Lochmaddy Facility

This week saw the royal opening of the Lochmaddy Marina when the Princess Royal was in North Uist; last May was the occasion when the first cruise ship used the then incomplete facility. Read about the former in the Stornoway Gazette and the latter in the Island News & Advertiser.

Scottish Islands Explorer - welcomes another way of island exploration

An Emerging Market?

This two-bedroomed bungalow in Lerwick was described as being 'run-down'. However, the difference between its selling and purchase prices was an amazing 70% ... up. Read in Shetland News how estate agents and Shetland residents are astonished by the value of a local property. Is it a one-off or is there a new emerging market for the compact and carelessly-kept?

Scottish Islands Explorer - sells at a fixed price in shops and on-line

Images to Inspire

The textures of sand, rock, water and skies are evident in the photography of Ruth Fairbrother. Click on for her Gallery of the Outer Hebrides that includes Niasaboist, Harrris (above) and Toe Head from Berneray (below). We have featured her work with that of Peter Leeming and their September Newsletter is available here.

Scottish Islands Explorer - where images prolifierate

Height and Depth

This is the summit of Eorsa, some 321' above sea level or to be precise, above Loch na Keal, Mull. The view from the hills shows the islet just below the channel used by the Ulva Ferry.

The dramatic photograph below by Carl White evokes something of an era - during the First World War - when a British fleet would assemble in the deep loch and Atlantic convoys begin their voyages from there.

Scottish Islands Explorer - crosses the Atlantic every eight weeks

Postcode Preferences

A UK survey of Royal Mail Postcodes has led to a pecking order of preferences as to where to live. One Scottish island code was selected and that centred on Port Askaig, Islay. The criteria given are explained in the link. However, the hub of the port gives regular access (by CalMac and Argyll Council ferry services) to Kennacraig on Kintyre; frequent sailings to Jura; and a weekly trip to and from Oban on a Wednesday, with a return possible on that day to Colonsay.

Scottish Islands Explorer - endeavours to be a hub

One House; No Mouse

Hascosay - the 'Driftwood Island' to the Vikings - is situated between Fetlar and Yell, Shetland. In 1841 it was home to 42 people, but has now been uninhabited for over 150 years. The only surviving house, visible above, is apparently inhabitable and should be free of mice.The soil of the island repels rodents. The island's many streams and ponds tend to turn brackish and a problematic water supply was one of the factors that led to population decline. The north end, at Taingar, features below.

Scottish Islands Explorer - not mouse-resistant

Hunda For Sale

Hunda or translated from the Old Norse, Dog Island, is for sale (£600,000 for the uninhabited island and a farmhouse on adjacent land) and the estate agent, Savills, has attracted international attention to this part of Orkney connected to nearby Burray by causeway.

The MailOnline gives it substantial treatment with text and images and the Orkney Image Library provides details of its history, particularly in the Second World War when the team below built the causeway. This gave access to a substantial store of ammunition.

Scottish Islands Explorer - pleased to promote; keen to connect

Loch Seaforth En Route

Compare the image above of what the new MV Loch Seaforth will look like and the photograph of her sailing from Flensberg, Germany, to Odense, Denmark, during the final phase of her construction. More information is available through the Stornoway Gazette.

Scottish Islands Explorer - ready to board when delivery made

Caving Climax

Clear blue skies above, at Esha Ness in Shetland; dark and cavernous below;

the ways and and means of access allows penetration to what is thought to

be Britain's largest cave. Take in the item on the BBC website.

Scottish Islands Explorer - literally, in this case

Summer Ends; Now Dancing

This wintry scene of the Northern Lights is not a harbinger of swiftly changing conditions, but a reminder that the days of Summer are drawing to a close. An item in The Orcadian reflects on the appearance of 'The Merry Dancers' over Rousay yesterday. It forecasts that there could  be frequent activities in the night skies during the next few weeks.

Scottish Islands Explorer - is active every eight weeks