Island Blogging With a Tent - Part 1:Skye
09th May 2022
Well, it's been a long, long time since I've blogged anything! But seeing as I'm doing this round of Scottish West Coast islands, I thought it might be cool to take you along the journey with me.
I suppose it started may years ago on Skye, after all, that's where my family are from, it's where I grew up, went to school and messed about. Much later in life, it's where I focussed my energies on when I took up photography, and I suppose it's inspired me to keep exploring the familiar for inspiration.
I've always enjoyed travelling, but it occurred to me, and it's probably true of many islanders, that tourists are much better acquainted with these landfalls than ourselves. By my mid-30s, I had only been to Skye, Harris and Raasay. Not a great haul of islands really. And, visiting my parents for years after I left, there was little incentive to visit any other places.
However, circumstances changed, and I began to have the notion for travelling Scotland's bejewelled west coast, and I'm now 21 islands in, with another 20 to go before deadlines loom next June for this book of mine.
I've tried to capture the flavour of the islands by speaking to people, and where appropriate, photographing them. After all, without communities, islands are just empty spaces, and the 19th Century landlords had a good go at that during the 19th Century.
So far I've discovered friendly faces, stunning beaches, wild moors and sea views. I've been startled by stags, eaten great fish & chips, explored historical sites, and watched new industries being created.
So far it's been a gas! Warning - Make sure you do what these tourists at Kinloch Campsite didn't. Book first. Or better still, leave your camper van and home and use a tent.........
I suppose it started may years ago on Skye, after all, that's where my family are from, it's where I grew up, went to school and messed about. Much later in life, it's where I focussed my energies on when I took up photography, and I suppose it's inspired me to keep exploring the familiar for inspiration.
I've always enjoyed travelling, but it occurred to me, and it's probably true of many islanders, that tourists are much better acquainted with these landfalls than ourselves. By my mid-30s, I had only been to Skye, Harris and Raasay. Not a great haul of islands really. And, visiting my parents for years after I left, there was little incentive to visit any other places.
However, circumstances changed, and I began to have the notion for travelling Scotland's bejewelled west coast, and I'm now 21 islands in, with another 20 to go before deadlines loom next June for this book of mine.
I've tried to capture the flavour of the islands by speaking to people, and where appropriate, photographing them. After all, without communities, islands are just empty spaces, and the 19th Century landlords had a good go at that during the 19th Century.
So far I've discovered friendly faces, stunning beaches, wild moors and sea views. I've been startled by stags, eaten great fish & chips, explored historical sites, and watched new industries being created.
So far it's been a gas! Warning - Make sure you do what these tourists at Kinloch Campsite didn't. Book first. Or better still, leave your camper van and home and use a tent.........