Aurora Alert

Some pupils in Orkney were eagerly anticipating the opening of their new school building yesterday. Many pupils of Shetland residents were widened last night to see the Northern Lights following an Aurora Alert. An item in Shetland News was a timely reminder to look up and, perhaps, be impressed.

Scottish Islands Explorer - usually impresses when regarded from above.

Back to New School

It was back to their old schools for many pupils in Orkney on Tuesday. However, the 770 who attend Kirkwall Grammar School will be starting their new term in the new building from today and tomorrow. The Orcadian has the details.

Scottish Islands Explorer - hopes that appreciation levels are high

Winter Panorama

Here's a winter panorama of crofthouse, croft, crag and clouds in South Uist. Take a look at the gallery of images and links on South Uist News. They will help transform your day.

Scottish Islands Explorer - taking the wider view

A Booming Textile

As several retailers report a downturn in their seasonal returns, here is a producer - of Harris Tweed - indicating a 25% increase towards the end of last year. This will provide a strong platform for trading in 2014. Read more in the Stornoway Gazette.

Scottish Islands Explorer - where buoyant results are to be found

Harbouring Thoughts

Stroma Harbour, off the Caithness coast, is normally very quiet, serving a de-populated island. However, for one day in the summer it's thriving when it becomes the venue for a ceilidh attracting local musicians. Watch the images and listen to some of the music from the 2012 visit via YouTube. It's worth harbouring thoughts in the depth of winter about convivial occasions that will surface in the summer.

Scottish Islands Explorer - looking forward to future events

Resolutions for 2014

The Pod Hotel in Singapore, close to its major shopping district, may be far from the Scottish shores, but a similar pad could be fun as an island base. Do take a look at the LifeEdited website for more details and images of this minimalist accommodation. If you want to take another tact and reflect on resolutions for the first Sunday of the year, then go to Five Ways to Think Less in 2014.

Scottish Islands Explorer - its editor gives maximum attention to minimalism

Some 5,500 Years Apart

The Barn, Westray - 'the jewel of the archipelago's crown' - provides fine accommodation for hostellers in the largest of Orkney's northern isles. A short distance by ferry or plane is the oldest preserved house in northern Europe, the Knap of Howar, a Neolithic farmstead built in around 3500 BC on Papa Westray.

There's more than houses on offer here - such as extensive beaches like Grobust, Westray, where sand, sea and sky offer that attractive element, space. See more of these islands through their website.

Scottish Islands Explorer - fills 52 pages of space with information

Five-Star Accolade

Self-catering is not new to Eriskay, but a five-star award is innovative. The Stornoway Gazette carries an item on this property, named Eriskay Lilt, which certainly has eye-appeal. The judges were particularly interested in that other three-letter e-word - 'eco'.

Scottish Islands Explorer - certainly worth some stars

John Who?

In case you don't know, this is 'John Coe', who belongs to the West Coast Community of killer whales. Four of them, including John, who was first spotted in 1992, were sighted off Dunvegan, Skye, a week before the festive season started. The details are to be found through the website of the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust which is based in Tobermory, Mull.

Scottish Islands Explorer - only a fraction of his age 

New Four; New Year

Cymbals to herald the New Year? No, a newly-discovered clam from the deep waters around Rockall. In fact, two varieties of clam, one large sea snail and a marine worm - four in total - have been recorded by Marine Scotland as creatures discovered for the first time. It's astonishing and presented by a BBC Website item. Plenty more in 2-0-1-4?

Scottish Islands Explorer -  endeavours to have variations on a theme