Island Diary
Island diary part 9: coping in the darker months
Winter is a less glamourous time to be an island dweller on the west coast of Scotland, says poet Kenneth Steven, but there is beauty in the dreich
Island Diary 8: Foraging for an autumn feast
Kenneth Stevens forages for blackberries and hazelnuts in the meadows of Seil and shares his recipe for St Brendan's crumble. With photos by Kristina Hayward
The Island Diary Part 7: discovering hidden treasure
Poet Kenneth Steven discovers the small paradise known as An Cala, set against a stunning backdrop of sea and sky.
Escaping to Skye: leaving urban life behind
Inspired by the wild landscape and yearning for a lifestyle closer to nature, artist and marine conservationist Katie Tunn moved from London to Skye. After spending a year taking part in Channel 4's social experiment Eden, Katie has returned to Skye. In her new blog series she shares tales of island life
The Island Diary Part 6: a garden of goldfinches
A desolate garden is turned into a birdlife haven as poet Kenneth Steven welcomes a family of spirited goldfinches to his garden to feed on the Isle of Seil, Scotland
The Island Diary Part 5: stories in the stones
Poet Kenneth Steven explores the industrial past of the island of Seil from the beautiful and eerie drifts of slate
The Island Diary Part 4: connecting with the mainland
Island life can feel remote but Seil is connected to the Scottish mainland by a very special bridge, says Kenneth Steven
The Island Diary Part 3: the birdlife of Seil
Poet Kenneth Steven and his partner Kristina moved to the Island of Seil in the Inner Hebrides this year – in his third blog he introduces some of the wildlife of their new home
The Island Diary Part 2: foraging on the seashore
Having moved to the island of Seil in the Inner Hebrides, Kristina sets off to explore the island – with an expert seaweed forager
The Island Diary Part 1: finding a home on Seil
Poet Kenneth Steven and his partner Kristina Hayward yearned for the sea – and where better than an island in the Western Isles that so nourished Kenneth's childhood. But could they make a life there? Find out in our new blog series