Name Games

There's often confusion about island names. The last of the Small Isles, below Skye, is Hyskeir or Oigh-sgeir - maiden or virgin rock in Gaelic - to the south-west of Canna. Some way to the north are the Monach Islands, which are also known by their Old Norse name - Heisker or bright skerry. They lie about five miles west of North Uist.  Then there's Haskeir or wild skerry some eight miles west of the Sound of Harris. It's pictured here by Nigel Winn whose article on this 'reclusive' outpost will be appearing in the September / October 2011 issue. He runs Island Expeditions

Scottish Islands Explorer - where the Hyskeirs, Heiskeirs & Hasgeirs feel at home

Light Cast on Old Norse

Shetland place-names mainly derive from the Old Norse language of the Viking settlers. The Out Skerries are only 200 miles away from Norway. Skerry comes from sker - a rocky islet or reef. Out derives from both austr, meaning east, and utsker, referring to outer.  Locally the small group is referred to as Da Skerries - not to be confused with Ve Skerries, some eight miles to the north-west of Papa Stour on the other side of Shetland., with the ve coming from the word for west. The Ve Skerries Lighthouse (above) was constructed and completed as recently as 1979.

Scottish Islands Explorer - where place-names proliferate

Ash Analysed

Iceland's Grimsvotn volcano is being investigated from far and wide. The Edinburgh-based, British Geological Survey, appealed to members of the public to send in what they considered to be samples of ash. A scanning electron microscope revealed that this pollen-sized particle (above) submitted by Kirkwall Grammar School, Orkney, had come from the volcano to a part of Britain that's relatively close to its source. Read more on these volcanic particles.

Scottish Islands Explorer - has a wider circulation than this volcanic ash

Breaking Out .... and Bagging

Spare a thought for Seumas Morrison, who runs Sea Harris and operates sea cruises. For most of May he has been unable, owing to adverse weather conditions, to take parties to their Hebridean destinations. His 'Islands Bagging' trip - planned for the last two days of this month is fully-booked and prospective passengers look forward to seeing and landing on some of the following: Soay, Shillay, The Monachs, Boreray, Killegray, Ensay, Hermetray, Tahay, Flodday Mhor, Ronay, Wiay, Scotasay and Eilean Liubhaird. Sheep may be restricted to fanks, such as these on St Kilda (above); humans want out ... and fast !

Scottish Islands Explorer - where island-baggers feel wanted

From Zero to Hero on Orkney

Edwin Harrold, from Stenness,Orkney, died in 2005, but his legacy gives pleasure to many. From 1948, he took an unnoticed piece of land, comprising boggy hillside, and quietly cultivated it. His 'Happy Valley' - originally called 'Bankburn' - became a miniature forest with 700 trees, glades and paths for visitors to use. Continued access is assured. Read more via the BBC - about a part of Orkney that is rather rare, woodland.

Scottish Islands Explorer - a magazine that encourages access

Going to Extremes

Some people go to extremes and Andy Strangeway is one of those who loves doing so. He and his fellow-travellers have recently trained in Orkney in preparation for their impending trip to that extremity of the British isles, Rockall. All berths have been taken and the expedition will be followed keenly by island-watchers. Join the action - from the comfort of a computer chair - via Rockall.

Scottish Islands Explorer - also ready to go to the ends of the British Isles

Off-shore, on-line, in Skye on a September Saturday

The Celeste, a glittering sailing boat made up of 60,000 inch-square mirror tiles, will be sailing into Portree on Saturday 10 September and cruising purposefully around the coast of Skye. It will be broadcasting songs, stories and suggestions - via the local radio station, Cuillin FM - to people tuned in on-shore. The intention is to create interest in arts and events as well as to re-create the excitement of the 1960s pirate radio era when ships broadcast from moorings off-shore around the UK and Ireland. Internet connections can access local radio which, in turn, becomes world-wide. Further details will follow.

Scottish Islands Explorer - tries to get around the islands as well

Community Buyout Contested

The Community Buyouts that have taken place so far in the Highlands & Islands have been unopposed. The proposed Pairc Trust's Community Buyout is being contested by the landowner. Details are on the website of the Pairc Trust - an organisation which is appealing for financial assistance. Please look into this - for the future of the attractive South Lochs area of Lewis is being shaped. The image above is of the Ravenspoint Visitors' Centre at Kershader, a focal point on the Estate.

Scottish Islands Explorer - supporting island communities

Really Getting Away

The Islands Book Trust enables people to learn about and visit many places in and around Scotland. On Friday 10 & Saturday 11 June the focus of attention will be on Sula Sgeir (above) and on North Rona (below).  A programme of informative events will be held in Ness, at the top end of Lewis, and, weather permitting, trips will be made to these islands. There is an annual guga-hunting expedition to Sula Sgeir where men stay in a bothy. North Rona was inhabited for many centuries - including when St Ronan established one of the oldest places of worship in Britain, in the 8th Century. An unfortunate end to one, albeit temporary, settlement came with the only two inhabitants dying, probably in the winter months of 1884-85. More images are available through the Lonely Isles website and Northern Light Charters.

Scottish Islands Explorer - covering even the most distant places

A Grand Trip for Under a Grand

Scottish Islands Explorer magazine is able to offer two tickets for a grand  trip to Canna, Mingulay, St Kilda and The Shiants for £999 each. It's for nine days from 25 June - 4 July 2011 and is with a reputable company that regularly sails from Oban to the Islands and beyond. These photographs of St Kilda by the National Geographic magazine photographer, Jim Richardson, provide inspiration as well, perhaps, as the aspirations to go. Don't delay, for here is a genuine offer with the usual price discounted by over 25%.  Contact editor@scottishislandsexplorer.com for full details.

Scottish Islands Explorer - offering you more than a read