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.