Here's to Kirkjuvagr

If you have been looking for a different variety of gin and tonic this weekend, then you may have to wait until the autumn and the arrival of a new brand of gin, Kirkjuvagr. Its name comes from the Old Norse meaning 'church inlet' and referring to the then small settlement of Kirkwall. Its inspiration is from a couple of prospective Orkney distillers featured on the BBC website.

Scottish Islands Explorer - with entrepreneurs in spirit
Digital Edition: no need to wait more than seconds for connection

Take a Dip?

It was on the 11 May 2011 that this daily blog was launched - with an item on the Barra beach which serves as a runway for the Airport. Yesterday saw the total number of visits exceed a quarter-of-a-million over almost five years. Here's chance to visit the same shores with the pier of the Isle of Barra Hotel and a cottage in a fine sea-side position. Please take a dip into any of the 1,796 past items - featured on the right in the Blog Archive - to discover more, revive memories and to increase the tally.

Scottish Islands Explorer - oh! for 1796 new readers
Digital Edition: waiting in the wings of broadband

Death of Last St Kildan

Rachel Johnson, born 1922 on St Kilda, has died and is the last of that group of residents who were evacuated in 1930. Details of her life and times are to be found on the BBC website.

Scottish Islands Explorer - is a keen St Kilda watcher
Digital Edition: available as and where

Kidnapped Locations

Turn left, away from Iona when in Fionnphort and you will approach Erraid, an interesting tidal island with connections to R L Stevenson's novel, Kidnapped. Go a little further on this page to read about an Adventure involving more than this off-shore part of Mull.

Scottish Islands Explorer - low on fiction; high on fact
Digital Edition: always on hand

Snapping Shark Spotted

There is a wide expanse of water around Tiumpan Head, Lewis, where watchers have seen a large shark in action, probably taking a seabird from the surface. The details are on the BBC website.

Scottish Islands Explorer - likes to spot lively articles
Digital Edition: can be picked off the internet

New Camasunary Now

The Mountain Bothies Association has been assisted by Alan Johnston, the owner of land on Skye and the 59 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers in the opening of a replacement bothy at Camasunary. It is about a kilometer from the older building, but the delights of the Bay are unchanged, as the photograph by AlexHyde Photography illustrates.

Scottish Islands Explorer - has replacements every other month ...
Digital Edition:  ... are available at speed

Forty Years On

Go to the Daily Telegraph for the story of 'Dopey Dick', an orca thought to be around 58 years of age, which swam into Londonderry and disappeared almost 40 years ago.

Scottish Islands Explorer - a fraction of these times
Digital Edition: looking forward to having the limelight

Skye Speculating

A distinctive sky pattern and a modern elevated house on Skye can set those property pipe-dreams alight. Take a look at Rural Design Architects based in Portree, Skye, and see how they are changing the look of houses in the Highlands and Islands.

Scottish Islands Explorer - yearns for the modern look ...
Digital Edition: ... and the ways to achieve it

Linga Longer

The island of Linga, on the west side of Shetland, has, perhaps, a new lease of life. It was last inhabited in 1934 and, despite recent planning permission, the two crofthouses have not been renovated.

Its 64 acres is being viewed tentatively by a Norwegian co-operative of naturists who see it as a potential, private, idyllic base for their pastimes. The full story of the notions of Nordic nudists is to be found in Shetland News.

Scottish Islands Explorer - can suggest warmer venues
Digital Edition: comes fully-wrapped instantly

Go Wild on Mull

Many people are keen on wild camping; while others are happy to enjoy the wilderness in comfort. There

will be a good attendance at the Wild Mull Celebration on Sunday 24 April 2016 to be held at the

Craignure Village Hall. Do book by 21 April to ensure a place at the event.

Scottish Islands Explorer - wild about Mull
Digital Edition: no need to book the edition, for it will just come on time