THE ISLANDS PROJECT - 1 - I VOW (Loch Lomond, Scotland)

(Episode 1 of 3)
The Islands Project is a series of short films inspired by three islands that can be found resting quietly in two of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. Rarely visited, these islands are rife with history, folklore and tales from long ago.
In this first episode I begin our journey on Loch Lomond at the island known as I Vow. Once belonging to Clan Macfarlane, the remains of a castle are still present amongst the trees and wildflowers.
Looking across from the bonnie banks before starting the paddle across in my kayak, the island seemed relatively insignificant and gave away few clues of its interior. The closer I got though, the more it began to reveal. The weather was exceptionally good on the day of my visit. The sun was shining and the loch was relatively calm. I had no intention of visiting the island that day. I was travelling south on my way back home after a week long roadtrip in the Northern Highlands. I arrived at the most northerly point of Loch Lomond and began the drive down the western side of the loch. I caught a glimpse of the island through the trees, illuminated by beautiful shafts of light, the kind of light that seems to only exist in Scotland. That dreamlike mist that appears out of nowhere and then dissapears without trace within moments. A light so pure it makes you question yourself as to whether you witnessed it or just imagined it. The island was golden, glowing, almost unreal. I decided right then and there that I had no option other than to delay returning home and visit the island immediately.
The thing about islands is they don't work to your plans.
Of course, you have to have a plan in terms of the equipment and supplies that are necessary to visit them safely, but when it comes to the actual process of getting in a kayak or boat and visiting them you have to be prepared to change your plans and act quickly. There is always an element of danger when crossing open water, and in Scotland in particular, the weather can change without warning and should not be underestimated.
I knew that I would not get a chance like this again.
Arriving on the island the remains of the castle appeared through the trees and the scale of everything felt completely different in comparison to its unassuming appearance from back on the mainland. It was like entering a hidden world, a secret garden that had been left to its own devices. Unspoilt by the restless hands of man. A ropeswing was the only evidence that could be found from any modern day visitors.
There is something magical about these places. They don't seem to follow the ordinary rules of time. They exist outside of it somehow. The modern world has little effect on them.
Throughout history all around the world there is evidence of our links to these places.
What is it about an island that is so special?
Why are we drawn to them?
What knowledge has been lost in time about their importance?
I would love to hear about your thoughts and experiences of islands, wherever you are in the world.
My intention in making this series was simple. Visit three islands and film my journey. My aim then was to create a piece of music to accompany the footage and write a few words about my visit. I hope that you enjoy this brief glimpse of a place that few people ever see.
Website:
www.threeeaglesrecordings.com
Find out more about Loch Lomond and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code:
www.lochlomond-trossachs.org
www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot
Thanks for watching
Peace, Love and Freedom.
Three Eagles
©️ Copyright Stephen Taylor - Three Eagles Recordings 2021 All Rights Reserved.
#islands #ivow #lochlomond

[@jpaulf67]

spent the night last week camping 06/05/23 with 2 bros dont know if it was allowed but hey ho what a night GBX cans and barbecue and bit a fishing island was amazing definitely do again also no waste left behind thanks Loch Lomond yer BEAUTIFUL

[@MrScotia]

Fantastic video and thanks for sharing it! I live near Tarbet on the West side of the loch and have kayaked over to Eilean I Vow on several occasions and on each time the island just seems to get more magical. Your drone footage at 12:00 is astonishing. I've never seen drone footage of the island before and if you look carefully to the North, West, and East of the island's coastline you will see a long green line just under the water. That is the remains of an ancient fortified wall that used to surround the island. I've only seen parts of it when the water level of the loch is lower than normal but your footage clearly shows the wall. The Loch surface level is artificially high by a few feet due to the Balloch barrage at the south of the loch which controls the water flow from the loch via the River Leven, hence the reason some ancient structures are submerged. Once again, fantastic video, and thanks for sharing.

[@newdawnrecordings]

@MrScotia Thats really interesting! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks a lot for watching and for the information. It's great to learn more about the island ☀️

[@scummings9878]

Serenity ❤️

[@nataliesweatland4283]

It is 6:45 am here in the east coast of the US. I am drinking my morning coffee and listening quietly as the bodhran eases me into my day.

[@newdawnrecordings]

@Natalie Sweatland thanks for listening. Have a great day ☀️

[@BluDawg]

Thank you for the beautiful peaceful journey . Seeing this vid makes me long to know the people that lived there and built the structure.

[@beverlymartin1414]

Beautiful, thank you! From Upstate NY on a sunny Fall morning. 💙

[@newdawnrecordings]

@Beverly Martin thanks for watching 🙂☀️

[@newdawnrecordings]

Episode 2 will be available on Thursday 5th May. For more information about this project please visit the website. Links in the description. Thanks for watching and for all of your support so far! ☀️

[@gratefulfred]

Thanks for making this video. Beautiful footage and lovely atmospheric music. What a great project. Really inspiring.

[@newdawnrecordings]

@Colin Maddocks thanks Colin I'm glad you enjoyed watching ☀️

[@simonuk4964]

Thanks for taking us on the journey with you, perfect chill out in this mad world

[@epilpstd1]

Erie and peaceful. Thank you for sharing this.

[@liborsionko]

Nature in early sumner bright sunshine is far from eerie to me

[@RexRoyStudios]

I'd love to visit someday, my grandmother was Margaret Galbraith, thanks for the wonderful views of my family heritage.

[@newdawnrecordings]

@RexRoyStudios thanks for watching ☀️

[@takkleberry7641]

Lovely place so beutiful

[@OrangeboxCoUkwebdesign]

Beautiful scenery, thanks for taking us with you on your journey to this magical place, with relaxing music, it's perfect to watch in the evening. Hope you make lots more of these.

[@newdawnrecordings]

@Orangebox Digital thanks ☀️

[@newdawnrecordings]

What Scottish island would you recommend and why? Let me know in the comments section. To find out more about this project please visit the website: www.threeeaglesrecordings.com/theislandsproject Thanks for watching and for your support! Three Eagles ☀️

[@karencorscadden8264]

Very indulgent. A calm moment.👏

[@clairewink7058]

Beautiful and hypnotic. A meditative piece. Thank you.

[@newdawnrecordings]

@claire wink thanks for watching ☀️

[@FarmerWan]

Absolutely stunning!! Beautiful music, amazing cinematography. Makes me homesick for Loch Lomond, what a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing, looking forward to the next one.

[@newdawnrecordings]

@Ewan Morrell thanks Ewan ☀️

[@sheilataylor5890]

Beautiful place, felt quite emotional watching you there, looking forward to Episode 2 x

[@templeofstone369]

Such cool place to visit man 🌏 Looked a perfect day 🌞

[@lisamiller7476]

Lovely….

[@skyemac8]

So that’s where all the trees went🙂

[@wojciechturek1601]

Hi one one of place I fond accidentally on my kayak trip on lommond Have you had a chance to visit tiny island where other ruins are? It’s much more towards luss close to Cameron’s golf club I don’t know many such a spots but I can recommend you mark’s cottage on loch long and a nice trip from there finnport to loch goil Unbelievably beautiful scenery

[@newdawnrecordings]

@Wojciech Turek I don't think I have been to any islands near there. Thanks for the recommend I'll check it out! Cheers ☀️

[@wojciechturek1601]

@@newdawnrecordings no worries If you need any tips I’ll be very happy to help

[@needfortweed8734]

Oh. After watching this video I wanted to get myself an island and try to make into a habitable space. I can easily see a channel based on this concept. But alas, I don't have the money to try to do something like this... But if I did, I would make a series where I built a place to stay, selected fruits and vegetables that could provide sustenance to me and so forth...

[@newdawnrecordings]

@Need for Tweed that sounds like a great idea! Thanks for watching ☀️

[@needfortweed8734]

@@newdawnrecordings well, who knows what the future may bring :) Thanks for posting videos.

[@ChadPrestonOfficial]

One theory suggests that some terrain such as mountains, hills and islands are the gigantic remains of titanic life forms. This playlist which includes several video series by Stellium7 is fascinating: kzbin.info/aero/PLSR4_CBNevF60uLkHHlAe91yJ2WTOf-gq

[@Yah-Izoa-Hakaboth]

Wow! Very relaxing….it’s like walking in the presence of the LORD who is the Holy One of Israel! Selah! 🕎💙🤍💜🕊

[@newdawnrecordings]

@Yah-'Izoa Hakaboth thanks for watching ☀️