Some Sight, Some Sound

The Corryvreckan Whirlpool, situated between Jura and Scarba, is the third largest whirlpool in the world. Its name derives from the Gaelic Coire Bhreacain, 'the cauldron of the speckled seas' or 'cauldron of the plaid'. The flood tides and currents can produce waves of up to 30' in height and the noise it produces can be heard up to ten miles away.

Scottish Islands Explorer -  it also endeavours to be heard

Off the Rails

This is an often-taken photographic image with rail tracks stretching towards an engine, infinity or just the buffers. It comes from Orkney, not a railway centre, but where standard and narrow gauges were laid down, particularly in the war-years. Here is the scene at Lyness where the Visitor Centre displays the history of Scapa Flow, especially during the two World Wars.

Scottish Islands Explorer - tracking changes

Gavin Maxwell

Were Gavin Maxwell to be alive today, he would have celebrated his 97th birthday a fortnight ago. His restless spirit was evident from childhood days in Wigtownshire to university life in Oxford, to war service and then a spell with Wilfred Thesiger in the reed marshes of Southern Iraq. He is mainly associated with islands off-shore from Skye and with interests in wildlife, in general, and otters, in particular. The photograph below is of the bronze sculpture of his smooth-coated otter, Mijbil, on Sandaig, where the author spent his final years.

Scottish Islands Explorer - now in its twelfth year

Not Always As Appears

In 1816 Robert Stevenson built this lighthouse on the Isle of May, in the Firth of Forth. It resembles a Gothic castle. In 1918, on the night of 31 January / 1 February, the lighthouse keepers were relatively close to the so-called 'Battle of May'. This involved the Royal Navy, but not the enemy. It consisted of a series of accidents in which eight collisions occurred, two submarines lost, three other submarines and a light cruiser damaged, and 279 men died. The full story was not made public for 84 years and the lives lost were commemorated with a cairn erected on the mainland, at Anstruther harbour, on 31 January 2002.

Scottish Islands Explorer  -  records news and events

On the Way to the Faroes

In June 2012 an Arcturus Travel expedition will be taking in the remoter islands of Scotland and then off to the Faroe Islands. There is something significant about linking these island groups - for in the Dark and Middle Ages the Irish peregrinatio somehow reached both of them in small boats during their pilgrim-wanderings. Comfort standards will be immeasurably higher on the Polar Pioneer.

Scottish Islands Explorer - constantly improving

Built to Last

Mousa (from the Norse 'Moss Island') is about 15 miles south of Lerwick on Shetland. It has not been inhabited since the 19th Century, but its broch attracts visitors throughout the summer months. This remarkable round tower construction at 44' tall is the highest existing building of its sort in the world and was built around 100 BC. Visitors can climb to its top.

Scottish Islands Explorer - attracts visitors to all sections

Parable Island

Mid Howe Broch, on the Orkney island of Rousay, was built between 200 BC and 200 AD. The poems of Pauline Stainer in her collection, Parable Island, were published in 1999. She grew up in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, attended Oxford University, lived in Essex and then for a number of years on Rousay, before moving to East Anglia. Her poetry evokes the Orcadian spareness of land and the qualities of light experienced both on- and off-shore.

Scottish Islands Explorer - looks at old and new aspects of island life

Remains Within Range

The Hebridean Rocket Range will remain in operation, for at least the next five years. The threat of closure and the loss of 200 jobs - on Benbecula, the Uists and St Kilda - are lifted. There is talk of this range becoming a test-area for civilian drones and aerial surveillance devices. Watch out!

Scottish Islands Explorer - endeavours to survey, not drone

A Good Read Rocks

Sanaigmore Beach, on the north-west shores of Islay, would be on fine day a great place to settle down with a good book. At the other end of the island is Port Ellen, which on Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 September, will be hosting the Sixth Islay Book Festival. Crime, not high on the island, will feature at the festival, during which Ruth Rendell will be speaking.

Scottish Islands Explorer - read on beaches and benches, shores and sofas

Get Up There ... First

The shores of South Harris and the hills of North Harris beckon. Consider being among the first, by at least looking, at information on an innovative event, The Inaugural Isle of Harris Mountain Festival. Here are happenings - walks and workshops, talks and tours, challenges and climbs - taking place from 24 September - 1 October. A challenge for you is to look for Molingeanais (pictured below) on the map and find the details of the organised walk there - on Tuesday 27 September. It's both far away and ...  free.

Scottish Islands Explorer - not free, but featuring the far