Direct Buying

The internet allows purchases to be made immediately from the most unexpected places. Take Auskerry, for example, the 'eastern sea rocks' of Orkney where one family has farmed for 35 years. Their flock of North Ronaldsay sheep provides a range of fabrics that may be purchased on-line.

Scottish Islands Explorer - providing a range of islands in each edition

A Gnat on the Flannans

This image, courtesy of the Northern Lighthouse Board, shows a Gnat in action on Flannan Isle. Richard Evans explains: 'This three-wheeled vehicle was used by the 'keepers in the 1960s to ferry gas bottles and stores from the landing-stage up the steep incline to the lighthouse. It replaced the trolley running on tramlines along the same track, with ascent and descent controlled by a pulley-guided wire powered by a winch at the top. The tramlines were ripped up and the track smoothed to let the Gnat's small pneumatic tyres run on it. Production of the Gnat - a four-stroke, 400cc, cross-country vehicle by Aimers McLean of Galshiels - began in the late '60s and continued for ten years.'

Scottish Islands Explorer - always devising ways of getting around islands

Postal Outposts

This image 'Towards Hamnaway' comes from the 'back of beyond' at the south-west extremities of the Isle of Lewis. Postmen used to serve the few settlements in these parts and Calum Macaskill, who retired in 1949, walked 42 miles a week during his 47 years delivering, at first, to Hamnaway, and then for many years to Luachair, Kinlochresort and Morsgail Lodge.

Scottish Islands Explorer - subscribers wait for the post to come

One of the Seven Wonders

The Bell Rock Lighthouse has been described as one of the Seven Industrial Wonders of the World. Robert Stevenson built it between 1807-10 on the frequently-submerged Inchcape Reef that is 11 miles off the Angus coast. It is the oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse in the world and some of its integral features have never been replaced during a history that now exceeds 200 years.

Scottish Islands Explorer - dates back to the Year 2000

Island Games

Here is the Orkney team ready to compete in the 14th NatWest Island Games, which was opened on the Isle of Wight yesterday by Lord Coe. 25 island groups are represented by 3000 competitors taking part in 14 sports over six days, beginning today. Full details are to be found on Island Games.

Scottish Islands Explorer - always game for islands

See Area Forecasts

Conditions in the Shipping Forecast Sea Area of Rockall are sometimes benign, as above, but you can't count on them. You can count on looking at many current and prospective aspects through the GFS Weather Charts that come via netweather.tv.  Go to the 'Select chart type' button and in the drop-down menu click onto 'sea level pressure'. The numbers in the boxes above it refer to the hours ahead. Mission Rockall  2011 will during the next five weeks be hoping for high pressure, with the isobars well spaced.

Scottish Islands Explorer -  broadcasting as well as forecasting island conditions

Landing Craft Included

The Island of Shuna, 20 miles south of Oban, has accommodation that includes something rather special as an addtional feature, at no extra cost. Shuna Farm Cottages supply each holiday let with a 19' aluminium-hulled, open-assault craft with a small outboard motor. Each will take six people with ease and enable them to explore around the island and take the 20-minute trip across to the mainland. Life-jackets are provided, but not for standing on the verandah of the Boat House (above).

Scottish Islands Explorer - helps get people around islands

The Nearhouse

If you are looking for a property quite close to Orkney's Brough of Birsay, there is a so-called 'ruinous dwellinghouse' at the nearby Northside of Birsay. It has the fine name of 'The Nearhouse' and can be viewed via The Orkney Property Centre. The small image below gives an impression of the ratios of site, sea and sky.

Scottish Islands Explorer  - tries to be a good buy

Island Dynamics

Next April will see another conference, from the Island Dynamics Organisation, on the ways and means of revitalising personal, social and economic life in island communities. The image above is of the Out Skerries, in the Shetland group, where people earn their livings in a variety of ways. The conference will be held in Saxa Vord on nearby Unst. Read a full account in this Shetland Times article.

Scottish Islands Explorer - will cover the conference

New Ship on the Dock

There's more than a new kid on the block; CalMac has a new ship on the dock. The Kennacraig to Port Issac route between the Mainland to Islay is now served by the £24 million, Polish-built MV Finlaggan. It has a different feel for passengers and many television screens to divert attention from the scenery, but the same hearty food and consistent service. So consider a cruise to Islay by starting with a scrutiny of the CalMac timetables.

Scottish Islands Explorer - taking you between islands