An Arran blog by Jacqueline and Geoff, on and about the Isle of Arran, Scotland

Keep alert on Arran Fells for Adders

27/9/2014

This Adder nearly ruined our Walk

Today we walked up by Dougarie Lodge at Machrie and climber to Loch Iorsa. A mile or so into the walk our Airedale began jumping in and out of the heather, finally to emerge with this Adder at close hand. On the way back down we saw another. Apparently its a bumper year for them.

They are obviously dangerous, being the UK's only venomous snake and any incidents should be treated with the utmost care and speed.

Dogs and Adders

Humans and Adders

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The Isle of Arran in Vintage Postcards

25/9/2014

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Brodick Castle, Isle of Arran, Scotland

Isle of Arran & Loch Ascog from Canada Hill Circa 1985

Cordon, Lamlash, Isle of Arran, Scotland

Brodick Bay & Goatfell, Arran circa 1930 Scotland

View from Golf Course, Whiting Bay, Arran circa 1957 Scotland

Druidical Stone & Goatfell, Arran, Scotland

North Goatfell from Ben Tarsuinn, Arran, Scotland

Entrance to Glen Sannox, Arran, Scotland

Lamlash Main Street circa 1907, Arran, Scotland

Wonderful Images of the Past available to buy

We are following our friends @OldPostcards on Twitter, and when they posted one of these evocative cards of Arran I thought what a lovely feature they would make on our blog. So, with their permission here are a few of the ones they have on offer and you can see more here.

Click on any image to open the lightbox and enjoy them in all their glory.

Postcards of other areas are available (and searchable) on their main site www.oldpostcardsetc.co.uk

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Enjoying afternoon sunshine at The Drift Inn

23/9/2014

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One of the great spots to be on a sunny afternoon in Lamlash on the Isle of Arran. The Drift Inn does more than a fab view across to Holy Isle too, with a varied menu, fresh coffee and enjoyable music sessions.

Check out their website or follow them on Twitter @InnDrift

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5 Reasons to Visit the Isle of Arran

23/9/2014

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Reason No.1 'The Ferry'

And your holiday really does begin here.

Friendly staff, great fresh coffee, dog friendly and that amazing feeling of 'leaving it all behind' and heading off to one of Scotland's most accessible islands.

Caledonian MacBrayne operate regular daily trips to and from the Isle of Arran from the port at Ardrossan in North Ayrshire, and fares are now substantially reduced. Cars are over 50% cheaper (compared to a standard single) whilst passengers are nearly 30% better off.

Calmac ferry 'Caledonian Isles' heading out of Ardrossan

Reason No.2 'The Walk'

Beach, fell, forrest or path, it's going to be a good one, and Arran certainly has something for everyone no matter what your ability is. The mighty Goatfell rising to 874 meters or the gentle flat stroll along 'Fisherman's Walk' and many more in-between

Kit out the children (yes it might rain!) and they'll forget their game wizards and iboxes (sic) as they get immersed in the wonderment of waterfalls and wildlife.
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Glenrosa from Brodick

Reason No.3 'The Food'

Yes, Arran does a fantastic job with locally produced fare, but don't think our island is behind the times when it comes to creating mouth watering contemporary dishes in great surroundings.

Wherever you are on Arran you will not be far away from a cafe, bistro or restaurant that prides itself on preparing fresh ingredients with a touch of creative flare.

Do check on opening times if you are visiting out of season!

Sea food and more on Arran

Reason No.4 'The Wildlife'

And you have so much to choose from!

The north of the island, in and around Lochranza, you are bound to come across Red Deer.These will be either roaming the fell on the way to 'Fairy Dell' or on the golf course, and if you are really lucky you may just get a glimpse of the Golden Eagles by the distillery.

Although found in other areas of the coast, Seals are best discovered on the outcrops of rock in the south at Kildonan Bay.

In Brodick, on the 'Fisherman's Walk', you could be only meters away from one or two Herons, and really the list goes on; Red Squirrel; Sea Otters; Harriers; Dolphins; Gannets . . .

Seal basking near Kildonan

Reason No.5 'The Rainbows'

I don't think I'm going to shatter anyone's illusions by saying that if you visit Arran in Autumn you may get a shower or two!

The great thing about island weather, is one minute is never the same as the next and sunshine with rain equals rainbows. If you're fortunate you may get a full panorama like this one, or maybe a double arc heavily saturated against a moody black sky.

Enjoy them!

Rainbow over Brodick Bay

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Islands of Pladda and Ailsa Craig seen from Kildonan beach on Arran

18/9/2014

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Pladda

Pladda (Scottish Gaelic: Pladaigh) is an uninhabited island 1 km off the south coast of the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde at grid reference NS027191, western Scotland. It is home to the automated Pladda Lighthouse. The island is privately owned, having been put up for sale by Arran Estate in 1990

There appears to have been a church or chapel on Pladda. John of Fordun and other chroniclers from 1400 to 1500 speak of the isle of St Blase of Pladda.
Nothing now remains to mark its site, and its whereabouts are unknown.

(Source Wikipdia)

Ailsa Craig

Ailsa Craig (/ˈ eɪ l s ə /; Scottish Gaelic: Creag Ealasaid) is an island of 219.69 acres in the outer Firth of Clyde, 10 miles from mainland Scotland, upon which blue hone granite was quarried to make curling stones. The now uninhabited island is formed from the volcanic plug of an extinct volcano.

The island, colloquially known as "Paddy's milestone",[6] was a haven for Catholics during the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century, but is today a bird sanctuary, providing a home for huge numbers of gannets and an increasing number of puffins.

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King's Caves Photography with Aerial Drone

1/9/2014

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Unique viewpoint adds drama to the location

The King's Caves near Machrie, on the west coast of the Isle of Arran, are a dramatic spectacle renowned for their (would be) connection of being the refuge of Robert the Bruce. These natural sandstone caves are the pilgrimage of many a visitor (and local) from either the car park at Machrie or the more enduring walk from Blackwaterfoot.

There can't be many instances when a photographer feels they could be the first one to capture a given image of the landscape, certainly in a viewpoint perspective, but I'm quietly confident that this may just be the case with this shot?

I'll hold my breath until someone tells me otherwise!

The Quadcopter with HD camera

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Keep alert on Arran Fells for Adders

This Adder nearly ruined our Walk

The Isle of Arran in Vintage Postcards

Wonderful Images of the Past available to buy

Enjoying afternoon sunshine at The Drift Inn

5 Reasons to Visit the Isle of Arran

Reason No.1 'The Ferry'

Reason No.2 'The Walk'

Reason No.3 'The Food'

Reason No.4 'The Wildlife'

Reason No.5 'The Rainbows'

Islands of Pladda and Ailsa Craig seen from Kildonan beach on Arran

Pladda

Ailsa Craig

King's Caves Photography with Aerial Drone

Unique viewpoint adds drama to the location

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