This weekend a pod of whales were at risk of beaching in Loch Carnan, South Uist.

A host of images are available on the BBC website of the whales.

South Uist (Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Deas) is an island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. There is a nature reserve and a number of sites of archaeological interest, including the only location in Great Britain where prehistoric mummies have been found. The population is about 70% Roman Catholic. The island, in common with the rest of the Hebrides, is one of the last remaining strongholds of the Gaelic language in Scotland. In 2006 South Uist, and neighbouring Benbecula and Eriskay were involved in Scotland’s biggest community land buyout to date. In the north west there is a missile testing range. Its inhabitants are known in Gaelic as “Deasaich” (Southerners).

There is a planned wind farm near Loch Carnan, where profits generated from the sale of electricity will be re-invested in the local community. However, as you can read here, the wind farm is at the centre of controversy, which does not yet appear to be resolved.