Tinhouse

Something for the weekend? Here's a property topic to dream about - The Tinhouse on Skye which appears to be the perfect retreat for two. It also has a website which will fill your screen with amazing images.

Go to the BBC website to put it in architectural context, for it is one of 27 contenders for the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) 2017 Awards.

Scottish Islands Explorer - imagine running the magazine from here?
Digital Edition: a perfect electronic companion

Washed Up Well

When a sailor on the Maersk Iowa, a container ship that's over 300 yards long, throws overboard a bottle containing a message and an email address, he or she hopes for the best in these circumstances. It turns up over 1400 miles away, on a beach in Sollas, North Uist, and is found by the owner of a gift company, Coralbox, based on Berneray. The story is there to be uncorked in the Stornoway Gazette.

Scottish Islands Explorer - has been salvaged from the sea on occasions
Digital Edition: can be found on shores everywhere

Delve and Dive

It may look a little dark here, but the BBC website has some colourful images of the sea-caves of North Rona and St Kilda. These are difficult-to-reach islands, especially the former, and so click on here to delve into the topic and dive into the water.

Scottish Islands Explorer - exists to delve
Digital Edition: dives through the internet to your outlet

Rona Ridge

Above is a view by the Northern Light Cruising Company of a bay off the Fianus Peninsula at the north end of North Rona. It was taken from the ridge which runs along the steep cliff towards the automatic light. Recent interest has been directed to the Rona Ridge, a sub-maritime geological formation to the west of Shetland, where Hurricane Energy has located a significant oil-find. Read about it in yesterday's edition of The Times and make out what you can of it from the 3D diagram below.

Scottish Islands Explorer - always drawn towards this ultimate destination
Digital Edition: continuously draws on the material of the print edition

An Ultimate Campsite

The head of Loch Resort, at Kinlochresort, is an ultimate place to camp - for it's in a part of  North Harris that is difficult to access, but which has a distinctive history. The house in the background is kept in good condition by the Estate, but being under canvas has that special appeal. At least that's how the photographer, Marc Calhoun, felt, for it is his tent.

Scottish Islands Explorer - feels an affinity with this area
Digital Edition; probably too far off the beaten track for connections

Changing Technologies

There's a nice contrast on the Churchill Barrier, Scapa Flow, Orkney, of the mast of a wreck and a wind-turbine - where one technology has replaced another. The photograph was taken by Ray Hammond.

Scottish Islands Explorer - often reflects on changes
Digital Edition: now in the forefront, but will be replaced

Winter Over

Spring is here, at least officially, and it will be marked by the presentation of a fine winter image of trees taken by Alan Boswell. Just nine months to go before it begins all over again!

Scottish Islands Explorer  - well aware of the seasonal cycle
Digital Edition: revolves around different criteria

Riptide / TripTide

A riptide is a hazard, for tidal currents can flow strongly in restricted places. It may bring out sightseers, but does not provide conditions of safety. Travellers often wish to explore the sights, expand their knowledge through websites, experience with effective insights. A new company, TripTide Ltd, has been launched to help and direct people by widening their horizons and combating hazards. It currently focuses on London, but its business model could well apply to the Scottish islands, where we all need help from one another to discover more. Take a look ... here.  

Scottish Islands Explorer - another portal for discovery
Digital Edition: as well as a means of fast access

Prominent and Prolific

Some properties just stand out - as does this self-catering establishment at Overby, Yell, Shetland - and some people show prolific interests - as does Andrew Dishington Matthewson (1799 - 1887), the first headmaster in East Yell. In a sense his career involved teaching for over 80 years. Read more in Shetland News about this astonishing schoolmaster who took duties on himself while still a 'master' - in the juvenile sense.

Scottish Islands Explorer - reaches its majority next year
Digital Edition: has years ahead of it

Orkney Roastery

There must be readers of this blog whose introduction to coffee was through Camp (i.e.chicory essence) before being invited to instant powder and then on to granules.Then the 'real stuff' appeared on the scene in bean form. Now ultimate varieties have come to Orkney through its newly-opened Roastery. Read about it on the BBC website.

Scottish Islands Explorer - aware of changing tastes
Digital Edition: and of different ways of accessing