Landscape Textures

The landscapes of Scotland and its islands have textures that are both remarkable and captured by photographer, Simon Nicholas White (below). A trip to his Gallery will show you what's on offer, but not always detected by the human eye, at surface level. His camera lens has a way of exposing matter.

Scottish Islands Explorer - also tries to expose surface details.

Speaking Apart

The Old Man of Hoy (above) is not given to words, but were he, then undoubtedly there would be differences in his speech patterns. For where people lead lives with a degree of separation from the mainstream, then dialect quickly becomes apparent. This is explored by Tom Rendall in a series of lectures that he is giving on Orkney.

It has been pointed out that the photograph below - originally used to illustrate this item - is not the Old Man of Hoy. Can anyone identify the location of this stack, please?

 Scottish Islands Explorer - cherishes differences

Zoom onto Bass

A visit to the Bass Rock is not always possible for, although relatively close to the shore, it is not straightforward to reach. However, 24/7 access is possible through the webcams situated there and presented by the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick, Take a trip, now.

Scottish Islands Explorer - getting around, effortlessly

That Ultimate Beach

There can be few beaches in the UK with the appeal of Luskentyre on South Harris. Its sea, sand and setting are captured here by Craig Aitchison whose book - The Highlands - Light and Land  - is due out later in the Spring.

Scottish Islands Explorer - capturing island images

Observe the Law

The work of Frances Law will be on show, in an exhibition entitled Beyond Appearance at the Park Gallery, Callendar House, Callendar Park,  Falkirk from Saturday 3 - Tuesday 20 March. The details are to be found here.

Scottish Islands Explorer - also tries to get beyond appearances.

Pumping Prime Numbers

This petrol pump, on Coll, does not have the same appeal as the one at Voe on Shetland. Here there is to be a special promotion involving the lowering of prices on days chosen by lottery. The paradox of high fuel prices in places where crude oil comes ashore is being countered.

Scottish Islands Explorer - has risen in price by some 28% in the last 12 years

The Lewis Man

Clicking on this cover may not be effective, but try acquiring Peter May's The Lewis Man - the sequel to his The Blackhouse. It has won acclaim as a novel vividly conveying the authentic atmosphere and condition of island people, places and powerful forces. It was published last month and will become the middle book in a triology.  Click here, however, for an effective, vivid trailer.

Scottish Islands Explorer - looking at facts; keen on fiction

Surf into Spring

Get ahead of the seasons by taking the season's first surf sessions on Lewis this coming Saturday, 25 February.  If you are keen on participation go to SurfLewis, if you are content with observation, just look below and wonder.

Scottish Islands Explorer - ready for Spring and actions therein.

Trees on Their Way

Rowan or mountain ash, together with sycamore, birch, pine and spruce, will be appearing shortly on ... South Uist. Oxfam is among the groups providing the funding for 20,000 saplings to be planted on this island, better known for its machair, marram and mountains. The name rowan comes from the proto-Germanic word raudnian meaning 'getting red' which, of course, refers to its foliage and berries of Autumn. The Old Norse shortened it to raun, while the Gaelic linguistic tradition developed it as caorann or rudha-an, with the latter pronounced as the English rowan.

Scottish Islands Explorer - obviously has a vested interest in trees

Lise on Tour

The work of George Mackay Brown(above) has inspired Fair Isle artiste and poet, Lise Sinclair (below), to take her work and band places. Next month's tour will be from Fair Isle to Lerwick, and then on to Edinburgh before ending in Reykjavik, Iceland. Its journey reflects the blend and traditions of Scottish and Nordic cultures as they are still lived today.

Scottish Islands Explorer - on shelves wherever Scottish interests are found