The two-volume 'Exploring the Isles of the West' series was published by the Islands Book Trust in 2012. The first volume is still available from the publisher. The second volume is only availabe from second-hand retailers.
Volume 1: Firth of Clyde to the Small Isles
I describe an obsession that has led me to dance alone on island mountaintops, jump off boats, and wallow through bogs. But before reading on, reader beware, the lure of the isles is strong, and you too may find yourself inexorably drawn to them, and then be forever trapped by the call of the islands that like to be visited.
―Part I: Firth of Clyde to the Slate Isles―
1: The Green Goddess of Eilean Molaise: Holy Island
On the Buddhist’s isle a deity is encountered standing watch over the cave of St Molaise
2: Pursuing Ailsa and St Bey: Ailsa Craig & Wee Cumbrae
Two small isles lure me to Ayrshire. But once I’m there, they both play hard to get.
3: The Stone Throne of Càra
In his quest to ascend the throne of Càra, the king-to-be terrifies the local residents. But once enthroned his reign comes to an abrupt end when his island kingdom receives an unexpected visitor from the heavens.
4: Contemplating a drop into St Carmaig’s Cave: Eilean Mór
After finding St Carmaig in a fireplace, I consider jumping into his pit.
5: To Breckan’s Cave: Jura
Looking for a view of the whirlpool I get lazy and, tempting fate, do a stupid thing.
6: Into the Whirlpool: Scarba
A day on Scarba and a surprise spin through a churning Corryvreckan.
7: Maclean’s Skull: Isle of Jura
The whirlpool causes a course change on a journey to find where Maclean’s Skull once rested; then, years later, the skull returns.
8: The Isles of the Sea—Part 1: Eileach an Naoimh
After exploring the beehive cells of Aileach voices are heard coming from its underground prison; and I soon find myself in that dark cell beneath the earth, calling out to other unsuspecting souls afoot on St Brendan’s Rock of the Saint.
9: The Isles of the Sea—Part 2: Dùn Chonnuill & Garbh Eileach
After a victorious climb up the rock steps of the castle of Dùn Chonnuill
10: The Gutted Isles: Belnahua & Fladda
Ashore on the plundered isle of slates and a walk through the walled garden of Fladda
―Part II: Mull and its Satellites―
11: Walking the Waters from Hangman’s Rock: Oronsay
From atop Hangman’s Rock we watch the sea recede before crossing the strand to the ruins of Oronsay Priory. Before leaving Oronsay a climb is made to Carn Cùl ri Èirinn to take a look back towards Ireland
12: A Pilgrimage to Inchkenneth
Getting to St Kenneth’s Isle with pen and paper.
13: Ewen’s Little Head: Mull
Come along on a nine-year walk to stand atop Gorrie’s Leap, visit Carsaig Arches, and search for the place where Ewen Maclaine lost his little head.
14: Three Days, Three Seasons: Ulva & Gometra
A winter trek to Gometra Harbour; a spring visit from the sea to search for the ruins of a lost village; and a summer hike past the Bay of Serpents to the burial ground of Kilvickeon.
15: Kidnap Isle: Erraid
We follow in the footsteps of David Balfour on Kidnap Isle.
16: The Other Iona
After paying my respects to the sheela-na-gig I search for a nugget of Iona marble. With a piece of the treasured rock in hand a visit is paid to Carn Cùl ri Èirinn to take another look back towards Ireland
17: Under Lunga and Inside the Island of the Green Ray
Not content just to be on islands, I find some to go under. Two walks into Fingal’s Cave and a crawl beneath Lunga six years in the making.
18: The Castles of Cairnaburg
Ponderings on the buried library of Iona while afoot on the once impregnable Cairnaburgs.
―Part III: Inland Isles―
19: St Kessog’s Isle: Inchtavannach of Loch Lomond
A climb to the top of the Hill of the Bell where St Kessog, Scotland’s warrior saint, and one of its first martyrs, tolled the faithful to service.
20: The Green Isle: Eilean Finnan of Loch Shiel
A return to a place of defeat to make good on a dear regret.
21: The White Isle: Eilean Bàn of Loch Morar
A canoe journey to the White Isle of Loch Morar — where Lord Lovat began his journey to meet the headsman at the Tower of London
―Part IV: The Firth of Lorn to the Small Isles―
22: The Rings of Kerrera
Three walks on Kerrera to see its crowning jewels: Gylen Castle
23: An Isle of Graves : Eilean Munde
Afoot on the burial isle of the MacDonalds of Glencoe.
24: Inside Massacre Cave: Eigg
We crawl into the dark charnel house of Eigg — where a mother’s screams were heard in vain.
25: Any Dog Seen Off-Leash will be Shot: Rum, Eigg & Lismore
I am taught a hard lesson by the rivers of Rum; make an Eigg scramble on the Amazon’s isle; and hike past the lair of the monster A’ Mhórag. Four hikes through history — the last on Lismore, where seated atop the Bàrr Mór we ponder the fate of Deirdre of the Sorrows.
26: Seven Days, Seven Bags of Coal: Eigg
Eigg is ours for a week. We make the sands sing; fight fires; visit the Finger of God; and search for a lass that is more than merely good looking.
27: Isle of the Noble Yew: Bernera of Lismore
A visit to Bernera to find the site of Columba’s Noble Yew.
28: Return to Rum
A wet walk round Rum to visit Papidil of St Beccan and the oddest graves in the isles: the Greek temple-tomb of Harris.
29: A Descent to the Cashel under the Cliffs: Canna
After almost sliding down the cliffs, the day is saved by sheep. Following in their hoof-steps I descend to the most intriguing ruins in the Hebrides . Then the giddy crag is climbed: a task of doubt and fear, unless you’re a goat or mountain deer.
Index: Book 1
-A-
Ailsa Craig, 11, 12, 15-22, 40, 225, 256
Arran, 4, 5, 21
-B-
Barnett, T. Ratcliffe, xv, 40
Barra, xvii
Bass Rock, 12, 21
Bearasay, xix
Beehive Huts, xv, 21, 77-79, 164, 275, 276
Belnahua, 60, 78, 96-103
Bernera of the Yew, 261, 286-294
Berneray, 32
Black Isles, 99
Black, William, 291
Boswell, James, xiv, 115, 116, 118, 120
-C-
Cairn na Burghs, 122, 177-185
Campbell, Alexander, 85-87
Canna, 143, 249, 284, 308-311
Cara, 31-36
Carn a Chibir, 59
Carsaig, 124, 129-133
Colonsay, 60, 80, 93, 94, 96, 107, 108
Corryvreckan, 47, 51, 56-62, 64-69, 90, 95, 97, 113
Cruach Scarba, 59, 60
Cuchulainn, 76, 92, 262, 288
-D-
Dibidil, xvii, 251, 296
Donaldson, Mary Ethel Muir, xvi, 42, 109, 111, 272
Dubh Artach, xix, 153-156
Dun Chonnuil, 75, 88-93
-E-
Eigg, xiii, 205, 240-247, 253-257, 265-285
Eileach an Naoimh, 60, 75-84
Eilean Ban, 207-215, 257
Eilean Molaise, 4-10
Eilean Munde, 233-239
Erraid, 151-158, 285
-F-
Fladda, 77, 99-103
-G-
Garbh Eileach, 75, 76
Garvellachs, xvi, xviii, 75-95, 108, 291
Gemini, 39, 40, 44, 57, 61, 64, 65, 69, 90, 93, 97, 101
Gigha, 32, 34, 36
Gometra, xvii, xviii, 141-145, 171, 285
Gordon, Seton, xv, 127, 205
Great Cumbrae, 23, 24
Green Ray, 172, 173
Green Târâ, 3, 6, 10
-H-
Harp Rock, 171, 174, 175
Harris (Rum), xvii, 250, 295, 299, 308
Higgins, L.R., 170
Hinba, 38, 80
Holy Island, 4-10, 21
-I-
Inchconnachan, 193
Inchgalbraith, 193
Inchkenneth, xiv, 114-123
Inchtavannach, 189-199, 285
Iona, xiii, 113, 122, 124, 127, 151, 159-168, 177
Isle Finnan, 120, 200-206
-J-
Judgement Stone, 3, 4, 7, 8
Jura, 46-55, 57, 63-74, 80, 90
-K-
Kerrera, 219-232
-L-
Lewis, xv
Lismore, 260-263, 286, 287
Little Bernera, 285
Little Cumbrae, xix, 11-14
Loch Buie, 183
Loch Lomond, 190, 194, 249
Luing, xviii, 76, 77
Lunga, xiv, 170, 171
-M-
MacCormaig Islands, 37
MacGregor, Alasdair Alpin, xiv, xv, 117
MacKillop, Don Alick (Splash), 32
Martin Martin, 51, 52, 67
Massacre Cave, 240-244, 282
Mealista, xix
Mingulay, 107
Monach Isles, 173
Muck, xiii, 249, 279-282
Muckle Flugga, xiii
Muldoanich, xix
Mull, xiii, xvii, xviii, 124-139
-O-
Oronsay, 60, 107-113, 286
-P-
Papadil, xvii, 250, 251, 295, 297-299, 301, 308
Poplar Diver, 143, 306, 309
Pouchin Mould DDC, xv
-R-
Raasay, xiv
Ringing Stone, 34
Rum, xiii, xvii, 4, 34, 249, 251-253, 284
-S-
Saint Kilda, xiii, xv
Saint Molaise’s Cave, 8, 9
Sanday, 310
Sandray, xix
Scarba, 49, 50, 56-62, 65, 79, 90, 93, 96, 97, 225, 291
Scarp, 285
Seil, xviii, 76, 87
Sheela na gig, 159-161, 224, 245, 246, 272
Shiant Isles, 143
Shillay, xviii
Skellig Michael, 78
Skerryvore, xix, 154
Skye, 79, 288
St Andrew, 199
St Beccan, 250, 295, 298, 308
St Bey, 13, 14, 25-28
St Brendan, 76
St Carmaig, xvi, 37-45
St Columba, 83, 164, 165
St Cormac, 38
St Donnan, 20, 244, 270, 272, 273, 282, 285
St Finla, 34
St Finnan, 200, 201, 205, 206, 242, 280
St Kenneth, 114, 115, 119
St Kessog, 192-194, 197-199
St Maelrubha, 39, 58
St Mahee, 193
St Marnock, 228
St Mary, 58
St Maura, 13, 30
St Michael, 195-197
St Molaise, 3, 7, 21
St Moluag, 287-290
St Taran, xv, 296
Staffa, xiv, 143, 167, 169, 170, 172-174
Strait of the Grey Dog, 90, 91
-T-
Taghairm, 79
Taransay, xv, 296
Tiree, xvii, 34, 46, 179
Treshnish Isles, xiv, 122, 143, 167, 169-185
-U-
Uig (Lewis), 285
Ulva, xvii, xviii, 121, 124, 140-142, 145-150, 171
-W-
Water-horse, 276
-Y-
Yell, xiii
-Z-
Zuza, 302
Volume 2: Skye & Tiree to the Outer Isles
―Part I: Round Skye―
1: The Fort of the Spiked Heads: Skye
A walk across a bridge of air to the Warrior Queen’s fort, where Cuchulainn learned the art of throwing spears with his toes.
2: A Nine Year Walk to Rubha an Dùnain: Skye
We journey to the fortress of Rudha an Dùnain, where Macleod’s watchmen of the sea lit a warning beacon when the galleys of Clanranald were on the prowl.
3: The Castle with no Windows or Doors: Skye
Now just how do you get into a castle with no windows or doors?
4: An Isle of Song and Mayhem: Isay
We visit an island once owned by Ruari the Venomous, and Donovan.
5: Two Voyages to South Rona
We pay a surprise visit to an island known as a haven for thieves, robbers, and reivers. Then, a decade later, we make it our home. We trek to Rona’s medieval chapel; descend the cliffs to Church Cave
―Part II: Flying to the Isles―
6: A Winter Visit to Barra
After splashing down on a snowy beach we stumble through gale force winds in search of beer.
7: Four Days to Tiree
I go to Tiree after visiting the Isle of Man for eight seconds.
8: An Autumn Visit to Tiree
A search for gold threatens to sink the island. Then after drinking beer under a golf ball, I hear gunfire in the dark.
―Part III: Back to the Barra Isles―
9: The Blood of the Merry Dancers: Pabbay
After threading the narrow channel below the blood of the Merry Dancers, where the treasure of Mingulay is said to lie, Pabbay becomes mine for a day. Her own treasure is then revealed as I pay my respects to the most mysterious stone in the Hebrides .
10: Berneray of the Children’s Graves : Barra Head
Afoot on Land’s End of the Hebrides to see the children’s graves of Beàrnaraidh an Easbaig.
―Part IV: South Uist the Sound of Harris & St Kilda―
11: The Loch of Weapons: South Uist
A hike to the water-filled crater of the loch of weapons.
12: Two Walks across the Waters: Vallay & Oronsay
After walking to an island we enter a mansion without windows or doors. Years later another walk across the water is made to see the surf-battered ruin of Teampull Orain.
13: The Sea-Gate & St Taran’s Cross: Ensay & Taransay
My hopes to visit St Kilda are dashed to bits. But my spirits rise when I’m given the keys to Ensay and Taransay. We see a chapel buried in sand; a standing stone converted to Christianity; and step on the rattle stone to visit a floating fort.
14: A First Voyage to St Kilda
I fly above a snowstorm of gannets, then, a decade later, float under them. Once ashore I consider dancing atop the Mistress Stone; visit the Amazon village; and slide down slime to the sea. Then, after a night of drinking, my sanity has to be questioned when I see men in ties, and women in heels, storm this remote island outpost.
15: The Cross that Would Frighten Giants: Pabbay & Killegray
Pabbay shuns my advances for years, forcing me to resort to a week-long siege. While waiting for her surrender a visit is made to the causewayed duns of Loch Hunder and the top of North Lee. After finally seeing Pabbay and the cross that would frighten giants, we pay a visit to the beacon-cairn of Killegray.
16: The Monks’ Field: Boreray
The shallow waters of the Sound of Harris are traversed to see Cladh nam Mhanaich, the Monks’ Field of Boreray.
―Part V: Wanderings in Harris & Lewis―
17: The Island That Likes to be Visited: Harris
Crawl into beehive cells; visit a place of treachery; and listen for the call of Tìr nan Òg on the Isle of Mary Rose.
18: Somewhere in the Hebrides : Lamishader of Lewis
Still seeking everlasting youth we let Alasdair Alpin Macgregor lead us to the very threshold of Tìr nan Òg.
19: Dune Tower
Following in the footsteps of John Wilson Dougal a long awaited hike is made from Tolsta to Ness to see the fort of Dùn Othail; stand atop MacNicol’s Leap; and visit Dune Tower
20: A Night in the Beehive Village of Aird Mhór
We make a two-day tramp over a land of endless bogs in search of the twelve-chambered beehive cell.
21: A Night in Aird Bheag of the Haunted Isles: Lewis
We hike across the gloomy pass to see what’s left of Aird Bheag. While camping amongst its ghosts strange sounds are heard in the night.
22: A Night in Crolà & the Postman’s Stones: Lewis
The Postman’s Stones are followed across the bogs to spend a night in Crolà.
23: The Scholar’s Road to Direascal: Harris
A hike over the most remote track in the Hebrides : the Scholar’s Road to Direascal.
―Part VI: Expedition around the Long Isle―
24: The Rope Climb of Eilean Mhuire: The Shiants
A night under a hundred thousand puffins, followed by an ascent to their green island plateau on a rope tied to the unknown.
25: Atop MacPhee’s Hill: Mingulay
We climb to the haunted hollow atop MacPhee’s Hill; wander through the sand-buried graveyard; and then watch as the residents of Mingulay emerge from the ground.
26: On the Seven Hunters: The Flannan Isles
We reach for rusty rungs to gain a foothold on the Flannans. Then, after performing the ritual disrobing, we follow the dead-end steps down the cliffs - all the while thinking on three men dead.
27: In Search of a Princess: Little Bernera
A quest ends to find the grave of a princess.
―Part VII: Expeditions to North Rona―
28: Inside Ronan’s Cell: North Rona
After several failed attempts to land we make one last try and, thanks to the perseverance of the skipper, we leap ashore on a swell and crawl in a cell.
29: Return to Rona and Afloat off Sùlaisgeir
We spend two summer days dodging bonxies on St Ronan’s Isle, and then float for an hour off St Brianuile’s isle of gugas.
―Part VIII: Time Travelling through the Isles―
30: Once Round the Hebrides
A journey to islands old and new: the cross of St Taran revisited; afoot on Scarp of the rockets; and a return to St Kilda via the Flannan Isles. Then it’s off to the Monachs, where the monks of old dug a tunnel to the nunnery (or so I was told). Then I take a seat high atop Mingulay to smell the tangle of the isles as the Star of the Sea shines brightly to the north.
An Island to End: Return to Raasay
I perform a ritual, once denied, on the altar-peak of Dùn Caan; and in the process discover something about myself.
Index: Book 2
-A-
Aird Bheag, 200-206, 297, 317
Aird Mhor, 192-199, 297
Annag, 9, 126, 128, 131, 132, 136, 137, 142, 143, 149
Arran, 60
-B-
Barnett, T. Ratcliffe, 39
Barra, 49-57, 75-77, 95, 122, 236, 237, 306
Barra Head, 88-97, 237, 307, 317
Bearasay, 180, 255, 258
Beehive Cells, 170, 171, 194, 196, 197, 209
Belnahua, 311
Berneray, 126, 142, 145, 150, 163, 293
Beveridge, Erskine, 107, 109, 110, 128, 140, 293
Black, William, 255-264
Boreray (Kilda), 131, 134, 137, 163, 301, 303
Boreray (North Uist), 113, 125, 126, 149, 150, 151, 157-165
Boswell, James, 21, 26, 45, 310, 315, 316
Bute, 60
-C-
Canna, 270, 280, 287, 293
Carsaig, 310
Castlebay, 51, 53, 76, 89, 236, 306
Church Cave, 27, 35, 36
Coll, 310
Colonsay, 133
Corryvreckan, 75, 311
Crolà, 207-218, 317
Cuchulainn, 4-7, 132
-D-
Diresacal, 218-225, 287
Dougal, JW, 183, 188-191
Dun Chonnuil, 311
Dune Tower, 183, 185-187, 273
-E-
Eigg, 20, 24, 293
Eilean Colmcille, 269-273
Eilean Mhuire, 229-235
Eilean Tighe, 230, 233
Ensay, 113-119, 129, 293
Erraid, 63, 310
-F-
Fladda, 311
Flannans, 143, 180, 181, 243-253, 255, 292, 298
-G-
Garbh Eileach, 311
Garbh Eilean, 230, 234, 280
Gealachos, 256, 261, 288
Gordon, Seton, 20, 114, 121, 294
Great Bernera, 254
Green Ray, 310
-H-
Harris, 169-178, 218-225
Hjalmar Bjørge, 20, 279-312
Holy Island, 60
-I-
Inchkenneth, 310
Inchtavannach, 60
Iona, 63, 68, 70, 157, 165, 270, 310
Isay, 16, 19-25
-K-
Killegray, 149, 151-156
Kinlochresort, 171, 173, 174, 176, 192, 194, 207-217
Kisimul Castle, 51, 237, 306
-L-
Lewis, 41, 49, 182-217
Lismore, 147
Little Bernera, 180, 254-266, 287, 288
Loch Buie, 311
Loch Lomond, 60-62
Loch Tamanavay, 198, 201-203, 206, 297
Loch Tealasvay, 198, 206, 297
Loch Voshimid, 175-177, 192
Luachair, 208, 213, 218-225, 287
Luing, 63
Lunga, 310
-M-
MacGregor, Alasdair Alpin, 13, 113, 146, 173, 179-181, 185, 194, 200, 206, 208, 212, 213, 299, 305
MacKillop, Don Alick (Splash), 126, 142
Martin Martin, 107, 120, 161, 162, 232
Mary Rose, 170, 295
Mealista, 172, 174-178, 201
Mingulay, 76-79, 86, 89, 90, 91, 95, 236-243, 248, 306-309, 312
Mistress Stone, 132, 301
Monach Isles, 129-130, 302, 303-306
Moy Castle, 63, 310
Muck, 21, 23, 293
Muir, TS, 89, 93, 94, 265, 271, 286, 288
Muldoanich, 237
Mull, 63
-N-
North Rona, 19, 190, 260, 270, 273-286
North Uist, 16, 109, 158, 159
-O-
Oronsay, 110-112
-P-
Pabbay (Barra), 77, 79-87, 89, 95, 237, 240, 317
Pabbay (Harris), 107, 113, 142-151, 158
Papadil, 310
Pochin-Mould, Daphne, 101, 102, 105, 126, 140, 192, 205, 213, 214
Poplar Diver, 123, 230, 235-237, 244, 245, 253, 255, 258, 262, 270, 272-274, 292
Princess of Thule, 180, 254-265, 288
-R-
Raasay, 26-29, 35, 83, 313-317
Ringing Stone, 64, 65, 71, 72, 310
Rum, 293, 310
-S-
Saint Kilda, 9, 45, 113, 122, 124-139, 163, 298-304
Sandray, 52, 77, 84, 95
Scarba, 311
Scarp, 149, 203, 213, 219, 224, 295-298
Shiant Isles, 20, 30, 147, 229-235, 270, 280
Shillay, 113, 129, 304, 305
Skerryvore, 67
Skye, 3-18, 83
Soay, 133
South Rona, 26-45, 280, 315
South Uist, 101-105
St Beccan, 310
St Bernard, 53
St Brendan, 237
St Columba, 68, 70, 82, 86, 117, 270
St Donnan, 257, 258, 288
St Finbarr, 55
St Keith (Che), 120
St Kenneth, 310
St Maelrubha, 34, 44, 233, 234
St Mary, 147, 232, 233
St Michael, 266
St Moluag, 147, 233
St Oran, 111
St Patrick, 68
St Ronan, 270, 275-278, 281, 285
St Taran, 114, 120, 121, 294
Staffa, 310
Sulaisgeir, 190, 287-288
-T-
Taransay, 113, 114, 119-123, 143, 287, 294
Tiree, 49, 58-72, 310
Tobermory, 293
-U-
Uig (Skye), 14, 15
Uig (Lewis), 198, 201, 202, 206, 248
-V-
Vacsay, 255
Vallay, 106-112, 128, 143, 147, 293
Vatersay, 52, 54, 57, 77, 81, 237, 243
-W-
Water-horse, 86, 87, 204, 239, 305
Well of the Cross, 126, 139-141, 159, 317
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