I like – Happy to be a part of the industry of human happiness.

Posted on January 19, 2022January 19, 2022 by admin

King of Piel

Piel Island – a tiny island in Cumbria off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness – is looking for a new ruler. For reasons that have become slightly hazy, the licensee of the Ship Inn, Piel’s only pub, is crowned the King or Queen of Piel.

The ‘coronation’ ceremony involves sitting on a throne and having beer poured over their head.

Piel is a tidal island, and can be reached by ferry from Roa (at times).

At low tide, it’s possible to walk across the sands (careful now).

For a small island, it punches above its weight with one substantial ruined castle, one thriving pub and one row of very solid-looking houses.

When we visited, there was a great display in the Ship Inn, full of historical artefacts.

If you like to get away from it all, it might be worth a shot.

Posted on January 9, 2022January 9, 2022 by admin

A trip to Yoker

Happy new year!

I took advantage of the sunny weather to go somewhere I haven’t been before – a trip on the Renfrew-Yoker Ferry. This is the only regular ferry that I know of still running in Glasgow, since the Govan Ferry has been off for the last couple of years.

This crossing has been in operation over a hundred years, in one form or another. The old Renfrew Ferry is now an entertainment venue in Glasgow city centre. The current ferry is for foot passengers and cycles only, and runs on demand between Renfrew and Yoker. The ferry is operated by ClydeLink – check for updates on Twitter @RenfrewFerry.

The ferryman said they have lost 90% of their business over the festive season and have had to implement the first price rise in 10 years. A single journey now costs £2.50 (was £2) – cash only.

The crossing only takes a few minutes. Not the most scenic, it has to be said, but there is a great moment in the middle where you can look right up and down the Clyde. For a city that’s so connected to its river, it’s actually quite hard to get on it (unless you join a rowing club).

Any trip to Yoker is accompanied by the spirit of Limmy’s DeeDee, who now has a cafe named after him on Dumbarton Road.

Posted on December 5, 2021December 5, 2021 by admin

St Patrick’s, Kilsyth

This is St Patrick’s church in Kilsyth.

St Patrick's Church, Kilsyth - Stations of the Cross

It was built around the same time as St Bride’s in East Kilbride, another huge brick box designed by GKC. St Patrick’s is not quite as ornate as St Bride’s (although it’s strange to describe either building as ornate) but it is still striking.

St Patrick's Church, Kilsyth - view to back of church

The use of windows and roof lights to let in the light in interesting ways is one of its best features.

St Patrick's Church, Kilsyth - front door

There is a very good paper on the history of St Patrick’s and development of other Gillespie, Kidd and Coia buildings on the St Patrick’s website (PDF).

The church and GKC buildings are feted in the architectural world. The paper (PDF) balances this with tales of leaky roofs and drafts that would knock old ladies off their feet.

Thankfully St Patrick’s has been carefully looked after and is a remarkable church to visit.

Posted on November 20, 2021November 20, 2021 by admin

A trip to Rothesay

Thought I would squeeze in another island while the weather is still decent. Off to Rothesay we go.

Rothesay is the main town on the Isle of Bute. It is easy to get there from Glasgow by train and as a bonus, you get to go through Wemyss* Bay Station, one of the most beautiful railway stations in the UK.

(*pronounced Weems)

Get off the train and go down the adjoining walkway to get the ferry (operated by CalMac). The scenic crossing through the First of Clyde takes around 35 minutes.

Bute is one of the easiest islands to visit, because it’s so accessible. Get off the ferry and you’re right in the centre of Rothesay. The Esplanade has a lovely vintage seaside feel.

There are all kinds of shops and odd things to look at. Sadly, Zavaroni’s, home of the Top Hat (an ice cream cone with a Tunnock’s snowball squashed into it), and the Victorian toilets were both closed.

This little gem was still open – I was taking a picture of the shopfront, thinking it had long closed, when the owner came back from lunch and gave me a wee look inside. He said he’ll be closing up at the end of the year.

How can you compete with young guns like Wesley Snips?

After that it was time to head home again, with a beautiful view of all the Victorian villas along the shore and a plan to see more of Bute on my next visit.

Posted on November 4, 2021November 4, 2021 by admin

New book: Chips and Ice Cream

Here’s a new photobook called Chips and Ice Cream. It’s a collection of 60 photos of classic cafes and chippies – a follow-up to Beside the Seaside.

Chips and Ice Cream - Ritz spread — The Ritz, Millport

These photos have been taken over the past 17 years, in cafes around the UK.

Chips and Ice Cream - Brucciani's spread — Brucciani’s, Morecambe

Some are legendary and have become tourist attractions in their own right.

Others are quiet – out of the way and beautifully peaceful.

Many of them have closed now. Two Glasgow cafes that have been open forever closed while I was editing the book, which makes the ones remaining feel even more precious. Support your local caff!

Copies cost £8 from the shop. Price includes UK postage.

Posted on October 31, 2021 by admin

Bonus island: Luing

While we’re on the subject of islands, here’s Luing, from a visit in 2017.

Luing is one of the Slate Islands, in the same group as Easdale.

There is a small car ferry that runs from North Cuan on the mainland to South Cuan on Luing.

It is quite an unusual shape. The crossing takes about 5 minutes.

The island itself is great for walking. We walked from the ferry landing to Cullipool, the main settlement, and visited the Atlantic Islands Heritage Centre.

It was very picturesque and unspoilt – an easy way to get away from it all.

Posted on October 30, 2021October 30, 2021 by admin

What I did on my holidays: Part three – Lismore

Following on from What I did on my summer holidays: Part two – Kerrera

Island 3: Lismore

A white shed with a red corrugated iron roof on Lismore

Lismore is an island in the Inner Hebrides, reachable from Oban.

It is 10 miles long (but fairly thin) and takes some time to explore.

There are beautiful views everywhere.

Whitewashed houses at Port Ramsay, Lismore

And a lot of history. The Lismore Gaelic Heritage Centre tells the story of the island.

The Oban Achnacroish ferry passing the old pier on Lismore

Two ferries run to Lismore. The larger car ferry operated by Caledonian MacBrayne runs from Oban to Achnacroish in the centre of the island. The journey takes around 1 hour. Booking is recommended.

At the north end of the island, a smaller passenger ferry runs between Point on Lismore, and Port Appin on the mainland. The crossing takes around 10 minutes.

We visited on a hot, clear day and it was spectacular. I look forward to visiting again for a better look.

Posted on October 23, 2021October 30, 2021 by admin

What I did on my summer holidays: Part two – Kerrera

Following on from What I did on my summer holidays: Part one – Easdale

Island 2: Kerrera

Kerrera is a small island near Oban. Cars are allowed for residents only.

The Kerrera ferry runs from Gallanach, 2 miles from Oban – follow the road round from the main ferry terminal until you get to the slipway.

The MV Carvoria is the smallest ferry in Calmac’s fleet. The crossing takes around 5 minutes, carries 12 passengers, and does not usually need to be booked.

There isn’t a lot to do on Kerrera apart from walk, but the walks are scenic, and full of wildlife. I was accompanied by a while-tailed sea eagle flying along the shore.

The Kerrera Tea Garden and Bunkhouse is a good landmark to aim for (open seasonally), and there is a well-stocked farm shop up the hill from the ferry landing.

Next: What I did on my holidays: Part three – Lismore

Posted on October 19, 2021October 23, 2021 by admin

What I did on my summer holidays: Part one – Easdale

They were a while ago now, but what I did on my summer holidays was go to Oban (a town on the west coast of Scotland) with the goal of getting to as many Scottish islands as possible. Getting to, and staying on the islands has been pretty challenging this year – getting to the big islands was pretty much out of the question, but there are lots of small ones that are easily reachable from Oban or nearby.

Number 1: Easdale Island

Easdale is one of my favourite places on Earth. Home to the World Stone Skimming Championships, it is relatively easy to get to, and can be walked round in a day, or an afternoon depending on how much you want to see.