The tide in the Sound of Islay whisked us south to the Carrag an t-Sruith lighthouse. Unfortunately it was not big enough to have its name painted on the side, thus somewhat hindering its navigational usefulness.
Useful though white painted lighthouses may be to navigators, we noticed a much more interesting building on the far side of the Sound, which was also painted white.
This one is quite
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A night with the angels on the Sound of Islay.
We soon had the fire going and cracked open the 18year old Caol Isla (“Sound of Islay”) malt whisky, which had been distilled just a few kilometres away on the Islay side of the Sound. The midges clearly appreciated the local spirit as well, though they seemed to have had enough by nightfall.
Fortunately they disappeared after dark. As the night wore on the embers of our fire slowly died away
Fortunately they disappeared after dark. As the night wore on the embers of our fire slowly died away
Mist in the Sound of Islay
Paddling to the east the tall tower of the Ruvaal lighthouse announced our arrival at the Sound of Islay.
A band of low cloud was streaming up the Sound between Islay and Jura.
The tide was running quickly so we set off at a high ferry angle toward Jura. However, despite our ferry angle, we were carried 1km down tide on a 4.7km crossing! The Paps were still partially shrouded in the mist as we
A band of low cloud was streaming up the Sound between Islay and Jura.
The tide was running quickly so we set off at a high ferry angle toward Jura. However, despite our ferry angle, we were carried 1km down tide on a 4.7km crossing! The Paps were still partially shrouded in the mist as we
The dykes of the north coast of Islay.
All too soon, the tidal assistance came to an end when we rounded the point below the Rhuvaal lighthouse.
Sadly, the original lantern and rotating lens of this beautiful lighthouse has been replaced by what looks like a 100 Watt bulb on the end of a pole! However, the stonework of the tower has recently been painted and it was looking very well maintained.
From Rhuvaal we turned westwards
Sadly, the original lantern and rotating lens of this beautiful lighthouse has been replaced by what looks like a 100 Watt bulb on the end of a pole! However, the stonework of the tower has recently been painted and it was looking very well maintained.
From Rhuvaal we turned westwards
The start of another Islay adventure.
It was with considerable anticipation that Phil and I viewed Port Ellen as the ferry from Kintyre...
...approached the terminal on Islay's southern coast. Islay's characteristic whitewashed buildings with black painted windows crowded round the bays on either side of the jetty.
We then drove north to Islay's second terminal, Port Askaig. As we launched from the little harbour, the flood tide
...approached the terminal on Islay's southern coast. Islay's characteristic whitewashed buildings with black painted windows crowded round the bays on either side of the jetty.
We then drove north to Islay's second terminal, Port Askaig. As we launched from the little harbour, the flood tide
Sailing into the lee of Holy Island by sea kayak.
From Kingscross Point we crosssed the southern entrance of Lamlash Bay to the south end of Holy Island.
The brisk crossing was rewarded with a wonderful view from the Holy Island inner light into Lamlash Bay and the Arran mountains beyond. Since 2008 the north part of Lamlash Bay has been a protected marine reserve with a complete ban on commercial and recreational fishing. The great news is
The brisk crossing was rewarded with a wonderful view from the Holy Island inner light into Lamlash Bay and the Arran mountains beyond. Since 2008 the north part of Lamlash Bay has been a protected marine reserve with a complete ban on commercial and recreational fishing. The great news is
A big cave and big appetites at Kildonan, Arran
From the sadly deserted beach at Cleit Shore we sped past huge boulder beaches until a dramatic change in the landscape announced our arrival at Bennan Head, which marks the southern tip of Arran.
Just offshore lies Pladda which is the second biggest of Arran's three satellite isles: Holy Island, then Pladda, then tiny Hamilton Isle.
We were sailing and paddling at 9-10km per hour and David
Just offshore lies Pladda which is the second biggest of Arran's three satellite isles: Holy Island, then Pladda, then tiny Hamilton Isle.
We were sailing and paddling at 9-10km per hour and David
White like a swan...
From the foghorn we made our way back to the lighthouse.
It is now fully automatic and solar powered.
Unlike some lighthouses, it still has a proper lens system. This rotate continuously, even during day time, for increased reliability.
The lighthouse itself is immaculately maintained with gleaming whitewash...
...but sadly, the former keeper's cottages have fallen into disrepair after the NLB
It is now fully automatic and solar powered.
Unlike some lighthouses, it still has a proper lens system. This rotate continuously, even during day time, for increased reliability.
The lighthouse itself is immaculately maintained with gleaming whitewash...
...but sadly, the former keeper's cottages have fallen into disrepair after the NLB
The missing anvil of Ailsa Craig.
After the gasworks we came to the quarry man's house. I stayed here for nearly a week in the summer of 1973.
We continued south to the old forge buildings. They were relatively intact in 1973 but have been demolished to reclaim their granite blocks.
Somewhere I have an old transparency of the huge anvil but despite its size, there was no sign of it now.
The old bellows from the forge were
We continued south to the old forge buildings. They were relatively intact in 1973 but have been demolished to reclaim their granite blocks.
Somewhere I have an old transparency of the huge anvil but despite its size, there was no sign of it now.
The old bellows from the forge were
A little rusty on Ailsa Craig.
From the shore of Ailsa Craig, we made our way up past the now solar powered (2001) and automated (1990) lighthouse.
The lighthouse was completed in 1886 by Thomas and David Stevenson. It originally had 3 keepers and was an oil burning light. A little railway was used to haul cans of oil up from the jetty. Unfortunately the bogey was now overturned and rusting away. The railway was also used by
The lighthouse was completed in 1886 by Thomas and David Stevenson. It originally had 3 keepers and was an oil burning light. A little railway was used to haul cans of oil up from the jetty. Unfortunately the bogey was now overturned and rusting away. The railway was also used by
Clearing the air on the way to Ailsa Craig.
Gradually the mist cleared and Ailsa Craig emerged on the Horizon. A stream of cloud from its summit made it look as if it was still an active volcano.
It takes a long time for the rock to get much bigger.
A light NW breeze got up and brought some low clouds across the sky but at sea level the air became extraordinarily clear. We picked out the castle, which is about 1/3 of the way up to the
It takes a long time for the rock to get much bigger.
A light NW breeze got up and brought some low clouds across the sky but at sea level the air became extraordinarily clear. We picked out the castle, which is about 1/3 of the way up to the
Preparations for invasion in Caladh Harbour.
Near the head of the Kyles of Bute we first passed a monstrosity of a fish farm but then approached the beautiful wooded isle of Eilean Dubh.
A stone lighthouse marks the entrance to the delightfully hidden Caladh Harbour which nestles behind the isle. The light has long gone but the whitewashed tower is a great landmark for the harbour beyond.
Not much remains. A rusting derrick still swings
A stone lighthouse marks the entrance to the delightfully hidden Caladh Harbour which nestles behind the isle. The light has long gone but the whitewashed tower is a great landmark for the harbour beyond.
Not much remains. A rusting derrick still swings
Skating about Skate Island: a baby basking shark.
From Portavadie, we set off down Loch Fyne to Sgat Mor, big skate island.
The little lighthouse used to be powered by propane and is almost all gas tank. It looked like a rocket. Nowadays it is solar powered.
Between the island and the mainland something skating about at high speed on the water surface caught our eye.
What on earth was it?
It was a baby basking shark, less than two meters
The little lighthouse used to be powered by propane and is almost all gas tank. It looked like a rocket. Nowadays it is solar powered.
Between the island and the mainland something skating about at high speed on the water surface caught our eye.
What on earth was it?
It was a baby basking shark, less than two meters
A Lady like landing.
Our journey to Lady Isle continued unhindered by further ships. About half way across, we could just begin to see the lighthouse on the horizon.
The mountains of Arran lay far to the west and the wind increased as we paddled further into the open waters of the Firth of Clyde.
As we approached Lady Isle, the sea became shallower and together with a little increase in wind and swell, conditions
The mountains of Arran lay far to the west and the wind increased as we paddled further into the open waters of the Firth of Clyde.
As we approached Lady Isle, the sea became shallower and together with a little increase in wind and swell, conditions
Ready for some windy fun on the Clyde.
Saturday's XC weather, forecast for Troon.
Saturday's MagicSeaweed, surf forecast for Machrihanish.
Saturday's forecast for Troon, in the Firth of Clyde, showed that the predicted gales were not expected to arrive until well into Saturday evening. The surf at Machrihanish was predicted to be 9.5 feet in advance of the arrival of the approaching Atlantic low pressure system. Tony and I decided to
Saturday's MagicSeaweed, surf forecast for Machrihanish.
Saturday's forecast for Troon, in the Firth of Clyde, showed that the predicted gales were not expected to arrive until well into Saturday evening. The surf at Machrihanish was predicted to be 9.5 feet in advance of the arrival of the approaching Atlantic low pressure system. Tony and I decided to
The Grey Dogs were salivating, while awaiting our arrival.
It was a cold, grey, January day but the promise of spring tides took us to Ellenabeich on the Island of Seil. David, Jennifer, Jim, Phil and I launched our kayaks in the little harbour of this former slate mining centre.
The harbour at Ellenabeich is sheltered from the open Firth of Lorn by the island of Easdale which lies just over 100m across the Sound of Easdale. A little passenger ferry
The harbour at Ellenabeich is sheltered from the open Firth of Lorn by the island of Easdale which lies just over 100m across the Sound of Easdale. A little passenger ferry
A barren point and fateful decision.
We set off from Tobermory, past the RNLI Severn class lifeboat Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsay, to cross the Sound of Mull for the second time that day. We were bound for Auliston Point, the NW tip of Morvern.
Rubha nan Gall lighthouse stands at the NW entrance to the Sound of Mull with the Ardnamurchan peninsula behind.The lighthouse was built in 1857 by David and Thomas Stevenson. It flashes once
Rubha nan Gall lighthouse stands at the NW entrance to the Sound of Mull with the Ardnamurchan peninsula behind.The lighthouse was built in 1857 by David and Thomas Stevenson. It flashes once
A lone watcher on the cliffs and a horrid murder.
From Dove Cave we allowed the flood tide to propel us along an incredibly convoluted coast of upended greywacke strata.
The contrast with the open expanse of Wigtown Bay could not have been greater.
Near Borness Point we saw a lone figure who watched or progress along this apparently wild coast. Up on the cliff tops all is not so wild, it is a golf course!
There was superb rock hopping as we
The contrast with the open expanse of Wigtown Bay could not have been greater.
Near Borness Point we saw a lone figure who watched or progress along this apparently wild coast. Up on the cliff tops all is not so wild, it is a golf course!
There was superb rock hopping as we
Sea kayaking desktop wallpaper calendar 2011
I wish a belated Happy New Year to all visitors to seakayakphoto.com. As way of a celebration of the last year and in anticipation of sea kayaking adventures yet to come, here is the 7th annual sea kayaking desktop wallpaper calendar from seakayakphoto.com. The above link will lead to high resolution photos in four different desktop sizes.
January, Arran, Firth of Clyde.
February, Loch Creran,
January, Arran, Firth of Clyde.
February, Loch Creran,
Making light work of a huge volume of melt and a small volume of malt.
It did not take long to reach the Little (Wee) Cumbrae from Portencross. One of the first Scottish light beacons to warn shipping is situated on the summit of the island. It is a simple round tower, 8.5m high, which...
... was built by James Ewing in 1757. An open coal brazier was situated at its top and served as the source of light. It proved to be a profitable business as there was a tax on
... was built by James Ewing in 1757. An open coal brazier was situated at its top and served as the source of light. It proved to be a profitable business as there was a tax on
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