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

'All Weather' Beach Walk at Blackwaterfoot

30/1/2015

Blackwaterfoot beach, Arran, Scotland

Having been off Arran for a week working, our first morning back has to start with a walk on the beach at Blackwaterfoot. The sun was barely up over hills, and the clear sky tempted us briefly.

A cauldron of winter ingredients were urgently gathered, put in order and emptied in dramatic form as we headed to 'The Doon'. Icy rain, hail, some snow. Sheltering amongst our favourite rocks, we watched as the sky's dark foreboding curtain danced across the sea from Kintyre.

Moments later, calm. As is often the case here, the anger passes, the sun restores itself and blue magically completes the scene.

A Wealth of Fungi on Arran

15/11/2014

fungi arran

Is this just a bumper year for Fungi or have I just been noticing them more often?

Apparently, having just 'Googled' the word, there are over 100,000 varieties, so the ones I've found here on the island are clearly the tip of the iceberg! One of the most prolific, and are a joy to behold, are these little red creations and they can be found while enjoying the walk around the King's Caves at Machrie.

Heading north out of Blackwaterfoot are these fabulous golden brown clumps growing in the grass verge by the roadside.

fungi arran

fungi arran

fungi arran

fungi arran

fungi arran

fungi arran

fungi arran

What is a Fungus?

A fungus is any member of a large group of organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds (British English: moulds), as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, protists, and bacteria. One major difference is that fungal cells have cell walls that contain chitin, unlike the cell walls of plants and some protists, which contain cellulose, and unlike the cell walls of bacteria. These and other differences show that the fungi form a single group of related organisms, named the Eumycota (true fungi or Eumycetes), that share a common ancestor (is a monophyletic group). Genetic studies have shown that fungi are more closely related to animals than to plants.

Thank you Wikipedia!

Look down as well as up!

So as you are walking around our wonderful Isle of Arran take the opportunity to look down as well as ahead of you.

Don't pick them - and probably don't even touch them!

fungi arran

red fungi

King's Caves Photography with Aerial Drone

1/9/2014

King's Caves with aerial camera

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!

Quadcopter in flight

The Quadcopter with HD camera

Rock Pile Story on Arran

26/8/2014

balanced stones, arran, scotland

The Stone Story by Chuck Keys

I was staring at a stone today, it didn't move, it just sat, resting, relaxed in the warm mid-day sun. The wind moved around it and it's lazy motionless nearby friends, effortlessly.

They all looked alike, maybe they were all family on vacation without a worry on their minds if they had minds.

They didn't or couldn't smile or frown, no beards or mustaches were visible, clean shaven. They didn't look hungry or thirsty. Of course how does a hungry or thirsty stone look? I could have brought them water or food.

After much further intense thought, I realized they don't have to worry about clothes or lack of ... Do they need clothes? Do they need anything? Nothing. Nothing, is what they need.

I am envious.

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

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

Pot of Gold waiting for you

29/10/2013

Rainbows of Arran

Double rainbow over Blackwaterfoot beach, Arran, Scotland

Arran: Land of Rainbows

Maybe not the yellow shiny clinkety, clinkety stuff, but Arran can enrich the soul and deliver countless wealth in visual spectacle, day after day, all year round.

One of our first memories of Arran, from a visit in the autumn of 1998, is of jaw dropping panoramic rainbows which seemed to be everywhere and anywhere you turned. The late season's weather rarely remains constant, certainly in our corner of the island, and dramatic sky and seascapes are sure to be a part of your stay here on Arran.

Rainbow, Brodick on Arran Scotland

Panoramic rainbow on horizon - Brodick, Isle of Arran, Scotland

Only this morning I read that 'Lonely Planet' stated Scotland is in the top three countries to visit and with natural attractions such as these it is little wonder.

So come on. Grab a rucksack full of appropriate clothing, leave behind any ideas that the kids wont enjoy themselves without an X-Box and let them discover their own treasure just along our beach.

GH.

We already knew!> Lonely Planet says Scotland is third best country to visit http://t.co/FtgyqSSJMi #Arran
— Green Brae Barn (@ArranHoliday) October 29, 2013

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.

A Seal, Lochranza Castle & Wordsworth

20/10/2013

A Slumber did my Spirit Seal

A slumber did my spirit seal;
         I had no human fears:
She seemed a thing that could not feel
         The touch of earthly years.

No motion has she now, no force;
         She neither hears nor sees;
Rolled round in earth's diurnal course,
         With rocks, and stones, and trees.

BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

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.