My connection to the people, and love of the landscape of the Western Isles, as well as my new-found interest in photography, inspired my journey through North Uist in the summer of 2008.
From that arose anecdotes and personal
views, which I hope are in the most part unbiased and as in the case of most journeys, my preconceived ideas were often challenged.
Born and raised on mainland Scotland by my Gaelic - speaking parents, I was introduced to the Islands at an early age, enjoying long summer holidays in the heart of a culture, inspiring in its colourful traditions of storytelling, music and song.
As a child it was a place of magic, remote in terms of time and distance from the mainland,and as I discovered on my journey from innocence to maturity, only distantly relevant to an increasingly modern society.
Throughout the past few decades, I have seen many changes.
But, despite the hardships the population have endured and the continuing decline of the language amongst the Gaelic speaking communities, the disappearing traditions now replaced by new technology and unemployment, forcing many to leave their beloved shores, there remains an optimism.