Lifestyle Differences

Holy Island, off Arran, attracts visitors to its Centre for World Peace and Health at which Tibetan Buddhist traditions are practised and encouraged. Activities on the island have not always been so serene - for the naval anchorages used in the First World War can still be observed because the large mooring buoys have survived for a century. At one time it was considered a feat of strength and endurance for young men to swim the short, but treacherous, distance from Kings Cross Point to the jetty at the south of the island. A practice not to be encouraged.

Scottish Islands Explorer - also presents choices

Three Key-Words

Interest is aroused in a project involving three key-words: 'Tidal - Power - Bridge'. The possible site for this scheme to produce a valuable resource from a local feature and link two islands is Bluemell Sound, Shetland. So in years to come a bridge between Yell and Unst could be dynamic as well as connecting. Read more about the early stages of the project in Shetland News.

Scottish Islands Explorer - tries to connect with a certain dynamic

Cine Recall

Yesterday's item on the Military Cinemas brought a response from a regular blog reader, Richard Clubley. He provides today's piece with a photograph, taken a couple of years ago, of the former front and foyer entrance of the Flotta Cinema and of a life-long island resident, David Sinclair, who was eight-years of age when the Second World War started. David recalls being smuggled by servicemen into the cinema to watch films. By 1945 he was 14 and the action, both on- and off-screen, was over.

Scottish Islands Explorer - active, not abandoned; seen, rarely smuggled

Military Cinemas

Some military service was packed with action and danger; some was sedentary and safer. Second World War postings to Orkney tended to fall into the latter category. The troops needed entertainment and so garrisons, airfields and naval bases were often equipped with facilities. Here is the Garrison Cinema (above) in Lyness, Hoy; and the Flotta Cinema across Scapa Flow. Both are featured on the website Scottish Military Cinemas and these relics will undoubtedly provide recollections to just a few readers.

Scottish Islands Explorer - tends to look for scenery, not seats

Pier Problems

The residents of North Ronaldsay are alarmed about the way in which their pier at Nouster has deteriorated during the winter gales. Delicate manoeuvres have been needed and, on occasions, additional air services provided.

This photograph of the pier, with the MV Earl Thorfinn docking, was taken in 1960. Conditions appear to be halcyon, but the structures took the same battering on the exposed shores of the Orkney island.

Bewan Pier, at the north end of the island, offers no alternative. It was where the lighthouse supplied were landed. The Orcadian has the details of the current difficulties at the main harbour, close to The Bird Observatory.

Scottish Islands Explorer - shipping copies is certainly less arduous

It's Friday ... for Fish

It's Friday ... when fish and chips come to mind ... and those who know Shetland will think of Frankie's. This award-winning fish-and-chip establishment at Brae has secured another accolade in the eco-label category. Savour these images and then click onto the item in Shetland News.

Scottish Islands Explorer - needs an article on such island interests

New for Old

Here is the old MV Loch Seaforth which carried passengers, vehicles and freight on the Stornoway - Kyle of Lochalsh - Mallaig rouyte from 1947-72. Joan Murray, the eldest daughter of the late Captain John Smith, named the new Loch Seaforth at a ceremony in Flensburg, Germany, last Friday. A video of the launch is available through the Stornoway Gazette.

Scottish Island Explorer - next issue to be launched on 18 April

Puffins Will Be There

Puffins will be waiting for visitors to the 2014 Shetland Nature Festival - from 5 - 11 July. The events will include presentations by teams from Our Dynamic Earth and the Clipperton Project. The former will be examining moving plates and earthquakes; the latter moving around on a floating laboratory at various locations. Shetland News has the details and the link to the programme of dates and events.

Scottish Islands Explorer - constantly moving around from island to island

Barrier Watch

Weather conditions on the Churchill Barriers, linking Orkney Mainland with its Southern Isles, can change from the benign to the battering. From last night it has become possible to monitor matters via the webcam services of Orkan Adventures. It's a hi-tech form of keeping a weather-eye open.

Scottish Islands Explorer - also employs a variety of ways of watching

Educational Conveyor

The closure of the Bressay Primary School, Shetland, means that from later in the year all island pupils of school-age will be using the ferry to reach their schools in Lerwick. The daily lives of four children will certainly be different. Shetland News has the details.

Scottish Islands Explorer - now past its primary phase