D's 3 favourite island moments of 2009

1. Brownsea Island
Where our suspicions were confirmed, there really is nothing better than exploring an island. We left our jobs seven weeks later and boarded the sleeper train to Glasgow.


2. Kerrera

On our first day on a Scottish island, walking in the sunshine, everything lay ahead of us and anything seemed possible.


3. Rum

For feeling like guests at an eccentric billionaire's castle, climbing the Cuillins and watching the golden eagles soar above us, but mainly for just being Rum.

Outdoor Photography Island Journal Pt 4

The new Island Journal can be found in the Christmas issue of Outdoor Photography Magazine. 

Dead boots

end of the line

The train home

a loch from the train window

Mallaig - day 5 - Arisaig

Arisaig, Scotland

Mallaig - day 4 - Loch Morar

Morar weir

Mallaig - day 3 - Morar to Arisaig

silver sands of Morar

Eilean Toigal

Eilean Toigal, Morar

Embedded in the silver sands of Morar, south of Mallaig.

Mallaig - day 2 - Loch Nostaire

Mallaig - day 1

CalMac ferry docking at Rum

Canna - day 4 - Castle & Compass Hill

Canna

Alman, Canna

Alman, Canna

A magnificent lump, straight out of Treasure Island.

Canna - day 3 - Garrisdale Point

upside down waterfall, Canna

Haslam & Dun nam Berbh, Canna

Haslam and Dun nam Berbh, Canna

Dun nam Berbh is in the foreground, attached to Canna at low tide. Haslam in the far distance is separated by water.

Canna - day 2 - Sanday

Suileabhaig, Sanday

Dun Beag & Dun Mor, Sanday

Dun Beag and Dun Mor, Sanday

Dun Beag is in the foreground. Both islands are home to puffins in the summer.

Eilean Ghreannabric, Sanday

Eilean Ghreannabric, Sanday

Canna - day 1 - Sanday beach

Sanday beach in October

Eilean Ghille Mhairtein, Canna

Eilean Ghille Mhairtein, Canna

Iolann an Eilein & Eilean a' Bhaird

Inbetween Canna and Sanday

Eilean a' Bhaird is the larger island just behind Iolann an Eilein in the foreground.

Rum - day 8 - Hallival

steep scramble to Hallival summit

Hallival from Askival's north ridge

Rum - day 7 - Rainy rest day

oak panel detail of our room in Kinloch Castle

Rum - day 6 - Dibidil

lunch in the rain above Dibidil, Rum

Rum - day 5 - Harris

Rum Cuillins from the Harris 'road'

Rum - day 4 - Barkeval

Dan on the moon

Rum - day 3 - Kinloch Castle

the entrance room of Kinloch Castle, Rum

Rum - day 2 - Kilmory

Kilmory beach, Rum

Rum - day 1

Skye Cuillins from the boat to Rum

Eigg - day 6 - Gear test

T tries out her superman-sized coat

Eigg - day 5 - Bay of Laig

Laig Bay, looking out to Rum

Eigg - day 4 - An Sgurr

Loch nam Ban Mora from An Sgurr

Eigg - day 3 - Sea caves & Grulin

emerging from Massacre Cave, Eigg

Eigg - day 2 - Kildonan

Sheela-na-gig

Eilean Feoir, Eigg

Eilean Feoir, Eigg

A grass topped rock near the Eigg jetty.

Eigg - day 1

the work goes on

Muck - day 3 - South circuit

if you come to Muck you're bound to be shown around by Amy

Muck - day 2 - Around Muck to Beinn Airein

road out of Port Mor

grave and stone circle & Eilean nan Each

Eilean Aird nan Uan, Muck

Eilean Aird nan Uan

A tidal island reaching out to the impressive Eilean nan Each (Horse Island).

Muck - day 1 - Port Mor

crossing to Muck on the smaller ferry

the warm bunkhouse at Muck

Eilean Chathastail, Eigg

Eilean Chathastail, Eigg

Also known as Castle Island, narrowly parted from Eigg. As seen from the standby CalMac ferry as we chunter on to Muck.

Raasay - day 7 - Forest wanderings

roadside scene, Raasay

Eilean Aird nan Gobhar, Raasay

Eilean Aird nan Gobhar, Raasay

A turtle flipper of rock.

Raasay - day 6 - Hallaig

Dun Caan from Hallaig

Raasay - day 5 - On the bikes

after the agony

Raasay - day 4 - Disused railway & Eyre Point

on the Burma Road path

Raasay - day 3 - Temptation Hill

work day - internet access in the shop can only be used after the Post Office closes at one - "Raasay is like Skye used to be" - a dog takes us for a walk, leading us all the way home - collapsed pines form an eerie forest - a slow connection afternoon

Outdoor Photography Island Journal Pt 3

The latest installment is on Seil, in Outdoor Photography Issue 119 Nov-09.

Raasay - day 2 - Dun Caan

from the top of Dun Caan

next door's chiming clock - autumn forest - boggy moorland track to Dun Caan - a deep, burbling voiced Grouse - tiers of water - a black bunny - gravel path descent - Holoman Island in the nick of time - Liz and her runner beans