Guess where I am.

[caledonia]

If you zoom in on it, its a fair size. I tried researching it last time we were here. Couldn't find anything.

Wow. Looks a nice property.

 

[barryd]

Wow. Looks a nice property.

It is. Would love to know its history. Years ago I was a bit reluctant to park here (although we are further away than the photos make it look) as I thought it was a bit off spoiling its view but as said, its empty. What a waste. Maybe they come in the winter which seems a bit daft.

 

[barryd]

After a bit more digging I have found this. Its bizarre. Its an ebid for a photograph of this property from the mid 80s which suggests it was a hotel. It makes sense as it looks more like a hotel than a living house. Can't find anything else.

Isle of Arran - Fairhaven Catacol, hotel - postcard 1985 on eBid United Kingdom | 122803750

Isle of Arran - Fairhaven Catacol, hotel - postcard 1985 Listing in the Ayrshire,Scotland,UK,Topographical,Postcards,Collectables Category on eBid United Kingdom | 122803750

www.ebid.net

 

[merl]

Says "Leopard"! Cos they are fast, cool as feck, nimble and a bit "Bitey". Just like me.

They've also got no mates and covered in spots BTW.

 

[runnach]

Barry, that jelly is a Lions Main jelly fish. They are huge and their tentacles can trail out ten metres from the body, they give a nasty sting.

 

[barryd]

Barry, that jelly is a Lions Main jelly fish. They are huge and their tentacles can trail out ten metres from the body, they give a nasty sting.

Michelle saw an even bigger one dead on Blackwaterfoot beach yesterday. She reckoned it was the size of a dustbin lid so maybe not the same type as this was more bucket shaped.

 

[runnach]

Michelle saw an even bigger one dead on Blackwaterfoot beach yesterday. She reckoned it was the size of a dustbin lid so maybe not the same type as this was more bucket shaped.

My first encounter with them was in the Clyde while diving the SS Wallachia of Toward Point. While decompressing of the shot line, their tentacles got caught on the line, knife out to remove them, the only bare part of skin is around the mask area, I got stung big time.

The lad retrieving the shot line back into the boat, he got stung too from the cut cut off remnants of stinging tentacles, majestic to view while underwater though.

 

[barryd]

Still no Dolphins though. Today might be a better day to spot them as right now there is hardly any breeze and the sun is out. We were spoilt on our last two long trips here in 21 and 22. They were everywhere and sometimes in huge numbers but it was mid summer. Ill never forget the warm summer evening on the west coast, us and another couple in a van sat watching the sunset and it was totally still and silent. We heard the blowholes long before we saw them coming up from Kintyre. It was bizarre. about half an hour past before they appeared in front of us the sound travelled so far. Then there was the massive pod that that thrashed across Brodick bay. Over 100 I think. That made the news.

The funniest one was being sat outside the Coop on the bike in Lamlash waiting for Michelle, the tide was in and three or four of them appeared right near the green and just started larking about.

 

[runnach]

Feast your eyes in this one Barry. In my years of diving both sides of the Firth of Forth, I have never heard, or viewed a Basking Shark in these waters, this lucky man captured this Basking Shark of Longniddry East Lothian. Amazing footage.

Google Search

 

[barryd]

Feast your eyes in this one Barry. In my years of diving both sides of the Firth of Forth, I have never heard, or viewed a Basking Shark in these waters, this lucky man captured this Basking Shark of Longniddry East Lothian. Amazing footage.

Google Search

Seen loads including out on the Kayak, right by the van at Lochranza and various places. I might have some videos somewhere but they are a bit naff.

The best one was off Corrie on Arran three years ago. Two paddle boarders on a single board about 100 yards out and the shark was huge. It came literally right up to them to investigate. Quite an experience as it was massive this one.

 

[barryd]

Bollards!!!

 

[caledonia]

Barry, that jelly is a Lions Main jelly fish. They are huge and their tentacles can trail out ten metres from the body, they give a nasty sting.

Nearly killed my dog getting stung with one. Luckily the vet was in the village and saved her life or her throat would have swollen and suffocate her.

 

[barryd]

Thought I saw a couple of fins a long way off out in the Kayak an hour ago but then they disappeared and never appeared again. I don't think that counts. Another big jelly fish dead floating about but thats about it today. The water is gin clear though. Even at 20+ feet deep you can see really clearly to the bottom. Apparently its going to rain a bit tomorrow and then wall to wall sunshine again.

 

[barryd]

A bit of history this afternoon. Lochranza at the very north of the island is quite possibly my favourite place on Arran. We are parked just down the road from there. In the 34 years we have been coming here though we have never been able to explore the castle. Today it was open. I think years ago it was open by appointment and then it was shut for years for some reason. I think it was deemed unsafe. All I can say is it would make a great place to make a late night Rock Goth Rock Video.

Bit of history here. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lochranza_Castle

So after that we just chilled out sunbathing next to it for the rest of the afternoon. Twenty years ago we spent Christmas and New Year here and actually had a White Christmas which must be very rare here.

Few pics. To be fair one of them I nicked. Just thought it was great.

 

[runnach]

I assume the deer got fed up waiting for the ferry and decided to swim to the island

Great pics

 

[Jo001]

That photo with the deer is amazing. Hopefully the Countryfile Calendar will have a category you can enter it in. That is competition winning quality.

 

[merl]

That photo with the deer is amazing. Hopefully the Countryfile Calendar will have a category you can enter it in. That is competition winning quality.

Hmmm, something tells me THAT'S the one he nicked?

 

[Jo001]

Hmmm, something tells me THAT'S the one he nicked?

Doh!

 

[trevskoda]

Wonder why they put the toilet above the door, anyone going out for a walk, no no no.

 

[barryd]

Yes the Deer is the one I nicked. We have photo similar on our stairs at home called "Stag party".