Just Look Up

Yesterday's advice was 'to concentrate' and the item happened to use a Northern Lights image. It came as a surprise to learn that the Aurora Borealis could be witnessed yesterday throughout parts of the UK from Shetland to Jersey. Here is the BBC website page on the spectacle as well as the way in which The Orcadian covered the happenings in and around Rousay. Worth taking a chance again and just ... look up.

Scottish Islands Explorer - aware and aroused

Just Concentrate

Whether you are wondering about the future, witnessing the Northern Lights, working out what to do next, wandering into memories of the past, the secret is to concentrate. If you want to return to previous days and events on the Isle of Lewis, click onto the Back in the Day slideshow through the Stornoway Gazette.

Scottish Islands Explorer - reviews and records

Snappy Landings

The Daily Mail has compiled views of 26 airports throughout the world. They are all linked by that special element, the unusual approach. One that is featured, of course, is Barra - where sand and water have not combined to produce concrete.

Scottish Islands Explorer - tries a variety of approaches

Past Post Path

It's now over 25 years since the Postman's Path, Rhenigidale, had to be used professionally - after the Land Rover track and then the road were opened to the remote North Harris settlement. However, it continues to draw people, including Mick Blunt, of Hidden Hebrides, who gives this account in the Stornoway Gazette.

Scottish Islands Explorer - a postage stamp could have provided great value then

Colonsay Conference

It is not difficult to see why Colonsay attracts a high number of returners to visit and stay. From 6 - 9 June The Islands Book Trust will be holding a Conference on and about the island. Places are limited and so consider carefully, book early and anticipate keenly.

Scottish Islands Explorer - always ready to cover Colonsay

Exposure

The lens of the camera photographing the archaeological site at Deerness shows the compactness of the Orkney area being uncovered and the proximity of the sea. The recent storms have created more exposure and this is revealed in the current issue of The Economist. It's a tale of how the past is being brought to life one moment and being in danger of destruction the next.

Scottish Islands Explorer - attempts to record and preserve

Smile, Please

It will have to be iPlayer to watch the BBC Alaba programme on the discovery of glass negative plates relating to the life, times and work of Dr Norman Morrison of Shawcross, Lewis. They certainly give insights into the profiles of people and families of over a century ago. See more in the Stornoway Gazette and read the full magazine-article on the topic, by Euan Ferguson, which appears in today's edition of The Obeserver. What would these individuals above have made of our modern techniques of presentation?

Scottish Islands Explorer - how will it be regarded in 2114?

Mouth-watering March

Savouring in the Spring, with plans for a major Orkney Food Festival towards the end of March. Read something about it in The Orcadian ... or just take in the images above and below.

Scottish Islands Explorer - knows where to focus ... on food

Rescued on Raasay

This type of gully, on Raasay, is no place for man or beast to become stranded. When Jan, a sheepdog, was unable to extract itself, the Portree lifeboat was called and all was well. The Stornoway Gazette has the story.

Scottish Islands Explorer - explorers sometimes present problems

You Can See Why

We sometimes have hazy notions of why we are attracted to a place and then it becomes clear. People are drawn to islands and TripAdvisor enquired as to which ones particularly appealed. Lewis and Harris were rated top by those who responded. This transition from abstract feelings to definite selections is expressed by two of the images (a 'sea- plus land-scape' and of Toe Head)  taken in the Outer Hebrides by Ruth Fairbrother.

Scottish Islands Explorer - always drawn by the impact and images of islands