One of the lesser known, now unpopulated, Inner Hebridean Islands of Scotland is the Isle of Handa. It can be found in the north-west of Scotland, a few miles north of Scourie and 25 miles south of Durness. The name Handa origins from Norse and Gaelic and means "island at the sandy river". Handa currently has no human population but records show that 65 people inhabited the island in 1841 before potato famine forced the islanders away, they were moved across the Atlantic to Nova Scotia. Wikipedia writes that "The islanders had a parliament, similar to that of St Kilda, which met daily, and the … [Read more...] about Isle of Handa
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Viking Scotland – The Earls of Orkney
Viking Scotland Part Three - The Earls of Orkney In late 1263 the Norwegian king, Haakon Haakonarsson, and his storm-damaged fleet limped into the sheltered waters of the Orkney Islands: the old man was ailing, and with him the dreams of a Viking empire. Vikings of the Hebridean Islands Earlier in the year Haakon had left Norway and crossed the ocean to stamp his authority over the Hebridean Islands, west of Scotland; which had been assailed and claimed by the Scottish king, Alexander III in 1262. For decades, the Scots had tried to buy the islands from the Norwegians, and time and … [Read more...] about Viking Scotland – The Earls of Orkney
Viking Scotland – The Hebrides
Viking Scotland - Part Two: The King of the Isles It was the summer of 1158, and two rival navies faced each other across the Sea of the Hebrides; one led by Godred, King of Man, the other by his brother-in-law the upstart Somerled, Lord of Argyll. It was yet another clash between warlords in this most contentious of arenas where Gaelic Scotland met Viking empire; but the outcome of this battle would alter the balance irrevocably. For nearly 400 years Norwegian Vikings had first raided and then settled the Irish Sea, Hebrides and the Northern Isles, establishing a substantial territorial … [Read more...] about Viking Scotland – The Hebrides
Sailing Holidays on the Scottish Coast
Because of its rugged coastline, and its countless inlets, lochs, and windswept islands, many believe that the best way to see Scotland is from the water. Indeed, much that Scotland’s coastline has to offer is totally inaccessible by land. Conversely, the increasing popularity of Scotland for maritime holidays has led to an expansion and improvement of berthing facilities such as marinas and pontoons, meaning boating around the Scottish coast is now simpler than ever before. Skilled sailors can easily rent yachts or boats to navigate the shores of Scotland, while those without sailing … [Read more...] about Sailing Holidays on the Scottish Coast
The Long Road on the Isle of Jura
The Isle of Jura is not an island for an impromptu visit since it doesn't have a direct car ferry link with the mainland. Only in the summer there is a passenger ferry, a RIB for 12 persons, operating a service from Tayvallich on the mainland to Craighouse on Jura. So Jura is quite remote and one of the few inhabited islands in Scotland not being serviced by Calmac directly. The only car ferry to Jura is operated by the Argyll and Bute Council and sails between Port Askaig on the Isle of Islay to Feolin on Jura. It's a five minute crossing over the Sound of Islay, the fast flowing channel that … [Read more...] about The Long Road on the Isle of Jura
Lewis and Harris named Top Islands in Europe
The Isles of Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides have been named top islands in Europe and appear in the world top five according to a readers poll on the Trip Advisor website. Two other Scottish islands - Isle of Mull and Orkney - also feature in the European islands top ten. Orkney comes in at no four in the list with the Isle of Mull at no nine. The Scotsman writes: James Kay, a TripAdvisor spokesman explained that the islands awards, now in their second year, are based on the quality and quantity of highly-rated hotels, restaurants, and attractions listed for each island and … [Read more...] about Lewis and Harris named Top Islands in Europe
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