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

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