Superstructure for Subsea

The AKOS Seafarer was moored at Hatson Pier, Kirkwall, last weekend, on its way to the tidal turbine in the Falls of Warness, off Eday. Many came to see and photo this specialist vessel with an impressive superstructure. The Orcadian carries details about the visit.

Scottish Islands Explorer - maintained by a simple business structure

Meals With Appeal

VisitScotland has judges for all sorts of awards. Last week CalMac's Mariners - the on-board restaurants - obviously appealed to them for the ferry company won the 'Taste Our Best' seal of approval. Read the account on the Islay Blog.

Scottish Islands Explorer - always looks forward to judging food

Archaeology to Art

The Cairns Project at South Ronaldsay is one of the archaeological sites that has inspired Rik Hammond in the creation of his art exhibition at the Orkney Museum. See what's on offer at Perhaps Found (Perhaps Not). It definitely closes on the last day of this month.

Scottish Islands Explorer - to appear on the 18th of this month

New Lease of Life?

The Royal Arch Masonic Hall in Bowmore, Islay, has not been in use for over ten years and has become dilapidated. Plans are being made to renovate it as holiday-letting accommodation. Some details of the building are featured in the Islay Blog and there is relief that an historic building, associated with Masonry may see masons at work in its renovation with a new lease of life.

Scottish Islands Explorer - welcomes the rituals of holiday-making

Killegray

There is something compelling about Killegray House, the only residence on its 435 acre island in the Sound of Harris. Five people were permanent residents in 1931; two by 1971; and 20 years later the house was renovated, but it has attracted no one to live there permanently.

Scottish Islands Explorer - Understands how the idyllic is often 'summer-only'

March On, In Portree

From March there will be a new facility in Portree, the main settlement and popular hub of Skye. The SYHA will be opening its latest hostel - with 18 rooms on the site of the former Bayfield Backpackers and adjacent Bayfield Guest House. More details will follow here, but access the SYHA website for news of the precise date when this fine facility will be ready for hostellers.

Scottish Islands Explorer - Also has interests over the Skye Bridge

Caledonian Steam

The Waverley remains a well-known vessel along the West Coast of Scotland and its islands. A new book, The Caledonian Steam Packet Company by Alistair Deayton, gives a full illustrated history of the time when local communications depended on this business that was founded in 1889 and which merged with CalMac in 1973. Read the review in the Islay Blog.

Scottish Islands Explorer - Communicates regularly with coastal communities

Bi-lingual: An Advantage

There are, so we are told, many advantages of being brought up or educated in a bi-lingual system. Read what the Stornoway Gazette has to say on the medium of Gaelic being taught in primary schools. All, bar two, of the schools in the Western Isles offer these opportunities.

Scottish Islands Explorer - Monoglot, alas

Struan Recipe Search

The Michaelmas or Struan Bannock is baked throughout Scotland and is associated with many customs. One is that its size is around 9 inches in diameter and half-an-inch thick. Another is that it should be produced by the eldest daughter of a family and that she should not use metal implements. In the Hebrides it is traditionally made with equal amounts of barley, oats and rye. A reader has requested a recipe. Can anyone help, please?

Scottish Islands Explorer - Enjoys the search for food

Seahawks Support

The National Football League Super Bowl takes place in Arizona today when the Seattle Seahawks take on the New England Patriots. Marc Calhoun supports his local team in the Pacific NorthWest and has entered a fine picture of a full-supporting cast on his blog. How many other Seahawk fans are there in the Scottish NorthWest?

Scottish Islands Explorer - Bowled over by the event