A Breed Apart

Swona, in the Orkney group, is situated in the treacherous waters of the Pentland Firth. It was occupied from around 500 BC until 1974 when its last residents left, leaving behind their cattle which have become feral. View this breed apart through YouTube images.

Scottish Islands Explorer - focuses on island residents of all types

Digital Edition: carries material everywhere

A Trip Around North Rona

Getting to North Rona is not easy - for it's 44 miles out through open seas. However, Seatrek takes visitors from the Isle of Lewis and enables 'visits' with a useful video introduction. One of the most informed authorities is Marc Calhoun who has a fascinating and finely-illustrated account of the island, the most remote in Britain ever to have been inhabited. He spent two consecutive days there, an achievement in itself, in the Summer of 2011.

Scottish Islands Explorer - enables visits to be made with ease
Digital Edition: assists all the way

Three Chimneys Retreat

The Three Chimneys Restaurant - with accommodation - on Skye has been awarded many accolades during the past 34 years. Now Eddie & Shirley Spear have recently sold their establishment. However, their 'retreat' from five-star hospitality will mean that the 'treat' of going there will continue to be offered, by the new owner, Gordon Campbell Gray. Read more on the BBC Website. 

Scottish Islands Explorer - not currently for sale
Digital Edition: not around 34 years ago

Lifelines by Lifeboats

The Oban and then the Mallaig lifeboats were called out to take paramedics to two cases involving medical distress. One was on Lismore and the other on Eigg (above). A report appears in The Press and Journal.

Scottish Islands Explorer - aware of how vulnerable people can be
Digital Edition: can arrive fast, but with limited medical help

Solas

Solas is the Gaelic word for light and has been appropriately used as the title of a new film about the photographer, Margaret Fay Shaw, who died aged 101 in 2004. She worked with her husband, the folklorist John Lorne Campbell, particularly on the island of Canna, which was their home. The BBC Website carries the details.

Scottish Islands Explorer - hopes to last for comparable years
Digital Edition: helps to preserve and promote

Testing the Stones

Climate change tests will be taking place on Orkney to find out whether World Heritage Sites are at risk. Let's hope the sheep may continue to safely graze. Read more through the BBC Website.

Scottish Islands Explorer - fairly resistant to climate
Digital Edition: travels through many climate zones

Normal Service Will Be ...

... Resumed as soon as possible. This must happen on Barra as well as with computer connections that are being experienced.

Scottish Islands Explorer - on sale throughout the UK

Harris Tweed Ride

The grounds of Lews Castle, Stornoway saw some of the action in the fourth annual Harris Tweed Bike Ride. 45 riders in the local fabric, worn in Victorian styles, took part. Across The Minch, in Wester Ross, the temperatures hit a record 74 degrees, so it was as well to be on the cooler Isle of Lewis. The Press and Journal has details of the costumed event.

Scottish Islands Explorer - customised for islands
Digital Edition: not back in time, fast forward

Go Gometra Off Grid

Taking the track above could see you led to the settlement on Gometra, although to become a permanent resident, you would have to be one of those people who likes to complement a remote vicinity with an off-grid lifestyle. Take a look here at what's on offer there.

Scottish Islands Explorer - enjoys the comforts of full connections
Digital Edition: has difficulty in finding the seriously off-grid

Sule Stack

Here's the MV Jean Elaine at one of Britain's most remote islets, Sule Stack. Read here about her trip as well as the disaster that occurred there some 51 years ago.

Scottish Islands Explorer - takes in the remote
Digital Edition: takes information the distance