chance to people an abandoned isle, for a day

Work Underway

There's a long, long trail ahead for Chris Harris (above), project manager of the northern section of the Hebridean Way. He is considering, planning and supervising the prospective routes of the long-distance footpath that will, eventually, stretch from Vatersay and Barra to Stornoway and the Butt of Lewis. A Stornoway Gazette item focuses on a choice ahead that involves either a seaward path skirting Balallan and reaching the Pentland Road via Achmore or an inland stretch to Morsgail and coming close to Callanish. A look at the map shows that both will be rigorous and one particularly remote. Completion prospects for the Way are in 2016.

Scottish Islands Explorer - accustomed to trails and trials

Orkney Buffalo

Today - Sunday 8 June - is an Open Day at Schoolhouse Farm, Deerness, Orkney, where members of the Bremner family are inviting the public to meet their herd of Asian water buffalo and flock of Jacob sheep. See what's on via The Orcadian item.

Scottish Islands Explorer - finds surprising events in distant places

Remaining on Rockall

There's one man on Rockall at present and that is Nick Hancock. He hopes to be there for the next 60 days. We are remaining on the islet for a third day, this time in the company of Fraser MacDonald who has written an interesting account of the piece of rock where 'empire meets exploration'. Go there and read it via The Guardian.

Scottish Islands Explorer - where publishing meets the peripheral

Home on Hall's Ledge

An officer in the Royal Navy, Basil Hall, made the first recorded landing on Rockall - on 8 July ... 1810 or 1811. The year is contested by historians, but the naming of the islet's only flat section - measuring 11'x 4' - took place when the tiny volcanic plug was annexed by the United Kingdom on 15 September 1955. Hall's Ledge will, all being well, be home to Nick Hancock for the next two months. Details appear in a report in The Guardian and the ledge is clearly visible a few feet from the summit.

Scottish Islands Explorer - large coverage, small production, area

Ultimate Outpost for LPG?

Calor is the main distributor in the UK of LPG - liquefied petroleum gas - and is keen to see its product available throughout the British isles, including the most remote of them all, Rockall. It is a sponsor of Nick Hancock (below) who is also keen to renew his attempt to remain solo on the rock for a record time. Follow what's happening now through a Stornoway Gazette item. A few other intrepid adventurers have survived on the volcanic plug for comparatively long stays and some, like the radio ham below, have taken equipment to make contact, but not to remain for a duration.

Scottish Islands Explorer - keen to cover Calor venture

Open and Ready

The Sumburgh Head Lighthouse came back to life, officially, yesterday with the opening of its new facilities by HRH The Princess Royal. Read all about the Visitors' Centre - where the Northern Lighthouse Board built a famous installation, the RSPB created a nature reserve and the Government decreed it a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Scottish Islands Explorer - another hub for exploration

Impressive Images

The St Kilda to Skye row has been completed and a BBC News - In Pictures item presents a series of images which capture the excitement of the crossing.

Scottish Islands Explorer - also waits for calm conditions

Today's the Day

Things look quiet enough at a lochan near Miavaig, North Harris, but on Saturday 14 June

there will be much activity on the road from Stornoway and the track to Bowglas when the Hebridean Cycle Challenge takes place.

Whether you wish to take part in the cycling, running or walking sections, today - Monday 2 June - is the day to fill out the entry form. Go to the Challenge website in order to register.

Scottish Islands Explorer - as a bi-monthly, on an eight-week cycle

Jutland Commemorated

Yesterday was the 98th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland when 6000 British and 2500 German sailors were killed and 14 and 11 of their ships lost or destroyed beyond repair. Despite these figures, the Royal Navy continued to command the seas. Information panels were opened at the Lyness Cemetery at Hoy, Orkney, as part of a project by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Some of the details are on the website of The Orcadian, which introduces the topic with the somewhat eerie headline of 'Interactive displays at Lyness cemetery'.

Scottish Islands Explorer - futuristic ways of recalling past events