Skye Shot

This fine blue-grey image of Skye from Lynne Kennedy Photography appears on Twitter and comes via the West Highland Free Press.

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Total Supplies

There's an occasional irony in timing - for when the Total innovators of the Laggan and Tormore gas fields first planned extractions, the price of fuel on the world markets was sky high. That no longer applies. However, the depths of the sea in the area to the west of Shetland - more the North Atlantic Ocean than the North Sea - started to provide significant amounts, starting yesterday. 8% of the UK requirements should be met. The BBC has the full story.

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A School Imported

Going back to school on a Monday gives some pupils reservations, but facilities have improved over the years. Here's a reminder of what things could be like. There were 47 residents on Isle Martin, Loch Broom, Ullapool, in 1891 and by 1925 it was felt that the 'old school' needed replacing. So a hut from nearby Strahain was imported to the island and here was the 'new school'. It lasted until 1949 when the island became depopulated. The photograph of pupils, taken in the 1940s, below may be purchased from Ullapool Museum which re-opens for the new season on 25 March.

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Visualising the North

Note the conference flyer as well as the dates before clicking onto the details of Visualising the North. There's plenty on offer for a Spring break for you at the 3rd International St Magnus Conference.

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Happy to Move?

Yesterday's item drew attention to the 'happiness factor' evident in the Scottish islands. So if it motivates you to consider buying a property to become a resident, an hotelier or a renovator, then consider a house being presented at a reported £40k below market value in Lemreway, South Lochs, Lewis;

an hotel with six bedrooms for a figure in excess of £365k in Pierowall, Westray;

and the lowest figure found in searches today, the requested invitation for offers over £20k for North Banks, Papa Stour, with a closing date of 25 February.

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The Search for Happiness

Those who search for happiness should consider the researches of a team working at the National Office for Statistics. Their findings for the UK put island groups in the top positions for this attribute among residents. See the Stornoway Gazette for details. Pictured here are two places to consider - just a few miles apart as the crow (or whatever flies).  Above is Garyvard ('the poet's garden') and Kershader in the South Lochs of Lewis. Scenery, neighbours, a good road, shop, cafe and 24-hour petrol at the Ravenspoint Centre. Below is Eishken, with a large house, massive estate, fishing  and ... no neighbours in any direction.

 

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Tagon Goes Lower

Tagon Stores at Voe, Shetland, has a reputation for being innovative. Almost four years ago their former owners reduced petrol to a then unbelievably low price. Today the same stunt is being repeated and the price quoted above is being beaten, but it's just for today. Go to Shetland News for the story and consider how the volume of water at Lower Voe (below) dwarfs the capacity of the two Tagon tanks, each with their 4000 litre capacity. Hurry along!

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Nacreous Clouds

Nacreous or mother-of-pearl clouds are usually to be seen in the Arctic and Antarctic as well as above Iceland and Scandinavia. Yesterday they featured in different parts of Britain. Those above are over Whitley Bay, Northumberland, and appeared in the Daily Mail. Those in The Orcadian were photographed by Jenny McElroy from Stenness, Orkney. It so often pays to look up.

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Site at Sleat

Sleat, Skye, looks empty from this image, but there are 180 residents and they look forward to the completion - by Easter 2017 - of their £1.9 million community hub. The first sod was cut on the site last month and was reported in the West Highland Free Press.

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One Thing After Another

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Storm Gertrude leaves Shetland quietly and in comes ... snow. Reports (from Shetland News) come in about treacherous conditions despite these somewhat idyllic photographs. The one above above is not a current image, but from a Daily Mail feature during Easter; the one below of Lerwick, from Sea Road looking towards Hillhead/Scalloway Road, is from the gallery of Ben Mullay and was taken on 23 February 2010.

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