Gone fishing - Isle of Arran. Scotland year of food & drink.

It’s the year of Scotland food & drink & I've had the privilege of photographing some fantastic food products on the Isle of Arran, from exquisite restaurant plates, succulent cuts of meat and some fine fish.  But I also got the chance to see where some of the local produce comes from, specifically seafood, courtesy of Creelers of Arran.  The quality of the product reflects the state of our coast, for which some credit has to go to COAST & Howard Wood who has just won the Goldman Environmental Prize for Europe.

The 'Julie-Anne' Owned by Tim James of Creelers

It has to be said that the stunning blue skies and flat calm seas are not the conditions the fishermen are used to but I put in a special request so that my camera wouldn't get ‘sprayed’ on as conditions would be difficult enough – have you seen the size of these small creel boats – and no sign of a bar for my 6 o'clock g & t!

Heading out to the 'pots' looking back towards Holy Isle.

But maybe I should start with what a ‘Creel’ is?  Often referred to as ‘pots’, these are a passive form of fishing (i.e. you don’t have to be there when the fish are caught).  And it’s a big industry in Scotland, according to the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation it supports more jobs around the coast of Scotland than any other type of fishery. 

Checking the pots for the catch

So back to the Creel.  Traditionally it’s a wicker basket, but nowadays made of net, which is baited and left on the seabed with the hope that a lobster, crab or prawn will enter for food and get trapped until the creel is retrieved.  This type of fishing is sustainable and selective.

Brown crab clings to the inside of the pot

Only the target catch is retained, the by-catch (those just in the pots for a free lunch and unwanted) are returned to the sea unharmed. It also means that smaller, young or ‘berried’ (the term for the eggs) female lobsters can be returned. 

These urchins were returned to the sea after their moment in front of the camera

At this early time of the year, all the lobster are too small / young or berried, but there was still plenty of viable ‘catch’, with crabs, langoustine and squab lobster (resembles a bug more than a lobster!).

Small lobster gently returned to the sea unharmed.

Largely the 'by catch' seemed to be small crabs, which were shaken over the side, sometimes to awaiting gulls, which collected around the boat.

Small crabs are trapped within the pot when taking advantage of a free lunch

The catch is separated on the boat with the large crabs going into a bucket and the langoustine into special segmented trays. 

Brown crabs 

Depending on the target catch, creels are baited with fresh fish or salted fish.  Fresh for the crabs and lobster, salted for the prawns. 

Bait is placed into a cage within the pot.

The buoys mark where the pots are and there can be many pots on one line.  How the fishermen know which belong to them, I guess comes with experience, as several lines were out within very close distances.

Looking back towards Brodick before the pots are dropped.

Each pot is brought up, empties, re baited and then put onto the back of the boat until the line is finished, and then they are all returned to either the same place, or moved to a better fishing ground. 

Moving to the next fishing ground in the evening sun.

The evening chilled and we moved across the bay to the prawn pots.  The first thing that struck me was the vibrant colour of the langoustine as the were brought up. These chappies were destined for the dinner plate in Creelers Restaurant. 

Gently emptying the prawn pots. 

Each langoustine (prawn) was placed into it's own section of tray to keep them in pristine condition and as with the previous pots, all by catch was returned to the sea.  

Prawn escapes from its holding cell!

All pots empties and baited, they were flung back at high speed (no wonder fishing is dangerous), along the seabed.

Creel leaves the boat in a greater hurry than it got in.

The evening done, I took advantage of the sun setting with the seagulls scavenging for discarded bait to take some scenic shots.

Seagulls gather for the discarded bait.

 A big thanks to Creelers of Arran, and other food producers on the island for providing us with such fantastic food, not just for Scotland's year of food and drink, but every year. 

Other links that may be of interest:-
Creelers of Arran
Visit Scotland - Food & drink 
Taste of Arran
Visit Arran - Food & Drink

Getting to the finish line (Days 163 - 173)

Day 163 - Wild rose

It's Saturday, Day 163 and I can't think or function and it has nothing to do with completing my tax return this morning.  No, the fact is its only 7 days to the Gate the Gate 5km fun run at Brodick Castle and I have a niggly injury that just keeps playing up. I do not feel ready!

Day 164 - Looking up

I am flat on my back and pondering the patterns of the leaves as I catch my breath - no I haven't been running!  I ended up flat on my back as I slipped and instead of saving myself I saved the camera.

Day 165 - Gaining height

My regular Monday evening students gaining some height (after a full risk assessment) as they practice some landscape skills.  Speed was also required - who could complete the challenge I set before being eaten by the midges.

Day 166 - Fly

Tonight should be the last training session before the race (its never far from my thoughts at the moment) and I've decided to rest.  This is me being sensible - I know I can do 5km, even if I walk it, but my competitive streak says I want a good time (for me that's not coming last).

Day 167 - New shoes

Gone are the days of high heels and power dressing, it's now all walking boots and trainers.  I know I shouldn't wear new trainers on the day but my old ones are knackered and lack support and these feel really comfy.

Day 168 - Scottish Thistle

Think of Scotland and kilts, bagpipes and thistles come to mind (not to mention a few other things).  The thistles are starting to really show and I love this stage, before the colour, when they look fierce and ready to spike anything that comes near.

Day 169 - Path to the swimming pools

Another hot one and I'm choosing walks for the dogs where they can get a swim or stay in shade. There's not much water in the pools but enough for a cool down.

Day 170 - Fun Run 

The day has arrived and I really don't think fun and run should be in the same sentence.  I am anxious!  It's hot and the hill on Castle Drive is hard to walk up never mind run.  But off I set and soon meet up with my running group, who are all equally nervous.  Some of the more advanced runners have raced before, but for my group we are all first timers.  Laura & Marion, Run Arran, have done a fantastic job of organising everything - Mountain rescue and Doctors all in place and the promise of cream scones afterwards.  And before I knew it I'd finished (not going to mention the painful slog up the hill).   I may even sign up for next years run.

Day 171 - Waverley

Back to normal today and a leisurely stroll around the coast to spot the Peregrine chicks, Stonechats and watch the Waverley pass by after its trip around Ailsa Craig.

Day 172 - The Ferry Challenge

Monday evening again and another student challenge - this time around the Calmac ferry terminal.  Whilst my students did their thing, I chatted to Neil who works for Calmac to find out that he's a fabulously talented artist, who trained at the Manchester School of Art and does amazing pencil portraits (and other subjects). His drawings looked like black and white photographs they were so realistic.

Day 173 - Lily

This just caught my eye, as the light caught the Lily against a dark hedge and it may be the last day of sunshine for a while, as rain is forecast.

Loch Muick, Scotland

Views in Glen Muick

Loch Muick sits on the Balmoral Estate and is a great area for walking at a low level.  The area is protected and has woodland, loch and mountain flora and fauna.  Snow can be seen on the mountains until early summer reminding everyone of the need for care if hiking upwards!

The day I visited I truly had the 4 season experience with sunshine and snow within a matter of minutes!  The drive to the Loch is down a beautiful narrow road (single track in places) with fabulous views and deer clearly on view.  A large car park marks the start of the walk (and I was thankful for having the £1 coins required).

A path circumnavigates the whole loch and is very easy for the most part.  A little rocky at the farthest end of the loch but still easy.  I enjoyed numerous birds along the way who were busy singing for mates and preparing for nesting.

But it really was the views that captured my attention (especially when the black clouds loomed overhead). But for those who like buildings you walk directly past Glas-allt Shiel House, a retreat build and used by Queen Victoria.  Now sadly boarded up.

The walk, although easy shouldn't be underestimated as it is just short of 8 miles long and there is a detour up to some waterfalls that can be taken near the House.  Unfortunately I gave this a miss as I knew the distance already planned was going to be enough for one of my dogs (not all dogs can run all day)!

We stopped for a picnic half way round at a point when the sun was shining and just sat for a while. Before making the last push back to the car park where the deer were wandering around!

A full route description can be found on the Walk the highlands site, along with other walks in the area.

Another mixed bag (Day 134 - 143)

Another instalment in my 365 project has seen me considering subjects for Black and White that I would never have contemplated before. Not all of them work and if it wasn't for my commercial jobs I think I would seriously be craving more colour.

Day 134 - Scouting the route for the land rover photo safari in Glen Rosa

The week has swapped between needing filters to flippers as the strong sunlight cast dark shadows and midday was not ideal for delicate subjects.  But the cloud looked stunning in bright blue skies (ok so it comes out grey in this project). Glen Rosa is always beautiful whatever the weather and I'm looking forward to doing a land rover safari with the rangers on the 13th June.

Day 135 - Full day family workshop to celebrate a birthday, went to see the seals at Kildonan

Day 135 and the planning for a surprise workshop for a 40th birthday arrived.  All the family came (well four of them) and we had a great day around the island.  The weather forecast had been abysmal but in the end we had sunshine all day.

Day 136 - Carved and cut leaves in the Glade at Brodick Castle

Sunday the 25th and I had a job for Creative Scotland to photograph the work of Karen Rann, Artist in Residence at Brodick Castle. As 2pm approached so did the black skies and it wasn't long before thunder rumbled and lightening flashed.  The guests still arrived and sipped the bubbly whilst sheltering under trees (I'm not sure this is actually advisable in thunder storms).  But the storm passed and we listened to Sara Maitland read her story and enjoyed the tranquillity of the Glade.

Day 137 - No time for tea

It's late and I was still working.  I hadn't done my photo of the day as I was still editing.  I was hungry and tired but couldn't be bothered to cook.  Beer and chocolate seemed the ideal solution to all of my needs!

Day 138 - Laura trying to avoid the camera

Running night and a hot and sticky run through trails with a quite horrible hill at the end - just slow enough for the midges to gather - I swear I could hear them sniggering at the thought of us stopping for the warm down! It was a fast warm down, virtually impossible to do with the swarms that gathered and we all quickly departed.

Day 139 - Watson after a cool down in the river

Watson has decided its spring, that means he is no longer listening to me but looking for mischief!  Usually in the form of pheasant that seem to be abundant wherever we walk.  Even the tennis ball pales to insignificance if a bird runs in front of him.  Determined to tire him out, a walk up the Iorsa River with the ball thrower seemed to do the trick.

Day 140 - Lady Jean Fforde

Is it rude to discuss a Lady's age?  I really don't think so when it is a matter of record and it is in admirable terms.  Lady Jean is still working away, aged 93, signing her book Castles to Catastrophes and selling her paintings. The book signing held at Strabane was well attended.

Day 141 - Lighthouse at Ardrossan Harbour

 A quick dash over to the mainland to give Watson a try out at cani-cross.  This is where a proper running/pulling harness is used to exercise the dog and owner.  It's hard work but lots of fun and he really took to the harness and enjoyed working.  I'm sure there will be photo's of this to follow at some time but I really can't master the harness and a camera at the same time just yet!

Day 142 - Mr & Mrs MacHale

Working on the sidelines at Altachorvie during Katy and Paddy's wedding I couldn't resist a snap of the lovely couple.  The day was beautifully sunny which matched the pale yellow bridesmaid dresses and bouquets. A lovely relaxed day and I wish them lots of luck for the future.

Glen Tanar. Aberdeenshire

Occasionally I do a blog of something 'off island' and this is one of those (but you will note its still in Scotland).  I recently stayed at Glen Tanar in Aberdeenshire, a small estate tucked nicely into the Royal Deeside area and another haven for wildlife (Eagles, Osprey, Black Grouse, Deer).

An area seeped in history with plenty of historic sites and interesting architecture.

Like Arran there is plenty of walking around on mixed low and high level paths, and it has to be said that even in May there was snow on the tops.  But I was here for a bit of R & R, so didn't plan any major mountain excursions.

The Gnome house

Wandering around the many marked and easy going paths I came across this little building which I nick-named the Gnome house (for no reason whatsoever).  At the side of the 'Water of Tanar' I could see it had been some type of pump, fallen into disrepair.  A conversation or two later and I understand it was a turbine that helped provide the power for the little church nearby (Chapel of St. Lesmo) and the organ.

Scenic Trout Loch

I decided to take an evening land rover safari through the Estate, escorted by Mike the Ranger and we bumped and climbed up forest tracks, through some amazing woodland and ancient forest.  The deer frequently skirted our path and cross the track - always scampering away as soon as the camera got anywhere near.

Views across the valley at dusk.

Not that I expected to get any great images going out in drizzle as the light was fading.  But that tends to be when wildlife is quite active and I was really wanting to scout the area for future visits.

The Estate is known for Ospreys, hen harriers and eagles.

The Osprey nest (seriously cropped image using a 400mm lens) was visible in the distance with 'mum' low down on the eggs.  We keep our distance so as not to disturb this fabulous bird at such a crucial time of breeding.

A small amount of cloud inversion as the last of the light faded.

Every time I asked to stop, Mike obliged and I took the odd snap to try to capture the quiet feel of the evening as the temperatures dropped and light faded.

'Luxury'

And a surprise hamper appeared with some biscuits made by 'Liz' and lots of hot coffee before we moved on.  Beats my old camping stove that I use for my clients - think I may have to upgrade!

Sky lights

But the night drew in and we managed to have a quick look at a few spots before returning back to the main Estate. Including a little spot called the 'traveller's rest'. A small area, where there are stones to sit on and little carvings in the rocks (a feature across the estate to be looked out for).

 And as you can imagine it was placed at a point just after a steep section of track (depending on whether you were going up or down).

The land rover stopped at the 'Rest'

I found the Estate peaceful and welcoming, I will be going back.  And for anyone looking for a big wedding venue (over 100) just look at where they hold the ceremony (Ballroom).

The Ballroom at Glen Tanar House