Island interests
Barra and Vatersay
By Robin McKelvie Barra beach runway by Mike Austin I’ve been lucky enough to arrive in Barra over the years by plane, on both ferries,…
Accessible islands with Wheely Braw
I embarked on my first Hebridean adventure back in 2022 and, as an ambulatory wheelchair user (someone who both walks and wheels), I’d be lying…
14 ways to get active on the isles in 2024
By Robin McKelvie Looking for somewhere you can throw yourself into active sports and activities? Look no further than Scotland’s islands, a world-class playground for…
Sustainable island travel
By Robin McKelvie e-bikes at Eigg Adventures Leave your car on the drive. Take the train to Mallaig. Jump on the CalMac ferry and arrive…
Canna
By Robin McKelvie The Isle of Eigg shines brightly as an example of a Scottish island where a community buy-out has not only halted depopulation,…
Shaping Our Islands
Shaping Our Islands travelogue By Robin McKelvie In the world of glossy TV documentaries the soaring mountains and tumbling glens of Scotland are left, front…
Bute: community, farmers and Stuarts
By Robin McKelvie I cannot think of many islands in the world where one family dynasty has as tightly controlled a whole island for so…
Gigha, a community buy out success
Gigha ferry By Robin McKelvie Sometimes I approach Scottish islands with a degree of trepidation, concerned that the hurdles facing the local community may have…
Rum
By Robin McKelvie Rum information I’m writing this on the Lucy Mary, a small ship dragging me away across the surf from Rum. This remarkable…
Papa Westray – the ‘remote’ isle that does not feel remote
Robin flying to Papay Westray By Robin McKelvie Within my first half hour on the island I’ve already had real conversations with more people than…