Once in Walking Distance

Here are the Monach Islands (or Heskeir) as seen from Balranald. The individual islands are connected at low tide and, until the 15th Century, could be accessed on foot from Baleshare, five miles away on North Uist. Occupation ceased in 1942, but a new lighthouse has been constructed, the old schoolhouse restored for accommodation and the white beaches, together with the most exposed dune system in the UK, are inviting. Take a look below at the ruined settlement as well as the attractive situation.

Scottish Islands Explorer - tries to create the wish-you-were-here feeling

What's in Store?

Here's a well-known stopping point for travellers on Skye and to the Western Isles. It's the Co-operative in Portree. However, there may soon be more on offer - by way of supermarkets themselves. The West Highland Free Press reveals how planning applications have been submitted by both the Co-op and Tesco. Trolleys galore are forecast.

Scottish Islands Explorer - remains something of a monopoly

Half-hour at Rodel

There's been much attention paid to the northern skies recently and this image of Rodel, captured by Andrew Pennill, shows why. A trail of stars photographed over 30 minutes creates an appropriate heavenly background to the famous church on Harris.

Scottish Islands Explorer - attempts to lighten the darkness

They Came, Saw and ...

These Norse settlements on Rousay look substantial enough. When the Vikings invaded Orkney, as well as other parts of Britain, there was, apparently, mayhem followed by a constructive phase. A new book, From Machair to Mountains, emphasises this intermixing feature. Oxbow Books may be a useful source for this publication.

Scottish Islands Explorer - pleased to report how things settled down

Sitting by the Shore

The makers of this chair are Orkney born and bred. There is a traditional and flourishing industry on the island. Read about Scapa Crafts and the involvement of husband and wife, Jackie and Marlene Miller, together with their team. Sit comfortably ... and enjoy.

Scottish Islands Explorer - to be read, preferably when seated

Gloss on Egg

The Scottish Wildlife Trust reports: A group of rare wetland birds has been spotted on the isle of Eigg. Six glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) have been seen. The glossy ibis (copyright photograph above by Alex Boden)  is defined as a scarce visitor to the UK, but this winter has seen sporadic sightings in the North West and South West of England and South Wales.

The glossy ibis is a wader bird that feeds in very shallow water. The ibis nests in fresh water among reeds or rushes in areas with low trees and bushes.  The isle of Eigg is a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve. It is famous for its community buyout in 1997 and the rich amount of wildlife.

Commenting, John Chester, the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Ranger on the isle of Eigg said: “Ibises  are a very noteworthy species within the UK & especially here in west Scotland. As a first record for the island they have generated a lot of interest amongst the local people many of whom have been able to see the birds.

“We’re not sure as yet where these birds originated from, though it seems that it could be Spain or France. However, as one of them is ringed we’ll hopefully be able to obtain more information on this. Why exactly they have turned up on Eigg, especially in such a wild and wet winter, is a real mystery but they certainly seem to be having no trouble finding food in the heavily flooded marshes. Hopefully they’ll continue to hang around for a while and are enjoying the Hebridean winter.”

Scottish Islands Explorer - gloss and matt finish

Independence Issues

These offices of the Shetland Council could take on a new significance if the proposals of the Earl of Caithness come about. The same would apply to the Council Offices in Kirkwall (below) and ... to the administrative centre of Rockall, Hall's Ledge!

Scottish Islands Explorer - sometimes going to extremes

Looking Out for Lights

The artificial lights are of Scalloway - until 1708 the capital of the Shetland group of islands - and the natural ones are the Northern Lights. This photograph by Chris Brown is featured on the website of Bairds Travel. Another series of views is to be found on the BBC website. Take a couple of trips ... moving away from your screen.

Scottish Islands Explorer - always trying to look up

Hey, Hey, Clear the Way

This photo of the derelict North Strome Ferry Terminal, taken by Neil King, shows the Strome Narrows of Loch Carron crossed by ferry until 1970. Then a new section of the A890 was built in order to give faster access to the Kyle of Lochalsh, Skye and beyond. Now plans are being considered to construct a bridge or create a new by-pass. Another scheme, many miles away, involves the by-passing of Thurso to speed access to Scrabster and the Northern Isles. The details are on the BBC website. Getting out to the islands may become that little easier.

Scottish Islands Explorer - creates passages about the islands

An Arcadian Vision

Waves contain forceful energies and these are due to be harnessed off Mainland Orkney. The Costa Head Wave Project will be the world's largest of its type. The resources are unlimited and derived off-shore, leaving the land unaffected.. So here is a case, perhaps, of the Arcadian - natural, bountiful splendour in a largely untouched wilderness - within an Orcadian setting.

Scottish Islands Explorer - pages depicting powerful forces