First ferry trip of the year on the only operating Arran ferry (for now).
Choppiest crossing I’ve ever experienced but it was full of rainbows.
Quite, er, lively on the top deck. My face was salty and my hair was solid by the time we got to Brodick.
So many bright colours. Wouldn’t change it for the world!
Holy Isle is a small island in the Firth of Clyde, off the Isle of Arran – not to be confused with Holy Island in Northumberland. I have looked at it so many times from Lamlash and was determined to get there, even though it’s an epic journey by public transport of two trains, two ferries and a bus each way from Glasgow. In the end, it took almost a year for weather and tide times to align and I just caught the last sailing of the year.
The ferry is a small boat operated by Lamlash Cruises. Check their site for sailing times, these vary according to tides and other factors. The journey from Lamlash takes around 15 minutes and the view of Arran from the boat is worth the trip alone. Grant, the skipper, is very knowledgeable and gives visitors a good introduction to the island on arrival.
The whole island is owned by the same Buddhist community as Samye Ling. The main building is a monastery which is open for retreats but closed to day visitors, apart from the garden. There are only really two paths to take – a walk to the other end of the island either easily along the shore, or more strenuously over the top. It’s about 2 miles end-to-end and there’s a lot to take in along the way.
Getting around is simple as there are no roads and barely any people. There are some Christian sites like the cave of St Molaise, sitting alongside brightly painted rocks featuring Buddhist deities, and populations of wild Eriskay ponies, Saanen goats and Soay sheep. It took me around 3 hours to amble to the lighthouse and back. It’s not far but there’s a lot to look at.
There are also two lighthouses on the island. The Inner lighthouse is on a private part of the island, and the Outer or Pillar Rock Lighthouse is at the end of the public path where you can sit and enjoy a good view of the Firth of Clyde.
How to get to Holy Isle on public transport
This is Eas Mor Library on the isle of Arran. It’s a little log cabin in a forest beside a waterfall.
The library is filled with books and messages left by visitors over the years.
There are drawings, messages and all kinds of wisdom, from inspirational quotes to ‘We saw a jellyfish’.
It was created by Eas Mor Ecology who are working hard to enhance the beautiful area around the Eas Mor waterfall.
It’s a steep (but fairly short) hike to the top on well-kept paths. There’s a circular route, which is also a steep hike down in places, depending on which route you take.
Eas Mor is 1-2 miles from Kildonan in the south of Arran. There is a car park and a bus stop near the entrance just off the A841. A cafe is planned for the summer.
I found this idyllic harbour last week in Corrie on the Isle of Arran.
Corrie lies on the north-east side of the island. It has two harbours – this one is known as Sandstone Quay because of the sandstone that was quarried locally and shipped from here.
The sheep came from the Glasgow Garden Festival, and are a fun presence. There is also a lot going on rock-wise, if you like that kind of thing (I do).
The shoreline is full of plants, lichens, birds and sealife. The textures and colours are amazing.
The colour of the sand is warm and inviting. It reminded me of butterscotch Angel Delight.
Some photos from the Isle of Arran. An island off the west coast of Scotland, full of wildlife and beautiful coastal views. And some interesting buildings and hand-painted signs.
‘The Tin Church’ at Pirnmill. Note the small but perfectly-formed bell tower.
The Boathouse at Dougarie Estate.
Lamlash.
I❤️EK
£10.00
8 mixed postcards - set 2
£6.00
8 mixed postcards - set 3
£6.00
Sign Here
£10.00
A Parade of Shops
£10.00
