Zero (A to Z challenge)

I have finally reached Zero in the countdown to the finish line and what have I learned from this challenge?  Firstly I am not a writer, but neither am I a quitter (I did feel like it on several occasions). That I love [my] island - which is good as I did make a conscious effort to chase my dream and move here and I still have many places left to explore.

I also apologise to anyone who thinks they should have starred in my blog - but I made a decision to only have one main subject for each letter - and believe me it was hard to decide what to cover as Arran has so many delights.  But I'm not hanging around today, it feels like the end of term - Schools out - I'm off to play.

Hope you've enjoyed it.

The Yard (A to Z challenge)

One place I am always guaranteed to get a photograph is the yard. Just down the road in the middle of Lamlash is a small boat yard and pier where all things nautical can be found, such as the Holy Isle ferry, Ocean breeze rib tours and of course the RNLI.

The boat yard at Lamlash

Many of the yachts seem to stay put all year round but other's regularly go out to sea, and are moored in the bay.  But its not just the boats but all the other things around that can inspire an image.  There are anchors, swans, and people.

Discarded anchor

The pier is also the site of the Boxing Day Dooking!  Where the hardy (and some would say foolish) throw themselves into the sea and swim around the pier in what is often freezing temperatures.  The RNLI have staff in the water so it does not turn into a tragedy and remains a fun event. My excuse for not 'dooking' is the camera would get wet!

Old boat put to good use at Whiting Bay

Xanadu (A to Z challenge)

The dictionary definition of Xanadu is of a place of great beauty and contentment, so what more can I say about Arran as I near the end of this challenge?

The seals bask in the sunshine

I have yet to meet Kubla Khan but I'm sure he's here somewhere. But meanwhile I can wander the mountains, explore the caves, splash in the rivers and paddle in the sea. I never really got into poetry, yet I love to read books, shame on me that I rarely remember the author as I immerse myself in characters.  And I like a weighty tome as I don't want it to be over too quickly.  I also like it to be made of paper - no kindles for me!

Goatfell viewed through the forest trees

But I digress from the beauty of Arran and as I sit here and write this little note, there is a red squirrel in my garden, and about 60 birds of several varieties.

For those who wish to read the poem here's a link.

Dyemill - my daily dog walk

W is for Weddings (A to Z challenge)

Goatfell in the background of the Big Wooden House Garden

The Isle of Arran is a spectacular wedding venue and has plenty of unique places for people to get married. Every wedding is special but I just love to see the men in kilts with thistle button holes, gathering to the sound of bagpipes awaiting the bride.

Brodick Bay with Brodick Castle

Several of our venues have wedding organisers to smooth arrangements, make sure flowers and pipers arrive - all locally provided, not to mention the catering.  Lucky couples can get married outside (weather permitting), with views to Goatfell, on the beach or in beautiful gardens.

Gardens at the Auchrannie

Some of the venues, such as The Big Wooden House and Altachorvie, both set in fabulous grounds, offer exclusive use and full wedding packages, others like the Auchrannie have private rooms for ceremonies and dining along with a lovely sunken garden.

And if you're not quite ready for the wedding but planning a stag / hen do, we do those too!

Visit Arran (A to Z challenge)

Visit Arran stand

 Visit Arran works tirelessly to promote our little island as a tourist destination.  The Isle of Arran is known as Scotland in Miniature as it seems to have everything, in particular mountains and wildlife (red squirrel, red deer, golden eagle, seals and otters).

Sheila in the office

Sheila runs the day to day working, getting businesses on board, going to exhibitions, running the website & social media and is supported by a board of directors.  Amazingly, the ferry to Arran is only an hour from Glasgow on the direct train line (a bit less by car).  And if you've been following this blogging challenge you will already know a little about the island and some things that can be found.

Find Visit Arran at an exhibition and you may get a free bag!

Urie Loch, Isle of Arran (A to Z challenge)

Urie Loch - Frozen

This is just a short walk from my house, however it is quite a steep walk and qualifies as a 'good walk'! There is nothing particularly special about this Loch but being close to home and infrequently visited by locals or tourists, it's one I go to fairly often. I rarely see anyone when I do.

Bowser - one of my curious spaniels

In winter it's easy to find 'virgin' snow and sometimes the loch freezes over.  In summer it hums with insects flitting around the heather and birds.  I know the deer visit as I have seen their tracks by the water but the strangest visitor I came across was a naked man presumably meditating.  I guess he thought if he stayed quiet and still I wouldn't see him - highly unlikely that he would go unnoticed as I was accompanied by my two cocker spaniels - they miss nothing and bounded across to investigate!

My 'family' at the loch 

Tarsuinn - twice (A to Z challenge)

I ask no forgiveness for yet again reverting to the mountains for my inspiration, and use this opportunity to mention my favourite walk on Arran.  Despite being a very popular little island I am amazed that even in the height of the season I can do this walk and often not cross paths with anyone beyond the main Glen Rosa track. The three beinns takes in Beinn Nuis, Beinn Tarsuinn and Beinn a Chliabhain, a stunning route along ridges, at the side of waterfalls and with a small river crossing (that can prove difficult in winter if the waters high).  

The Old Man of Tarsuinn - on a clear day!

Next to the path is the famous (and well photographed) Old Man of Tarsuinn a naturally occurring sculpture in the many contours of the rock face.

Like all mountain routes, care must be taken especially in poor visibility or weather as navigation can be tricky - not to mention the possible confusion when you find out there are actually 2 Beinn Tarsuinn's on Arran, the second on is further to the west and not quite as high!

With my two favourite walking companions

Stones, standing and in circles! (A to Z challenge)

Follow the forest track

Arran is absolutely full of standing stones, circles and ancient stone crypts to the point that many are not marked or even noticed in everyday life.  So I decided to show you one that you may not visit, preferring to go to the larger and I have to say higher up on the reward for effort scale! At the top of the Brodick to Lamlash Road there is a car park marked Dun Fion, walking from that taking the right hand track a small sign can be found on the left to note  at this point there is an overgrown burial cairn, but go further down the steep, slippy slope and through the forest trees to a little clearing and you will find this single stone and another cairn (also overgrown), not much to see but quite a mystical place – and remember originally the forest would not have been here so the views would have been right across Lamlash Bay.

Sign at side of track where overgrown Dunan Mor Cairn can be found

If you do visit this one don’t miss out the little stone circle near the carpark!

Beyond the the cairn is a further sign heading towards Dunan Beag Cairn - fittingly slanting downwards as the slope is steep and slippy.

However I do feel I should mention some of the more famous sites such as the big standing stones on Machrie Moor where there are also at least 6 circles. Nearby is the circle at Auchagallon, not to mention the Druid stone, also at Machrie near to the Olde Byre visitor centre.  But in Brodick an unmarked stone sits at the end of the driveway to the Big Wooden House and easily goes unnoticed, as do many in the fields along the Brodick Castle driveway.

Small standing stone near the Dunan Beag cairn.

An interesting stone can be found in the forest at Stonach, where rare cup and ring markings are etched into a large slab. In Whiting Bay, a walk up the hill at Glenashdale brings you to the Giants Graves, and I could go on and on, naming different points of interest. 

Red Squirrels (A to Z challenge)

The Isle of Arran is a haven for these little creatures who are slowly being pushed out of mainland Britain by the bigger greys (and also by the pox carried by the greys).

For those who follow my blog, you will have already read about ‘stumpy’ the one with half a tail, who after a short absence has just reappeared this week.

The colour range of this little creature, is from a light orangey red right through to almost black.  They have amazing long fingers (or should I say toes - apparently they actually have fingers and toes on each paw - not sure if I believe this) and claws and swivelling joints on the ankle that allow it to sprint down tree trunks without falling.

Young squirrels are called kittens. Oh and squirrels can swim! There are some more amazing facts on this link .

Quackers! (A to Z challenge)

Ducks quack, geese honk but what do swans do.  Well apparently not quack - they hiss, so there goes  my opportunity to put up some lovely pictures of swans!  And I've settled for some ducks in flight.  Ducks are not the most graceful of birds, especially when taking flight, in fact some of the larger mallards, appear to defy gravity when taking off with their plump bodies.

Mallard in flight

Arran has an abundance of wildlife and in particular birds. For the last 34 consecutive years a bird report has been produced by the Arran Natural History Society (through the hard work of various bird recorders over the years, currently Jim Cassels) and in 2013, 160 species were recorded on Arran.

Shelduck in flight

Now ducks are often overlooked, after all, most towns have a duck pond somewhere.  And most people have at some time lobbed stale bread on some muddy bank.  But here the ducks are in their natural habitat, varied in species, with the beautifully marked Shelducks, Wigeon, Mallard, Eider, Teal, Red breasted Merganser, and other less frequent visitors, they are worth watching.  More on the birds of Arran, including recent sightings can be found here.

Wigeon in flight

Pipe Band (A to Z challenge)

What could be more Scottish than a pipe band, and of course Arran has its own. The history of the pipe band goes way back and some detail can be found on the Isle of Arran Pipe Band website.

During Brodick Highland games, many bands come and put on an amazing display culminating in a mass parade around the main show ring.  How they manage to march and play (and breath) is quite beyond me.The highland games is a true spectacle, and for anyone who has never been to an event like this, it's definitely one for the 'bucket list'.  Pipes, Scottish dancers, tossing the caber (and other huge weights), whisky, Scottish beef burgers and generally a fun time. Brodick Highland games are on 9th August this year.

The Arran pipe band can also be seen at other events on Arran throughout the year, such as the agricultural show in Lamlash, at the Castle and also at the museum.

O is for Ocean Breeze (A to Z challenge)

Russell refueling the rib

Living on an island I'm never far from the sea, in fact the road follows the coast all the way around.  I love the coast (I grew up by the seaside), whether it be sunny or stormy days, the sea constantly changes colour and if forever giving up its treasure.  I am always amazed at how many shoes get washed up! And the occasional Viking!

Ocean breeze giving some Vikings a tow (photo courtesy of David Kelso)

For those who are tempted by a little more excitement that a brisk stroll on the beach we have the aptly names Ocean Breeze Rib tours - run by Russell and Elspeth.  Trips include a jaunt around Holy Isle or Pladda, evening cruises, or my favourite out to Ailsa Craig, a crag a few miles off Arran's coast and home to thousands of sea birds.  I also hear there may be night cruises for stargazing later in the year - can't wait.

Ailsa Craig is the sugar loaf island in the background

No take zone (A to Z challenge)

Did you know that we have octopus in Lamlash bay?  Well we do, and a lot of other wonderful sealife. This is solely down to a small group of people who campaigned to preserve our seabed and this small area of sea and coast became Scotland's first 'No Take Zone'. The group (and now a charity) is called COAST - Community of Arran Seabed Trust. Their are some great images of the sealife on their website.

Signs have been placed to show the area and provide information

The 'No take zone' is designed to protect and preserve our coast and seabed, with the hope that it will encourage regeneration.  What most people don't know is that the methods of harvesting seafood, tear up the seabed in exactly the same way tree felling happens in rain forests.  The sea life (creatures and plants) are destroyed along with their habitat. Unfortunately because it is below water it is not easy to see - otherwise the outcry would be long and loud!

Holy Isle in the background

The future aim is to have a larger Marine Protection Area.

Mountain Festival (A to Z challenge)

Next month brings the annual Arran Mountain Festival between the 16th & 19th May, in an event that caters for different levels of ability with the aim of getting out there!  Not only is it packed full of walks, but also lots of social events.  It's a great opportunity to try more difficult walks such as the A'chir ridge, with trained guides to provide the necessary ropes and assistance, or just a gentle stroll while taking photographs.

One of my favourite events is the film night on the 17th - this year being held at the Altachorive - where a series of short films are shown that have been drawn from a variety of outdoor sports and previously shown at the Kendal film festival.

Some events are family orientated and others strictly 'hardcore', such as the Goatfell mountain race! Then on the Sunday night its time for more fun with the pub quiz at the Ormidale in Brodick before more walks on the Monday.

Views are guaranteed, but if the weather permits they will be spectacular!

Lamlash (A to Z challenge)

Lamlash is the largest village on the Isle of Arran and is just south of Brodick.  It sits in a sheltered bay overlooking Holy Isle.  All the main administrative functions for the island can be found here, such as the hospital, high school and police station.

Lamlash with Goatfell in the background

In the centre of Lamlash a monument can be found to commemorate the ‘Clearances’. A time when rural communities were forced move off the land and many emigrated to Canada.

Looking down to Lamlash from one of the tracks at Dyemill

But one of my favourite places is an area called Dyemill.  This is very close to my home and where I frequently walk my dogs and take photographs. There are many walks from the car park, along forest tracks, through woodland and forest, past waterfalls and along rivers. The camera helps to remind me of the beauty to be found and how it changes through the seasons, so that I don't take it for granted.

Footbridge at Dyemill

Kings Cave (A to Z challenge)

Kings cave is a group of caves that are accessible to most visitors to the Isle of Arran.  They are just north of Blackwaterfoot where there is a forestry commission car park. The caves are formed from sandstone and are steeped in history with associations to Robert the Bruce and Irish hero Fionn. Over time the cave has been used as shelter, worship and even a school.  Modern graffiti now mixes with old historic markings.

Some carvings date back many centuries, possibly even to bronze age (Machrie Moor stones are about 1 mile away) and have been worn away or overlaid by both more recent carvings and mineral deposits. A good list of the ancient carvings can be found on one of my previous blogs.

To find all the markings, a good torch is needed to light the deepest recesses of the fork, found at the back of the cave.  And don’t forget to explore the little channels and other caves around.

J is for Jurassic (A to Z challenge)

Say Jurassic and we think dinosaurs, right? And although they may not be around now, there is plenty of evidence on the Isle of Arran to prove they once roamed the land.  Ok, so maybe it’s a long time ago (230 million years) when the isle was connected to a greater land mass but they were here.

Dinosaur footprints

Footprints have been found on numerous sites that are thought to have belonged to lizard like dinosaurs, about 12 feet long, and David Attenborough visited to film a documentary that covered a series of giant millipede tracks (from an earlier period) on the North of the island. And by ‘giant’ I mean the tracks are over a foot wide!

Single large footprint

Surprisingly, I don’t know of any bones that have been found but as the footprints were only found in the last 10 years there is plenty of time for them to be discovered.

Iorsa River (A to Z challenge)

The river and Loch Iorsa are on the west side of the Isle of Arran and run through the Dougarie Estate.  The river can be fished for Salmon and Trout (with a permit, in season) and runs for several miles before joining the sea at Machrie.

River Iorsa

A track runs along the side of the river which makes for a lovely walk, but be warned there are two fords to cross.  One has a bridge, but the other does not and in all but the driest of weather there is water to paddle through. Often several inches deep (or more) it is easy to remove boots and paddle as the track is concreted at this point and easy to walk on.

River Iorsa as it enters the sea

Stunningly scenic, buzzards, eagles and red deer can often be seen, along with other birds (not to mention pheasant that are looked after on the Estate). A walk description (and picture of the ford) can be found on the Walk the Highlands website.