Here They Come

Last week there was a report of a lone Basking shark off the Summer Isles. Yesterday came the news that there were some 25 sharks and a pod of 15 Minke whales off Galen Head in north-west Lewis. They were spotted from the Seatrek craft carrying would-be wildlife watchers. Copious supplies of plankton had attracted and pleased the marine creatures which, in turn, attracted and delighted the observers. A case of satisfaction all round! The details are in the Stornoway Gazette.

Scottish Islands Explorer - tries to attract as well

The Search of Scapa

The search of Scapa Flow for the two divers who, last week, failed to return from exploring the wreck of the German battleship, the Brummer, produced these images. There is something compelling about the dimensions of this stretch of water where a whole fleet was scuttled and where modern technological devices are dwarfed by the demands of the task of focusing and finding. Read something about the search at ONT - Orkney News Today.

Scottish Islands Explorer - always searching

Psalmody in Back

The Free Church of Scotland at Back, Isle of Lewis, has been refurbished. Above are members of the congregation gathering for a recent Communion and below is the perspective from the eye of the preacher or precentor. The latter leads the unaccompanied singing of the Gaelic Psalms and a five-minute long excerpt from them is available here. Exclusive Psalmody is where the singing in church is based completely on the 150 Old Testament  Psalms and with which there is no use of musical instruments, except the human voice. It is practised in the various world-wide denominations of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. An account of the recent changes at Back appears in the Stornoway Gazette.

Scottish Islands Explorer - also likes to listen to Rhapsody in Blue

Schools Hebridean Society

This campsite was one of many set up by members of the Schools Hebridean Society which introduced  young people to the islands for over 20 years from 1962. It had its leaders, assistants, followers and devotees. Memories are countless, but there were comparatively few articles published about the Society. However, its records are intact and proving a source of reference on its website. The blog of Vince Smith, Crest of a Wave, carries some evocative photographs (such as the one below) and personal reflections on the Society that are worth reading.

Scottish Islands Explorer - SHS articles appear in the last three issues of 2011

Sign of Summer?

The coldest Spring in 50 years is coming to an end, although this could herald a bitter Summer. One creature, in fact from second largest fish size variety in the world, the basking shark, appeared in northern waters on Wednesday last. Where was it? The Summer Isles, of course. This group has been much in the news recently with the estate agent being busy on Tanera Mor. So now can be added as a selling point, relatively warm waters. This photograph was taken from the deck of the Summer Queen, along the coast from Achiltibuie.

Scottish Islands Explorer - keen to see significant summer sales

Dalmore for Action

Here's an archetypal beach profile which attracts people of all ages, attitudes and activities.

Children are drawn to paddle and then realise that the waves hold pleasure and promote skills.

None more so than surfing. If you are in the area, consider SurfLewis and their lessons, company and venues - such as Dalmore Beach, featured in each of these images. Rodney Jamieson, 'Cheggs' to friends, started surfing off Lewis some 17 years ago, during a February. He was both freezing ... and hooked. In June (when much warmer) 2009, he started SurfLewis. Give him the opportunity to share his passion and, possibly, extend your enthusiasm for waves by taking up the surface water sport. By the way, there's a session at 14.00 today. Hurry up, for yesterday's conditions were excellent.

Scottish Islands Explorer - endeavours to extend enthusiasms

Rockall Recalled

Nick Hancock (below) is on his way to Rockall in order to begin an endurance feat of attempting to live there longer than the 26 May - 4 July spell undertaken by Tom McClean in 1985. The image above is of the preparations for securing his accommodation 28 years ago. It's worth recalling that the rock has attracted attention for many years as indicated in an archive from The Guardian. The Atlantic Ocean certainly appealed to McClean who rowed it single-handed for the first time in 1969 and still holds the record with a 54-day crossing made in 1987. Survival experts are a world apart from most of us, although today's blog enters a significant stage, being the 750th consecutive one.

Scottish Islands Explorer - a survivor in the waters of publishing

Answers from Auskerry

This picture, taken at dawn, of  the lighthouse at Auskerry ('the east skerries'), three miles to the south of Stronsay in Orkney, indicates both mist and mystery. The same family has lived alone on the island for 35 years, become largely self-sufficient and developed a business. Take a look at their website with details of products that are on sale as well something of the background of this venture. Ten questions about the ways of life on the island are put to the mother of the family, Teresa Probert, in an interview. Her answers reveal some of the experiences of doing things differently. The image below is of the North Ronaldsay breed of sheep and, in particular, moorit (a brown variety) wethers (castrated males) from the island.

Scottish Islands Explorer - enjoys the varieties of people's experience

Numbers That Add Up

Stuart Linklater, featured on the BBC website, is 60 years of age today and will retire from flying his Britten-Norman Islander aircraft on the Loganair routes around the Orkney Islands. During his career he has logged 1.3 million miles and completed the world's shortest scheduled flight, between Westray and Papa Westray, some 12,000 times. The two-minute, 1.7 mile trip has several YouTube recordings, some actual and some simulated. This one is by Seth Miller. The airport terminal building below has a standard look, but for aircraft enthusiasts it has special significance.

Scottish Islands Explorer - takes off every two months

Islands ... of Course

The authorities at the University of the Highlands and Islands have devised a course about the islands in their vicinity and some beyond. Take a look at the perspectives of this Postgraduate Course and see what you think. Where would you say the islands above are situated?

Scottish Islands Explorer - a course of words and images every eight weeks