Human Span

 The Uig Historical Society has some fine images of the 208-acre Vuia Mor situated in Loch Roag on the west side of Lewis. There were four families recorded on the island in 1807 and by the time of the Census of

1841 there were 46 inhabitants living in seven houses, in the settlement at Knock Dibick. Then the island was cleared and no one has lived there since. A thriving community with extensive lazybeds (below) was

terminated. However, within living memory an elderly resident of Valtos, Lewis, could recall a neighbour, Mrs Kate Morrison, who died in his village aged 100. She was born on Vuia Mor in 1808. The span of human longevity is remarkable.

Scottish Islands Explorer - here's hoping that it will be recalled in 200 years
Digital Edition: here is one significant change in format and delivery

So Near; So Far

Yearning for an island property, within reach by distance and price? Think in terms of £300k and go to Lows website to consider an Orkney residence with a difference. There has been a recent upsurge in interest about and the value of properties and plots in this part of the Northern Isles.

Scottish Islands Explorer - always speculating about where to thrive
Digital Edition: nowhere is as approachable as on-line publications

Wild Land Discoveries

One thing leads to another. The 42 Sites of Wild Land in Scotland have recently been listed by Scottish Natural Heritage and this led to looking at the rare trails on the vast and featured Eishken Estate, Isle of Lewis, and its spectacular Lodge. Then suddenly, Chris Townsend Outdoors, appeared. So a stimulating hour or so could be taken up this Sunday with wandering the wild via websites.

Scottish Islands Explorer - tens of thousands of acres open up
Digital Edition: created on your screen in a few deft moves

Uist Wool

From the North Ronaldsay breed yesterday to the Cheviots today. These sheep at Grimsay, in the Western Isles, supplied Uist Wool with their basic commodity. Read, on the BBC website, how the organisation is to trade as a social enterprise and on their own website of a yarn that tells their story.

Scottish Islands Explorer - weaves issues around island topics
Digital Edition: knits links fast to kit the world with information

Accommodation, subsidised

North Ronaldsay is different. It is the furthest north-east of the islands in the Orkney group and its sheep thrive on a diet of seaweed. The North Ronaldsay Sheep Festival is worth considering and a new venture, subsidised weekday accommodation at the Bird Observatory for up to ten week-day nights, needs applications by 20 March 2017. Don't miss out.

Scottish Islands Explorer - not subsidised, but relatively-low in price
Digital Edition: a bargain at under ten pounds for a year's supply

Won by a Short Flight

Loganair is pleased to have won 'The world's-shortest-flight-contract' for another four years. This will take them into the 50th year of their operations. See the BBC website for details.

Scottish Islands Explorer - has landed on Papa Westray from North Ronaldsay
Digital Edition: even shorter download-time

High End

Read about the latest findings concerning the burial of an elevated Viking warrior on the Ardnamurchan. Yesterday the Isle of Eigg may have been the butt of a joke. Today there are more Norse discoveries, revealed on the BBC website.

Scottish Islands Explorer - tries to unearth matters of interest
Digital Edition: just get on board to discover more

Norse or Nonsense?

The Vikings were on Eigg some 1300 years ago. This could be a rune marked on a stone they left behind or a rude word on a rock that has been carved subsequently. The experts are, as ever, divided. Read all about it in the Daily Telegraph.

Scottish Islands Explorer - usually free of expletives
Digital Edition: some words get around fast

Newmarket for ... ?

'Racehorses' are usually associated with 'Newmarket', but Morris MacLeod was at the Newmarket near Stornoway when he saw and captured the image of this stag. His photograph is in the latest Your Pictures of Scotland on the BBC website.

Scottish Islands Explorer -  tries to have a penetrative way of looking
Digital Edition: photographs viewed instantly throughout the world

Meek and Wild

The Meek family has long been associated with Tiree and one of its members, Rhoda, was the first to encounter a 'visitor' from distant shores. A message-in-a-bottle-style-container arrived from Iceland after what must have been a wild journey across the ocean. Read about aspects of the scientific experiment on the BBC website.

Scottish Islands Explorer - also gets around the shores, somewhat sedately
Digital Edition: knows how to track across large tracts of the Earth and its seas