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

Responsible Dog Walking on Arran

23/4/2015

Bag it and Bin it . . . but please don't Leave it!

It is only when I return to certain areas of mainland walking, that I realise how fortunate the island is to have so little dog fouling left on it's beaches and paths. I, like so many who live here, exercise our dog in these public spaces and I am as vigilant as possible to 'bring out the bag' whenever the inevitable moment occurs.

Sadly there is a well meaning but misguided trend, to collect dog waste and then leave it 'to retrieve on the way back'. I hold up my hand to be counted amongst those misguided. Once, and only once, at the start of a long walk with no bins in sight, I bagged, and, placed in a wall crevice to deal with on our return . . . and yes I forgot. Some miles away I suddenly realised and I was devastated. I've never made the same mistake, because I never leave it behind.

The 'Doon' Blackwaterfoot on the Isle of Arran

19/8/2014

Drumadoon Point

Looking exceedingly beautiful in summer, this basalt cliff is one of the great features of a walk from Blackwaterfoot to the Kings Caves at Machrie (just visible on the far left of the picture).

The walk can begin at the car park at Machrie, 3k north on the A841 from Blackwaterfoot, or indeed from the village. Taking roughly 3 - 4 hours this is a round walk, which is well marked, covering approximately 5 miles. When approaching 'The Doon' your choices are the lower boulder path by the shore, a relatively easy but narrow path at the base of the cliff (not accessible in summer), or a route around the rear and over the top.

One of the benefits of beginning at the Machrie, maybe the tempting scones and coffee freshly made at 'Felicity's' by the golf course, or for those of a more hungry nature a varied lunch menu!

Cafe, Blackwaterfoot, Arran

Machrie Stones with Aerial Drone Camera

29/7/2014

Machrie Standing Stones, Arran, Scotland

Machrie Moor, on the west coast of the Isle of Arran, is the site of a number of neolithic structures dating back up to 4500 years ago. These include the six Machrie Moor Stone Circles, and the Moss Farm Road Stone Circles. The standing stones were dated back to approximately 2500 years ago but excavations in the 1980s uncovered elaborate timber structures and stone circles which dated back even further in history.

The beautiful sunshine, which until shortly before had bathed the location with late afternoon warmth, dipped behind clouds forming over Kintyre and my enthusiasm for the flight cooled somewhat. A family arrived, and not wishing to disturb their experience I sat quietly with drone resting on the grass, A conversation began and they clearly were up for seeing it fly, so up it went! On a better day I shall return.

Temporary Tarn on Secret Walk

8/3/2014

A favourite stroll

As walks go it's not long. Maybe fifteen minutes to the shore, just a simple track from road to beach, and it really isn't even much of a beach.

I can tell I'm selling this. But that's the point, I'm not, or next time I'm there, enjoying the peace, it wont be just me, sipping coffee, listening to the birds and hearing the gently lapping tide.

There are plenty of explorable paths and tracks on Arran, some obviously more popular than others, so buy yourself an OS map, be responsible, and appreciate the surroundings.

Even a flooded field can be spectacular if you take time to look!

G.

Sheep reflections, Arran Scotland

Snowy Fells from Blackwater Barn

10/11/2013

Snow on Arran Fells, Scotland

Snow capped fells on Arran, Scotland

We awoke this morning to the first light dusting of snow on the fells here on Arran. A 'wow' formed in my head and on my lips as the curtains were pulled, and before the kettle boiled I'd grabbed the camera.

GH.

Maldives? No it's the Isle of Arran

28/10/2013

Actively Breaking those Photography Rules

Beach decking at Brodick on Arran

New beach decking on 'Fishermans Walk' at Brodick on Isle of Arran

Okay, I hold my hand up with this one, it's been 'tweaked' but the light from the fading afternoon sunshine was pretty amazing, creating great shadows from the contrasting bleached uprights of the decking.

As I was playing with this image I started to realise that it actually breaks a standard 'rule' of photography (the rule of 'thirds') yet it still has a comfortable aesthetic, so why?

In a college 'print critique' sort of way, I started to analyse the shot I had taken. Not only does it break the rule of thirds, but it does so dramatically, by dividing the image exactly in half in such a way you can imagine the fold line. So my conclusion was this; the perfectly positioned yacht, and the small intersection with the handrail on the right both seem to smooth the eye's transition of the sharp line of sea and sky. The gentle stratus compliments the newly laid deck boards in a way that pure blue would not, all helping to balance out the 'error' of my compositional ways!

Do all of these thoughts pass through the mind of a photographer at the moment the shutter is pressed? Maybe, but if it does it's subliminal Somehow an image forms in the head that's right for the moment and it ends up with what you see here.

Rules eh? Good to know but even better to break.

GH.

It's just about a Beach Walk

16/10/2013

Blackwaterfoot Beach, south west Arran

Walk on Blackwaterfoot beach and each time something will be different.

The light.

Intense and low; above Kintyre, amongst Kintyre, long shadow, no shadow?

The sea.

In, out, crashing, loud, alive and joyful, or still as stillness itself?

The sand.

Rippled, smooth, wet, dry; foot-printed, bird-printed, hoof-printed; sand-castled and dappled with coloured seaweed . . or . . not?

The sky.

Azure blue, burnt orange; rain-bowed and clouded, dark as night, fresh as day?

You cannot be bored on the beach.

GH.

Doggy Holidays on Arran

23/9/2013

Beach Heaven

Out on the beach close to the waves, but not too close, stands Lenny, our gentle giant schnauzer. Hanging loose or racing along Blackwaterfoot beach is living the dream for most dogs.

When our holiday cottage was nearly ready we discussed whether or not to accept our four-legged friends. The discussions didn't last long. How could we not when our dogs love being here so much? Here's to lots of happy dogs having their perfect holidays in Green Brae and dragging their owners to the beach every morning.

JH.

The Photographer and the Swans

22/9/2013

Watching and Waiting

Yesterday, while out with the dogs in Brodick, we took a stroll down 'Fisherman's Walk', the meandering pathway that many will find on their first time on Arran. A warm day. The light jacket already retired to the rucksack.

We sat on the shore drinking coffee from the flask and munching on salted caramel cookies just purchased from the Co-op. Effie (our Airedale) busily digging around me so I'm left on a small mound of sand and Lenny (a Giant Schnauzer) relaxes in the first few metres of the gentle sea.

On our return, two swans majestically glide overhead and make a graceful perfect landing on the waters of the calm inlet that rises and falls during tides. I'm blown away. I love seeing ducks land on water and these two giant Royal birds of the air descending in front of me is a moment to savour.

Watching #swans land on tranquil inlet at #Brodick ~ #magic #Arran
— Green Brae Barn (@ArranHoliday) September 21, 2013

Jackie walks on. I feel the urge to 'Tweet', more as a marker for myself than of the need to share.

As I catch up I see them again. Determined to get an image, I run forward up the path and over to the left, ahead of the birds into the marshy grasses. I know the shot I want. Crouching as low as possible I wait. Their heads must be clear of the foreground but I know these random stalks are important to the final picture. Two shots on silent mode, The birds hardly notice and float by unconcerned. Happy photographer, happy swans.

GH.

October Half-Term, an Arran Adventure

19/9/2013

Arran Family Holiday

Arran Family Holiday October 1998

Arran for the First Time

Our first holiday on Arran was in October 1998. We had come ready, both physically and mentally, for whatever the weather might throw our way. We found wild contrasts. One minute there were rolling black clouds and heaving rain. It was all travelling so fast that in moments it would give way to crystal blue skies and a rich low sun. Not once did we have to settle for lengthy mid grey.

But the real magic lay in between: there were rainbows everywhere we looked. We counted thirty three in the course of the week, arcing across the sky and glittering in waterfalls. It was spectacular. Other vivid memories were the seals at Kildonan that made it look as if the rocks were moving; Geoff and Oliver with limpet rings for spectacles; Sam with head tossed back drinking the rain at King’s Cave.

It’s a great time of year, and quieter than August!

JH.