Writes of Way

One man and his dog on an island, with another in the distance, spells satisfaction for many. However, the man is Peter Edwards and his blog, Writes of Way, gives pleasure to many more. Follow in his steps.

Scottish Islands Explorer - records at least two explorers here

New Boat off the Blocks

A Yell fishing partnership has purchased a new, replacement whitefish trawler, the Guardian Angell, from a Whitby boat-builder. It has completed trials, sailed to Lerwick and arrived in Cullivoe, Yell, last Thursday. In the fishroom some 750 LHD are stored, ready to be filled from the recently stock-replenished waters around Shetland. Read more in Shetland News.

Scottish Islands Explorer - no catch with this publication

A Glorious Gallery

Here is the first image - of the Isle of May - in the BBC's 'Your Pictures of Scotland' series. Do take them in for there's much to see.

Scottish Islands Explorer - where readers often know the locations

The BFG Locations

The topography of The Shiants can look daunting and the islands' only house welcoming and friendly. Apparently the crew for the new Steven Spielberg film, The BFG, have been on location discreetly on and / or above Skye, Orkney and The Shiants. Read about it in The Scotsman.

Scottish Islands Explorer - The SIE covered these areas before The BFG

Safe and Sound

The crew of ten rowing to Faroe in the Avalon had a difficult start in their journey from Scrabster, Caithness, with an enforced stop at Stromness, Orkney. They reached home earlier this week and a report has appeared in The Orcadian. Absorb what happened.

Scottish Islands Explorer - energy is expended on the publication, but not in proportion

A Stunning Newsletter

Take delivery of a stunning Summer Newsletter by clicking on and enjoying the work of Ruth Fairbrother and Peter Leeming. You will be transported to the Outer Hebrides and beyond.

 Scottish Islands Explorer - combines reality with the abstract

Summit Ambitions for Many

Conditions are seldom perfect to land on Soay (above) in the St Kilda Group, but here's a chance to see whether it's possible. A planned three-day trip and two-night camping trip will involve attempts to climb to the summits of Hirta, Dun, Boreray and Soay (with close-up trips to Stac Lee and Stac an Armin) - at a suitable time between Sunday 13 and Saturday 19 September. There are still places available on the Seatrek boat going out of Uig, Lewis, and the cost is a very reasonable £290 plus £10 per night camping (with own supplies of food having to be carried). A £50 deposit secures a place and the £240 is payable to the skipper on return to port. So secure now or learn more by contacting Alan Holmes asap.

Scottish Islands Explorer - plenty of opportunities, virtual and real

Fly High

Benbecula has much to offer. At ground level, residents are concerned about maintaining the beauty of the island - read the Stornoway Gazette report. For those wanting to get on there's the Benbecula Campus and for anyone wanting to fly high above it - at least in simulation - there's the FSX Benbecula Airport Scenery.

Scottish Islands Explorer - aware of opportunities to see and learn

Pink in Demand

The last week of July saw at least two more takeovers of British companies. Nikkei, the Japanese media giant, bought the Financial Times and Cooke Aquaculture, the Canadian salmon farm operators, purchased Thompson Bros Salmon Ltd based in Yell. The Shetland company will now be part of a group with operations on Unst and the Mainland as well as places with Scottish connections - Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Maine. Pink products certainly have continuing appeal.

Scottish Islands Explorer - waiting for an overseas offer

Tour of Jura

The west coast of Jura covers a remote, virtually uninhabited area that is pictured here, but the eastern side has the island road and this has been given the google-treatment. Take the tour and see as well as steer for yourself.

Scottish Islands Explorer - encourages getting around