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You’ll pick up one or two words here as wel. That’s great you’re thinking of the culture of the place you’ll be moving to😀👍 Ix

@ even if I have to make do with being a visitor I would still like to learn a little.

😂😂Ix

@@IonaMacinnes 2025 hopefully is a continuous and fabulous watch by a special family x

@@garylovattlovatt193 Merry Christmas Iona and Gary. 🎅🎄🎅🎄🎅

@cwilsonskye8368 hello again, nice to hear from you and how good now you know what the lighthouse is like, excellent. Do you live in the North? Yes exactly, a wee skip and a jump on the Hebrides and you're there. Ix

​@IonaMacinnes yes in north east of Island underneath Trotternish ridge. Sometimes ( I know!) we also get crystal clear days like Scalpay . Then the wind blows as well 🙃

Haha🕶️it’s cos the wind was blowing in my eyes they were streaming so much so they’re like safety goggles for me👀😂😂 aye, I didn’t want anyone in Scalpay recognising me😂😂 Can you imagine what it was like for Alexander Reid back then, unbelievable. You could camp out in that bothy for a few nights and get a taster for it, see what you think then😂👍Ix

@@IonaMacinnes On my way.. Have a lovely Christmas and Hogmanay Iona, is it just you and mum or are you having friends over to celebrate or even better, going elsewhere? Tx

I’ll be heading home to parents on Monday for the week festivities then back to South Uist for Hogmanay/working. Hope you will have lovely company too. Ix

@bilingualbackpacker well when you return you'll be able to go to see Scalpay now, excellent! Thanks again, glad you think so. Ix

Hi Alan, Yey!! They makes me very happy to hear, love that you’re still here with us. Mind if you’ve got anywhere you’d love to see that I can reach, I’d love to hear. Ix

@@IonaMacinnes I'll leave the locations to your good self. I like suprises x

😂😂😂 that’s so funny. Good craic Mark. See you again. Ix

Aye it’s beautiful if you like outdoors and your own company. However, the winters can be lonely and hard with ferries cancelled so can’t leave to visit family etc but thats the choice we make and not everyone can cope with it…I don’t think the otters could, they’ve definitely escaped haven’t they ha! Maybe they jumped a ferry somewhere. Ix

@ well as I have commented before we currently live in a very busy urban area with shops and takeaways on seemingly every corner. I nipped out tonight to a supermarket to do some Christmas shopping. The bad manners and stupid driving was terrible and it appears to be every trip out I make we suffer this. Too many people and too much in the way shops and takeaways. Although we don’t live in a big city it’s still far too busy for me. Our plans when we do move are to rent somewhere first before buying to make sure island life is for us.

@dieselbushcraft1299 yes I remember our chat and you were saying about going to the shops and how busy it is and how people aren't very curteous, thats so rubbish. I hope you're still in touch then anyway so I will know where you decide but I hope to hear from you again anyway. There are so many places to consider thats the thing but I think I already mentioned South Uist not being a good choice cos of the terrible ferry service from Lochboisdale. No takeaways right enough, apart from a chippy open on the weekends only. Ix

Morning, if I could build a house I’d love a wooden one (in Lewis). Maybe once I’ve been over I’ll see my ideal one😂 There are so many similarities between the Western Isles and Norway of course, I must book something soon. When I’ve arranged something I’ll have to see if you’re about, although I may be on a cruise ship but we’ll see. Ix

@ I could always wave to the cruise ship 🫢

@@Trond_travels 😂😂👍

Morning, yes Scalpay is a wee hidden gem that some people miss out on so I’m glad you enjoyed the fab scenery. Imagine if I had a drone ha, maybe my brother will upgrade his gifts😂😂😂😂😂 There will be more, I thought this through a wee but so fingers crossed I get evenings free to edit, I’d rather edit than Xmas shopping to be honest. Ix

Oh haha good stuff, I’m thinking I’ll get a few who might not because of the wind noise so thank you for being so positive😀 I know, so when we went to Skye I used it a lot to take scenes of the roads we travelled and got some great footage, you’ll remember how scenic the road there is; did you go the Loch Ness direction? Ix

@IonaMacinnes Yes, we traveled from Inverness. The scenery was so beautiful. I have lots of pictures. As we got closer to Skye, it rained on and off, but we saw a total of 12 rainbows that day. Magical!

Lovely! I chose the Loch Ness route and it was really frosty, minus 3 so it was so picturesque but that means we were running a bit late cos stop for pictures etc. it’s gets so dark early here at this time of year so no dilly dallying allowed🙈😂 Ix

@@IonaMacinnes Haha. You're right, so many pretty spots along the way, plus the hairy coos & cafes. 😄

😂😂👍

Good morning, hope the night shift is nearly over, just think you can go home to bed and we are all just getting up and going in now😀 Excellent, glad to have passed the time with you haha👍 see you soon for a wee trip to the Highlands. Ix

@IonaMacinnes yes all finished, just got home yaaaawn.....time for zzzzzz!

Hello, ohhh I’ll need to see your videos, brilliant. Well I’ve no idea, this is my first Winter, but I’m aiming to continue through as normal. In Skye just now checking it out in Winter. Thanks for saying, glad you liked it. Once I’m home I’ll see yours👍😀 Ix

Hey, let me message you later tonight and I’ll tell you exactly how to do it, very easy. Ix

@@IonaMacinnes thank you x

Haha me too, messaging you from the Loch Seaforth ferry now, heading from Stornoway to Ullapool. Glad you liked it. I’ve got plenty more bagpipes footage from other trips so maybe I’ll put them together over the winter. Cheers. Ix

@ Oh, can’t wait 😀 Enjoy the rest of your ferry journey. A bit early? UK is 1 hour behind Norway too.

@Trond_travels yes it’s a 7am departure and takes 2hrs 45 mins. It’s still so dark here, like the middle of the night ha. A week holiday so don’t mind being up at 5am for that. Enjoy your day! Ix

@@IonaMacinnes Enjoy your holiday then 😊 I don’t dare asking where you are going, but I hope some holiday videos will turn up at your channel later on 😊

@vivellasmum currently on a ferry over from Berneray to Leverburgh (Harris) to get Mum and head to Inverness then onwards to the Isle of Skye for our December break. The subscribers are increasing and it's lovely, more popped to engage with, I just love all the chat and hearing other peoples connection to the video like your stories. Well we are going to Rassay on Thursday so I'll go as far north as I can and get a good glimpse of Rona for you. I bet if I was there in the Summer someone would bundle me in to their boat for a wee trip around Rona, I'm going to try that this Summer😂 thats a challenge for me. Lovely name you gave your daughter. This ferry is rough!! Ix

@@IonaMacinnes You are brave on the ferries, I would be ill for sure. When I finally get on the Northlink many sea legs tabs will be necked!! Ooh would be so fab to get a glimpse of Rona.....

@@vivellasmumoh I tried to get a wee glimpse, maybe I managed without knowing but I don’t think so. But Rassay was lovely and Mum &I were happy to see Calum’s Road at last. Ix

@markstothard630 Oh no way I didn't even know such a place existed there! See, I learn so much doing this I love it. Ok, so when I make it over there I will visit for sure. I mean thats really what I'm used to here anyway, farms and small schools so I'll be right at home, thanks for that. Glad you liked the video Mark. Ix

@daviemcf haha I know, I'll need to go back to get the wellies and ill stay over the night. Im on the ferry now heading over to Leverburgh, going t walk in Scalpay so thats the next video, half filmed the day I was heading up to Lewis for the cruise. Then it'll be Inverness and Skye so plenty videos to come. Thanks so much as always davie, and Im glad you liked my music choice again. Happy Weekend. Ix

@@IonaMacinnes Have a nice weekend too Iona. 😊

@dieselbushcraft1299 Morning, sorry I've got no internet at home so I'm late in replying, I'm on that same ferry right now going over to Leverburgh. I live in South Uist so drive up to Berneray to get the ferry over to Harris. Did you see all the Islands? Which one would tempt you to move? I'm from Lewis and I'll be moving there early next year. Yes go to Iona from Mull, perfect! Ix

@ April this year we got the ferry from Oban to Castlebay, then across the causeway to Vatersay. After spending a couple of days we got the ferry to Eriscay but drove straight on to the Uist’s, after being on Barra I actually found the amount of traffic on the Uist’s to be overwhelming. We drove straight up through Grimsay and on to North Uist and a visit Berneray before the ferry to Skye and headed back down south. Im sure that I have missed a couple of islands but can’t for the life think of them. Last year we visited Lewis and Harris and loved those too. September we visited Orkney too, much as Hoy was beautiful and we missed the old man it was too remote. As for temptations to move, I loved Barra but I think that might be pushing boundaries a little. I think Uist’s, Lewis and Harris or the Orkneys. We are thinking early retirement and renting before buying just to be sure. I do need access to medical/hospital facilities after a skirmish with cancer so that is a consideration for us but as we have spoken to people this isn’t a problem even on Barra. Me and my wife do like our own company rather than a group of friends though I have no doubt friends are there to be made. We really don’t like the pace of life and all the shops and takeaways on every corner that we have living an urban life. To be honest we have both said that we don’t want to grow old living where we are, just a small trip out somewhere is quite stressful and usually other drivers causing problems through lack of manners which you will get to some degree everywhere but I definitely haven’t experienced that on the islands, the opposite in fact. Each of the islands have their own characters. I like that on Lewis and Harris everything closes on a Sunday and as we drove around people waved, this is something that mainland UK has lost. By the way don’t apologise for not replying sooner and lack of internet, actually in some respects I would love that too.

Ah you’d have recognised it then. It’s a nice around the River Ness isn’t it. Heading back to Inverness on Monday for a few nights. Ix

Ha I know it was cute. No I didn’t, what do you think would have been good if what I showed you? The wee wooden blocks were cute and the cups but I’ve got so much stuff I couldn’t think. I got the planet map with Iona on it as a gift that was nice. Mum bought me coasters and fridge magnet and some beautiful book marks. Ix

I think the coasters were a great choice. The Iona Tweed items are very nice, tagged with your name, but I've also purchased too many Harris Tweed items when I was there..bags, poncho, slippers, wallet, gloves, hat....on and on....lol.

Yes that’s exactly what I was thinking too, I’ve got so much already but the bags were lovely. I’m taking a Harris tweed bag with me this trip so you might spot it. Ohh Harris Tweed poncho would be beautiful, I know what they look like and I love them. I’ve been tempted too. Good for you! Ix

@@IonaMacinnes I'll keep my eyes peeled for your bag. 😄 Yes, the poncho is beautiful. It's mainly purple with discreet blue flecks. It was my big splurge at the Inverness shop.

@stozy1959 I know, isn’t it. And they treat me like royalty while I’m there haha😂 All Iona’s are stunning! haha I’m sorry I couldn’t resist. Yes it’s really lovely you spend so long looking at views and getting lost in the moment. I’m glad you’re watching my wee videos and seeing it all. Safer to travel here in the spring or summer tho, not October like I did. Ix

@@IonaMacinnes 😂 I hope everyone knew who you were!

@@vivellasmum 😂😂

Oh man it’s so hard but it’s another fail I’m sad to say. I need to sit on my own there when I go back next year and camp out. Time is key. Wait till you see the Scalpay video haha I was laughing at where the signs are. Spoiler: I didn’t spot one. Ix

@IonaMacinnes ❤️look forward to chuckling away. I'm going to have to plan a trip next year, I watched and thought yes need to camp on Iona. X

You should do that for sure. I’m definitely going back for a few days next time. Go on the boat trip to see the puffins and sit and watch all night for you know what ha. Ix

@IonaMacinnes ❤️Simple pleasures rock. I will, let's not mention the blighters by name. Just hurry the bloody up and see the buggers. 🤣🤣x

@IonaMacinnes Definitely will, cheers Iona. X

Yes it’s pretty cool isn’t it. I’m going to do an island tour of North Uist soon, maybe in January to see it in the winter. Maybe you’ll change your mind then ha😂. Ix

@annedunlop2963 hi Anne, oh for sure ha , can't beat it. Thanks for messaging and glad you enjoyed it, was so fun to make and was a great ship for our first cruise. Maybe you're going on one or thinking about it, so good but too much food ha! Ix

@vivellasmum oh that was lovely for you both Im sure. Well we were racking our brains trying to remember the characters names and could we even remember the bus driver or the postie, nope. Yes it's a lovely island with lots of interesting places, and was nice to go with Mum. We are off to Inverness next week so Mum is happy for me to video as we go, even doing some of the video for me but doesnt really love being on the videos too much, ha. I haven't had wifi at all in my house and 4G has worked brilliant up until now, ive managed to do all my YT videos off 4G on my phone to my laptop, but you're eight, fibre is the way forward and I'll do that in my next house once I move next year. Hope alls well, glad you enjoyed the craic ha. Ix

@ericthearfaviking7579 😂 you're right, but I won't stop until I'm successful🤪 oh aye, its been dreich here but now calm and 2 degrees, while I sit in a lay-by getting 4G to reply. Ciao, Ix

It was so nice after the cruise to get back to island life before heading home. Ix

@ ❤️

@bilingualbackpacker sorry late reply, still no internet so in a lay-by on way home from work getting a 4G signal. I have attempted t ago to St Kilda a few times, and only in September there we made it to the pier and the fog was too much so didn't get, always been something. I've provisionally booked to go when the season opens up again in April, weather permitting. Its not such a pain for me but travelling so far and it doesnt go is a disappointment, just bare that in mind but don't let it put you off going cos it'll be great. I was in Mingulay last year, that was fab and you should consider it too. I wasn't on YT then so I dont have a video up on it..just means ill need to go back ha! Ix

@@IonaMacinnes I am planning to book Mingulay too but that is not on sale yet for next season. I am going to be in South Uist for a full week so I have one day booked for St Kilda and a second day kept in reserve in case the first one is cancelled. I'm from Lanarkshire but now live in Northern England so it's a big trip going so far north now. The southern isles like Arran are most accessible to me. I was there in August and made a video on it. So next year I hope to get to 6 islands and make 6 videos!

Oh if you’re going from Eriskay then it’s David Steele so I’ve tried to get with him a few times, will be fine in spring tho, great! You’ll be busy next year that’s fab. Ix

@@IonaMacinnes I think I booked with Uist Sea Tours. Is that the same one? They also do Mingulay.

Yeah that’s them, I was in Mingulay with them last year, they are amazing! Ix

@andyandkirstie hello, aye I know, you can imagine the size of the Iona passing there. I've still not booked but I'm definitely going to. Was looking at Black Friday deals but it's only £50 off some dates so I'll wait. Oh great you're getting some ideas, thats what it's all about. Ix