Orcas in Lerwick Harbour

Here's the Shetland News account of killer whales in Lerwick Harbour last Tuesday and a YouTube clip of a pod in the same vicinity last April.

Scottish Islands Explorer - surfaces every two months, with a splash
Digital Edition: appears whenever required

Splang to Life

It's time to bring a little splang or sparkle to your Gaelic and the pronunciations associated with it. The Skye Times has details of the development of a new app, using speech recognition, that will assist in learning the language. Braw Media, the developers, asked for markers to indicate where in the world there was interest and 770 responses came from 54 countries.

Scottish Islands Explorer - paper and digital versions only ... so far
Digital Edition: address pocketmags and download

Shore Settlers

There are beaches on the same latitude as south Norway where people find pleasures, but not all the year round. For these sheep on North Ronaldsay, it's their home. The attractions of the island are well displayed on the VisitOrkney website.

Scottish Islands Explorer - finds its way to most of the islands
Digital Edition: available on all inhabited islands

Channel Traversing

For an account of the exciting journey through the narrow passage between the St Kilda islands of Hirta and Soay, go straight to Marc Calhoun and the section of his Exploring the Isles of the West. His details and images are compelling. He traversed the channel with Northern Light Cruising.

Scottish Islands Explorer - enjoys going to ultimate points
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An 'On-Shore Island'

When settlers came from the Northern Isles, they understandably named a vast stretch of the Mainland, 'Sutherland'. A division occurred when a Pictish tribe - the Cat or Catt People - dominated a large area of land with its headland close to John O'Groats. The land boundary followed natural watersheds and the sea encompassed the rest. Caithness was officially recognised in local administration in the late 19th Century. There is certainly something of an 'on-shore island' about the county and recently there has been a campaign to award 'island status' for at least its health service provision. Read about this on the BBC website and take a wider view of the local features in the website where Old Keiss Castle (above) appears - Loch Watten House.

Scottish Islands Explorer - mainly about off-shore islands
Digital Edition: crosses both boundaries and borders

Wildlife on CalMac

There is always something grand about viewing CalMac ferries going about their business. Passengers and crew often have the opportunity of seeing wildlife in marine and shoreline locations. Consequently, the company has appointed a Wildlife Officer to encourage knowledge and the pleasures of sightings. Read about this interesting appointment on the BBC website.

Scottish Islands Explorer - maritime and marine connections made
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Kirkwall - New Insights

Here is Kirkwall from on high and with reflections in its basin. More insights are available in a new book which is featured in The Orcadian.

Scottish Islands Explorer - often calls at the main Orkney settlement
Digital Edition: why not treat yourself on Black Friday?

Head for the Cloud

A winter-storm on a Shetland shore is a reminder of the need for shelter, especially when waves and clouds combine. Businesses too need shelter from the vicissitudes of commerce. One method is to use the benefits of the 'Cloud' through the internet and Shetland business-owners are being invited to a workshop on this topic next week. The details are in Shetland News.

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Digital Edition: operates globally from on high

House, Gallery & Studio

Yesterday's blog featured a property that could have served a writer. Today's consists of a three-in-one deal in which a house, gallery and studio are offered for £350k at Garyvard (the poet's garden) in the South Lochs area of the Isle of Lewis. Artists have been accommodated here for several years and the estate agent, Ken MacDonald, is right to stress the unique aspect of these purpose-built facilities.

Scottish Islands Explorer - always on the lookout for the unique
Digital Edition: will deliver on time

Panoramic View

Here's what could be a writer's dream - a one-bedroom cottage ... on an island ... commanding a 180 degree view to the west ... with sunsets as the bonus to a fulfilling day's work. It's on West Yell, Shetland, is new to the market with offers over £75k. See what this property at Everhoull has to offer.

Scottish Islands Explorer - always looking out for stimulating locations
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