Sounds for Bridging

There was a time when access to Eilean Dhamhnaill, Loch Olabhat in Griminish, North Uist was regarded as an ultimate achievement in crannog construction. Eventually the linking of Benbecula by causeway (below) was hailed as remarkable.

Then the road to Eriskay (below) was an engineering feat that drew observers as well as users. Now there is an appeal for visionary thinking about bridging the Sounds of Harris and Barra to create an end-to-end Outer Hebridean road. Look into it through The Press and Journal.

Scottish Islands Explorer - new ways of exploration are always opening
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A Successful Resolution

David Dawson wrote this about the MV Priscilla featured here on Saturday: 'She should now be in Silloth, after being successfully refloated last Thursday evening, following half her cargo being offloaded into a barge alongside.Towed into Scapa Flow where divers inspected her hull. Slight damage but not anything that affected her integrity. The incident is nothing short of miraculous, given that a week of entirely flat calm conditions in the Firth (even in summer) is very uncommon. Paradoxically, had the conditions been choppier at the time of grounding it is thought unlikely that she would have run aground as the sea breaking over the skerry would have indicated the rock just under the surface. A successful resolution all round!' 

The grounding of the vessel was not on the Pentland Skerries, but near Lother Rock (above) off Brough Ness, South Ronaldsay.

Scottish Islands Explorer - some discoveries lead to mishaps
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Fair Isle Firefighters

Of the eight-strong Fair Isle Fire Brigade, four are female. See The Press and Journal for the background to this emergency force on one of Britain's remotest island settlements.

Scottish Islands Explorer - island communities are usually equally divided
Digital Edition: ready under most contingencies

Pentland Poses Problems

The MV Priscilla encountered problems earlier this month when it ran aground on the Pentland Skerries, between Duncansby Head and Orkney. However, its cargo was transferred and it's now free to leave. See the BBC website item. To the south and west of Muckle Skerry (below) is

Little Skerry, an image of which was submitted by Richard Evans, 90 minutes after the blog was launched. This is where the Priscilla came aground.

Scottish Islands Explorer - explores without danger
Digital Edition: steers its way throughout the world

Bat Watch

Here's something rather different - watching for bats as well as touring a distillery and tasting liquor - at the Raasay Distillery on Wednesday 1 August. The details of the Bat Watch Night are here.

Scottish Islands Explorer - watch out for subscription details

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Pleats Complete

The geological formations of Kilt Rock, Skye, resemble the pleats in a garment. Tim Collier Photography sailed past the phenomenon on a blogged-and-illustrated journey from Raasay to Lochmaddy. Take a trip in the company of his team.

Scottish Islands Explorer - featuring comparable voyages
Digital Edition: complete and ready to complement computers

Land Ahoy!

The Orcadian features an area of land for sale between South Walls and Longhope for offers over £29k. It is extensive, has elevation and detailed planning permission for a residence. It's a pick worth a click. 

Scottish Islands Explorer - worth picking up ...

Digital Edition: … or clicking onto

Blogs Glorious & Galore

For a full, illustrated introduction to many aspects of travelling around the West Coast of Scotland, consider what Tim Collier Photography has to offer with its blogs. Why not start with the Skye to Mull journey?

Scottish Islands Explorer - here's exploration to relish
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Lottery Rescue?

Plans to restore Halligarth House on Unst have been put on hold - for the project to convert the former home of Dr Laurence Edmondston, medical doctor and ornithologist, into a visitors' centre has been termed 'unsustainable'. Perhaps the scheme will be rescued by National Lottery funding? The Press and Journal has the story.

Scottish Islands Explorer - aware of restorative plans
Digital Edition: restores connections continuously

Skye Diving

Country Living magazine has drawn attention to several places throughout the world where tourism is in danger of ruining the sights that people have come to experience. The Isle of Skye, apparently, came in third position of being endangered by this phenomenon.

Scottish Islands Explorer - aware of too much attraction
Digital Edition: light on resources; low on risks