Hello beauties,
If you follow my blog I’m sure you’ll know by now that I grew up on a small Island in the Outer Hebrides. So I wanted to do a post that everyone who grew up in the Islands will relate to. Or if you didn’t you can get a wee glimpse into our life. Enjoy…
I’ll start with my favourite thing – Machair potatoes. They are honestly the best. No other potato compares, it’s fact. I don’t make the rules sorry… It’s a family tradition “picking the potatoes” where you fill buckets upon buckets and then bundle them all into the back of the trailer.
The Screen Machine – I’m going to link or insert a video here since this is such an Islander/ Highlander thing you will not know what I’m on about. Seriously used to get so excited when the Screen Machine was visiting to go see a film with my pals.It is basically a big Cinema on wheels with a selection of 3/4 films that are “newly” released.
Listening to radio nan gaidheal in the morning to see if school was off because of bad weather.
Road Signs are in Gaelic with the English translation underneath.
Being excited to go on holiday to the Mainland – go shopping and get a McDonalds. Even the fact we call it the Mainland.
There’s a good chance you learnt a musical instrument in primary school; either the chanter, the fiddle, keyboard/accordion.
You have a “Home” playlist on your phone full of – Skipinnish, Trail West, TideLines, Niteworks and Beinn Lee.
Passing Places basically tourists do not know how to use them. Actually some locals are crap too.
All the wee old ladies (cailleachs) will speak to you in Gaelic. Even if you reply in English they will carry the convo on in Gaelic
The weather goes from one extreme to the other. There is no in-between.
Ordering something online and having to wait 2 weeks for it to arrive.
You started learning to drive before you were 17 down the Machair.
Your Primary school class consists of 10 of you…
And when you finally do leave home you’ll always have the strongest connection to home and your Island roots.
Have you ever visited a Scottish Island? Or do you plan to?
Until, Next Time,
Shona Marie xo
Belle Chic. 
I love this post and your photos are beautiful. What’s your favorite part of living in Scotland?
LikeLiked by 1 person
To grow up in a Scottish village must be so idllyic, living by the beach and learning the culture would be a dream.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great blog ! My best friend lives on the lsle of Lewis . I visited last April, Harris beaches are just gorgeous ! Also skippinish and Tidelines are brilliant bands! Did you know Tidelines are coming to Montrose this year!?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been to Skye but not for a long time. I would love to visit more Islands at some point. I’m from S.W Scotland ☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
What are the demographics there? Is there a large population? So fascinating to learn about a place that isn’t heavily commercialized.
LikeLike
my family actually live on Skye (Dunvegan specifically) and there’s so many things that make island life very ‘unique’ right
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t grown on a Scottish Island, like at all but I love Scotland so much I had to give this a read!! It was such a great post to read and those pictures and videos are stunning!!!! I wish I’ll go back to Scotland soon 😍
Anaïs | http://anais-n.com
LikeLike
Wow! so much to learn about Scotland from this post. I wish to visit Scotland one day. Thanks.
LikeLike
What a beautiful place, the furthest we’ve been is fort William, but I’d love to travel more once I can travel
LikeLike
Even with friends from the Highlands and Islands I still don’t think I fully grasp what life must be like living so remotely! We took a recent trip north to Fort Augustus and even along the way the homes felt so secluded but it seems so beautiful and peaceful!
Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
Wow! What a way to grow up. These photos are stunning. I can’t even imagine what it would have been like to have to go to the Mainland for things!
Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com
LikeLike
I’d love to visit Scotland one day! It looks gorgeous.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing these thoughts. Moving to the city is going to be a bit of a shock. I left a small village for the city many years ago and it took a long time to adjust. I don’t think I would go back now.
LikeLike
It looks absolutely beautiful 😍 I’ve never been to one of the islands but I would love to as it looks so peaceful. Thanks for sharing xx
LikeLike
Your photos look beautiful! Such good photography. My family is from the Orkney islands (my ancestors on my dad’s side). Potato picking sounds like so much fun. I’d definitely partake in that!
LikeLike
It was interesting for me to read about growing up on an island in the Outer Hebrides. I haven’t explored the islands yet but it is a dream of mine to go there.
LikeLike
I had no idea this place existed before reading your post and I loved this feeling that for a moment I got to have a glimpse and imagine this life over there. It gives off such simplicity, peacefulness, and serenity; a beautiful place to grow up in.
LikeLike
Wow what a beautiful place! It’s on my list of places to visit.
Holly x
http://www.ldnmuse.com
LikeLike
How wonderful it must be to grow up in such an untouched place! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
This is fascinating! I may use it for a short story
LikeLike