Back in October I shared an interesting 180° VR video from a walk to Ardilistry Bay. I noted that the channel was quite new and wondered if there were going to be further Islay videos. That question has now been answered, as there’s now another video, a video from a boat trip around the Oa:
Scotland Islay Skerries – Wild Marine Music Adventure VR 8K 180 3D
I’m not sure why they say Skerries, as far as I know the cliffs of the Oa are not part of the Skerries. Maybe I’m wrong. Either way, some great views up the cliffs with the American Monument on top, also some interesting views around Soldier’s Rock. Same as with the other video it uses some kind of 180° panoramic technology, meaning you can to an extent change the direction you’re looking.
Something slightly different this evening: I’ve shared quite a few “regular” videos over the years and I’ve also shared a few 360° videos. This one is a 180° VR video, meaning you can zoom in and out a bit and also move your viewport to an extent. The description also mentions 3D, although I haven’t noticed any 3D features. Either way, the video is from a walk to and along Ardilistry Bay on the south coast of Islay:
Scotland Islay Ardilistry Bay – Relaxing Music Virtual Walk 8K 180 3D
This seems to be a quite a new channel with only two videos so far, will be interesting to see if there are going to be further clips from Islay.
This is a long overdue post, but better late than never. I think I first saw them back in November 2023 at a Christmas fair in Bruichladdich Hall. Bonnie of Islay Prints had some lamp shades with Islay nature related prints on her stand. We had a chat about them and I learned that they come in different sizes and various prints and colours are available. I thought they would look great on two lamps I had, especially as I wasn’t too fond of the original shades.
Wet Meadow lampshade in ochre from Islay Prints
We agreed that I would measure the sizes I needed when I got home and then order the ones I wanted. For various reasons I didn’t manage to do that for a few months, but just before my visit in April 2024 I finally got my act together and finally placed my order. I decided to go for the Wet Meadow motif in ochre for both, as I wanted some mild warm light from the lamps.
Bonnie was extremely helpful and managed to make the shades while I was on Islay, so that I could pick them up from her workshop and save on the postage. They were safely packed in a cardboard box and travelled home on my passenger seat. Once I arrived home I quickly exchanged the old shades for them, very simple and easy to do.
I’m very pleased with them, they are exactly like I was expecting them. Only thing to point out for this particular version I think they need a bulb with a warm tone. I had a more white bulb in one lamp first and a warmer more yellow in the other. It made a significant difference and I soon changed the white bulb to a warmer yellow as well. One is standing next to me as I’m writing this, providing some background light at my desk. The other one is on my dining table.
Islay is well known for its peat bogs and peatland, among other reasons mainly through its peaty whisky. But that’s not what this post is about, on the contrary, it’s about the preservation of the endangered peatlands. Islay is a key part in the CANN project (Collaborative Action for the Natura Network), which focuses on conserving peatlands and wetlands across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The CANN Project Short Film – Combatting Rhodi on Islay
For more background and context also watch The CANN Story – April 2021, which gives an overview of all the projects in Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland.
To spread the word and increase awareness the Islay & Jura Community Peatland Project was launched, which includes the Peatland Passport. This project will be run by the INHT until 2022, if you’re in Port Charlotte make sure to drop in at the INHT and pick up your passport (also available in various other places on Islay). If you are on Facebook you can also join the excellent Islay and Jura Community Peatland Project Facebook group, which has a huge variety of interesting posts with information, videos, online events and more.
