November 2001

Places of Special Interest
Loch Skipport

History comes alive in Harris

In the village of Rodel, on the southern coast of Harris stands the 15th century church of St Clement's. It is one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in the Western Isles. It is situated on the side of a hill, not far from the old pier and recently redeveloped hotel. The sight of the tower emerging from the surrounding hills when driving through the village of Rodel is breathtaking. The atmosphere in the church and around the grounds (which for many years was the burial place of the MacLeods of Harris) is awe inspiring. It is an amazingly peaceful place. More

The Oceanic Zone of the Hebrides

The Outer Hebrides are the most westerly portion of Scotland on the seventh degree of west longitude. The great majority of people on the Long Island, as the whole group is called, is fairly densely packed on to the western fringe, with concentrations at Stornoway and on the Eye Peninsula in east Lewis. One might ask why the people are so densely grouped on the west side where harbours are fewer and where the force of the Atlantic Ocean is unbroken. To obtain the full answer one must see the Outer Hebrides for oneself and preferably from the air. It is on the west that the grim blanket of peat ends and the ocean has thrown up an immense weight of shell-sand. More

Animal of the Month (from September): Otter

Otters are aquatic carnivores. They can be found in many coastal areas all over the Western Isles, and are especially abundant at loch sides in North and South Uist.

In the common species, the body may attain a length of 75 cm (30 in), with a tail half as long as the body. The head is broad and flat, with short, rounded ears; the blunt snout bears lateral, slit-like nostrils. The ears and nostrils can be closed when the animal is diving. The fur is chestnut, the legs are short but strong, and the webbed feet have claws. A similar species is found in North America.

Otters live in dens, usually by the side of water and with an underwater entrance to the den. They feed on fish and small mammals, birds, frogs, and crayfish. The animals breed in the spring, and authorities have reported a gestation period of about 61 days for the species already mentioned.  The litters range from one to five pups, which stay with the mother for about a year.

Otters belong to the family Mustelidae. The otter of Europe and Asia is classified as Lutra lutra. The North American otter is classified as Lutra canadensis.

If you plan to see an otter in the Islands, ask the locals of the best areas to find them. In the Hebrides, they often live on loch sides. We have seen many otters on the shores of Loch Bee, behind Ardkenneth church in Iochdar, South Uist. You must approach the loch very quietly as they will hide if they suspect danger. A good time to see them is around 8 - 10pm in the spring and summer months.