Latest news with #OuterHebrides
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
What is Harris tweed? How the classic Scottish fabric is seeing a resurgence
'When you see tweed on the runway, you don't expect it to come from here,' joked 38-year-old former banker Alexander MacLeod as he set up his loom in a converted barn on the shores of a Scottish loch. MacLeod became a weaver two years ago, joining residents on the islands of Lewis and Harris, off Scotland's northwest coast, in helping rejuvenate the tweed industry after a significant period of decline. 'It's a good thing to keep the tradition going,' he said. Tweed is a symbol of Scottish heritage and has 'always been part of the culture' on the country's Outer Hebrides island chain, added Macleod, who hails from the island of Scalpay, which is connected to Harris by a bridge. It is now 'an attractive sector to be in', he added. Harris tweed weaver Alexander MacLeod works at his weaving loom in his atelier at his home, on the Isle of Scalpay. Photo: AFP MacLeod works at his weaving loom at his home. Photo: AFP
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Putin spy ship is caught lurking near the Outer Hebrides during live drill on how to shoot down a Russian-style missile
A Russian warship has been caught spying on Britain's missile defences by the Royal Navy. Yuri Ivanov, one of Putin 's so-called research ships, was spotted lurking in waters off the Outer Hebrides during a live drill on how to shoot down a Russian-style missile. It is believed it was trying to watch the NATO exercise known as Formidable Shield, which involved the firing of a £1million Sea Viper missile at a target. The test, which involved HMS Dragon, one of the Navy's most powerful ships, was designed to simulate Moscow 's formidable hypersonic weapons. The Sea Viper obliterated the incoming missile - with the Navy hailing the live drill as a 'huge moment'. HMS Dragon, a Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer, then hunted down the Russian spy ship. It sent its Merlin helicopter up to collect information from above, until the Yuri Ivanov headed north back towards its home in the Arctic. Meanwhile on May 18, two other Navy ships - HMS Ledbury, HMS Hurworth - were sent out to monitor a Russian warship as it sailed through the Channel. Lieutenant Commander James Bradshaw, commanding officer of HMS Hurworth, said: 'Monitoring activity on the seas and seabed around the UK is one of the core roles of the Royal Navy's 2nd Mine-Countermeasures Squadron. 'This operation was all in a day's work for the ship's company who have shown great professionalism. 'We have kept a constant watch to ensure the security and integrity of the UK's critical sea-lanes.' Lieutenant Commander Craig Clark, commanding officer of HMS Ledbury, said: 'Escorting Russian vessels through UK waters is a vital demonstration of our unwavering commitment to national security. 'Whilst the Hunt-class is uniquely equipped for mine and sea-bed warfare, maritime security remains a crucial task that any Royal Navy warship is trained to undertake.' Wayne Slater, from HMS Hurworth, said: 'Driving the ship close to the Russian vessels has been a new experience for me as a helmsman. 'Everything has been safe and professional but we're all trained to make sure we can respond to any aggression or incident whenever non-allied warships are operating near UK waters.' Lieutenant Patrick Bingham, gunnery officer from HMS Hurworth, added: 'As a former merchant navy officer, I know how important freedom of the seas is to the lifeline of goods and raw materials upon which our economy depends. 'The Royal Navy has been a guardian of the freedom of the seas for centuries and I am privileged to have contributed to this mission.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Russian warship lurking near Outer Hebrides spying on Britain's missile defences caught by Navy
A RUSSIAN warship was caught by the Navy spying on Britain's missile defences. It was found lurking near the Outer Hebrides during Nato live fire tests on shooting down a Russian-style missile. 4 4 4 The Yuri Ivanov, a so-called Russian research ship, was trying to watch the exercise, known as Formidable Shield. The drills involved HMS Dragon, one of the Navy's most powerful warships, firing a £1million Sea Viper missile at a target designed to simulate Moscow's formidable hypersonic weapons. The Navy hailed the test a 'huge moment' as the Sea Viper obliterated the incoming missile. Moments after the war games finished, HMS Dragon was ordered to hunt down Vladimir Putin's spy ship. The Navy said: 'HMS Dragon launched her Merlin helicopter to collect information until the Yuri Ivanov headed north towards its Arctic home.' Separately two Navy minehunters, HMS Ledbury and HMS Hurworth, were scrambled in the Channel to shadow Russian corvette Stoikiy. Lieutenant Commander James Bradshaw, captain of HMS Hurworth, said: 'This was all in a day's work for the ship's company.' 4
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Russian vessels in UK waters tracked by Royal Navy for second time this month
Russian vessels in the English Channel and Outer Hebrides have been monitored by the Royal Navy for the second time in May. A five-day operation which began on May 18 tracked Russian vessels and escorted them through UK waters, the Royal Navy said. It followed the activation of HMS Tyne three weeks ago. Warships and helicopters were activated in a bid to 'ensure the security and integrity of the UK's critical sea-lanes', Lieutenant Commander James Bradshaw said. Russian intelligence-gathering ship Yuri Ivanov was monitored in waters off the Outer Hebrides following the completion of major Nato exercise Formidable Shield nearby, on May 21-23, the Navy said. HMS Dragon, a destroyer based in Portsmouth, launched a Merlin helicopter to collect aerial information until the Yuri Ivanov headed north towards its base in the Arctic. Three Russian vessels, two cargo boats and a warship, RFN Stoikiy, were shadowed by HMS Ledbury, HMS Hurworth and 814 Naval Air Squadron, the Royal Navy added. Stoikiy, a Steregushchiy-class corvette, sailed west through the Channel to meet two merchant vessels, Sparta IV and General Skobelev, which were returning from the Mediterranean. HMS Ledbury met Stoikiy late on May 18, monitoring the warship through the Dover Strait during its westbound journey – before HMS Hurworth took over the next day off Brighton, and kept watch as Stoikiy met the two merchant vessels south-west of Land's End. The minehunter then tracked the group eastbound through the Channel and into the North Sea until the operation ended on the afternoon of May 22. During the eastbound trip, a Merlin Mk2 helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose monitored the Russian group, with aircraft and warships from Nato allies also involved. The warship subsequently escorted the two cargo ships eastbound, watched by HMS Hurworth, also based in Portsmouth. L/Cdr Bradshaw, commanding officer of minehunter HMS Hurworth, said: 'Monitoring activity on the seas and seabed around the UK is one of the core roles of the Royal Navy's 2nd Mine-Countermeasures Squadron. 'This operation was all in a day's work for the ship's company, who have shown great professionalism. 'We have kept a constant watch to ensure the security and integrity of the UK's critical sea lanes.' Lieutenant Commander Craig Clark, commanding officer of HMS Ledbury, said: 'Escorting Russian vessels through UK waters is a vital demonstration of our unwavering commitment to national security.' Able seaman mine warfare Wayne Slater, from HMS Hurworth, said: 'Driving the ship close to the Russian vessels has been a new experience for me as a helmsman. 'Everything has been safe and professional but we're all trained to make sure we can respond to any aggression or incident whenever non-allied warships are operating near UK waters.' Lieutenant Patrick Bingham, gunnery officer from HMS Hurworth, added: 'As a former merchant navy officer, I know how important freedom of the seas is to the lifeline of goods and raw materials upon which our economy depends. 'The Royal Navy has been a guardian of the freedom of the seas for centuries and I am privileged to have contributed to this mission.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Russian vessels in UK waters tracked by Royal Navy for second time this month
Russian vessels in the English Channel and Outer Hebrides have been monitored by the Royal Navy for the second time in May. A five-day operation which began on May 18 tracked Russian vessels and escorted them through UK waters, the Royal Navy said. It followed the activation of HMS Tyne three weeks ago. Warships and helicopters were activated in a bid to 'ensure the security and integrity of the UK's critical sea-lanes', Lieutenant Commander James Bradshaw said. Russian intelligence-gathering ship Yuri Ivanov was monitored in waters off the Outer Hebrides following the completion of major Nato exercise Formidable Shield nearby, on May 21-23, the Navy said. HMS Dragon, a destroyer based in Portsmouth, launched a Merlin helicopter to collect aerial information until the Yuri Ivanov headed north towards its base in the Arctic. Three Russian vessels, two cargo boats and a warship, RFN Stoikiy, were shadowed by HMS Ledbury, HMS Hurworth and 814 Naval Air Squadron, the Royal Navy added. Stoikiy, a Steregushchiy-class corvette, sailed west through the Channel to meet two merchant vessels, Sparta IV and General Skobelev, which were returning from the Mediterranean. HMS Ledbury met Stoikiy late on May 18, monitoring the warship through the Dover Strait during its westbound journey – before HMS Hurworth took over the next day off Brighton, and kept watch as Stoikiy met the two merchant vessels south-west of Land's End. The minehunter then tracked the group eastbound through the Channel and into the North Sea until the operation ended on the afternoon of May 22. During the eastbound trip, a Merlin Mk2 helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose monitored the Russian group, with aircraft and warships from Nato allies also involved. The warship subsequently escorted the two cargo ships eastbound, watched by HMS Hurworth, also based in Portsmouth. L/Cdr Bradshaw, commanding officer of minehunter HMS Hurworth, said: 'Monitoring activity on the seas and seabed around the UK is one of the core roles of the Royal Navy's 2nd Mine-Countermeasures Squadron. 'This operation was all in a day's work for the ship's company, who have shown great professionalism. 'We have kept a constant watch to ensure the security and integrity of the UK's critical sea lanes.' Lieutenant Commander Craig Clark, commanding officer of HMS Ledbury, said: 'Escorting Russian vessels through UK waters is a vital demonstration of our unwavering commitment to national security.' Able seaman mine warfare Wayne Slater, from HMS Hurworth, said: 'Driving the ship close to the Russian vessels has been a new experience for me as a helmsman. 'Everything has been safe and professional but we're all trained to make sure we can respond to any aggression or incident whenever non-allied warships are operating near UK waters.' Lieutenant Patrick Bingham, gunnery officer from HMS Hurworth, added: 'As a former merchant navy officer, I know how important freedom of the seas is to the lifeline of goods and raw materials upon which our economy depends. 'The Royal Navy has been a guardian of the freedom of the seas for centuries and I am privileged to have contributed to this mission.'
