The essential guide to the Outer Hebrides

We really are paging the oracle on north-west Outer Hebridean life here. Frank Rennie, professor of Sustainable Rural Development who lives in South Galson and has been instrumental in developing the region for four decades, writes of the area’s great personal, natural and cultural significance. From his formative experiences of the region to its resident…

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A fascinating tale based on true-life events

In a Veil of Mist is based on the true life but little-known event of Operation Cauldron. In 1952, during the Cold War, germ warfare experiments were taking place on a ship off the coast of the Isle of Lewis. The book delves into the lives of two locals who begin to suspect something is…

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The latest Highland Book Prize winner is revealed

The 2020 Highland Book Prize has been named as The Changing Outer Hebrides: Galson and the Meaning of Place by Frank Rennie. This is an intimate account of the inter-relationship between one small island village in the Hebrides and the wider world. From the formation of the bedrock three billion years ago, to the predictable…

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What is ‘slow fashion’ and why is it on the rise?

Patrick Birkbeck, managing director at Perthshire department store House of Bruar, examines the return of ‘slow fashion’. THE term “slow fashion” is generally seen as a recent invention, but the movement has been around for longer than we think. Many people are familiar with the term “fast fashion” and all of its negative connotations. In…

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‘Smart village’ needs young people

THE world’s first “smart village” for young people is on the hunt for digital champions aged 18 to 28 from across Angus, the Borders, Lanarkshire, the Outer Hebrides, and rural Perth and Kinross. A total of 12 digital champions will work with Scotland’s Rural Youth Project to help develop a pioneering “smart village” centred on…

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‘Wheelyboat’ helps anglers fish on Uists’ lochs

ANGLERS and tourists can now explore more of the Uists’ lochs thanks to funding for an accessible “wheelyboat”. Hydraulic platforms will allow people in wheelchairs to use the boat, no matter how low the water level or how inaccessible the banks. The boat will be used by anglers in the Outer Hebrides to fish for…

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How tweed stood the test of time

The experts at Walker Slater explore the history of tweed on its journey from simple protection against harsh weather to its status as a sophisticated material favoured by royalty. TWEED has a longstanding, romantic history, dating back to 18th century Scotland. The term “tweed” was coined accidentally in 1826 due to a misread label on…

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A stunning look at the beautiful Hebrides

Hebrides is a beautiful book of narrative extracts from Peter May’s bestselling trilogy. The text features alongside specially commissioned photographs by David Wilson depicting the eerie mists, abandoned buildings and dramatic lighting of the Outer Hebrides. This book allows fans of May’s Lewis trilogy to experience the land that gave the writing and his characters…

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New exhibition celebrates Scotland’s marine life

To celebrate Visit Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters, a new display will highlight the unique beauty and significance of Scotland’s marine life. Open now, and running until Friday 28 June, Scotland’s Precious Seas reflects the diversity of National Museums Scotland’s research collections. From flame shells to whale skulls, the range of preserved specimens on…

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A contemporary home on a Scottish isle

An architect-designed home with five acres of land on the beautiful Isle of North Uist, a stunning and unspoilt Hebridean island, is now for sale. Presented by Galbraith, Taigh na Coille (The Forest House) is situated close to the beach and enjoys a panoramic outlook over the surrounding countryside and the sea. The property has…

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