North Britain Palaeogene Dyke Suite (Arran Tertiary Dyke Swarm) (66 - 23.03 mya) cutting through Auchenhew Mudstone Formation (252.2 - 237 mya). On the horizon, Ailsa Craig - an igneous pluton also dating from the Palaeogene period.
The seafront at Brodick on the Isle of Arran, seen from the Ardrossan ferry. Arran is often described as a "Scotland in miniature" and though it's not the largest village, Brodick is the main focus for visitors to the island. More pics and info: https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/arran/brodick/index.html
More than meets the eye? The very enigmatic Kilpatrick Dun, on high ground south of Blackwaterfoot near the Isle of Arran's west coast. What you see are the remains of a fortified farmstead that was built here some 1,800 years ago. More pics and info: https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/arran/kilpatrickdun/index.html
Feeling pumped after a good 20km today. Plan A was to head over the saddle from Sannox but I had a sensible word with myself this morning about the forecast, and came up with a better plan- with a bus to Corrie and a tootle through the woods into Glen Rosa and then via Brodick and some more woods to home. It was lovely weather for waterfalls with heavy showers, hail and a strong headwind at times. My legs are gubbed, and I'm ravenous!
Hamish (RIP) however was never shy for a challenge. He always kept up with the Collies until he couldn’t - and then he went into the Rucksack, Arran 2018
The iconic shape of Cir Mhor dominates Glen Rosa. It's Arran's own mini matterhorn and a big draw for visiting rock climbers and hill walkers. We had great weather for todays Arran Mountain Rescue Team exercise today, exploring and familiarising ourselves with the more complex nooks and crannies of the mountain. 🏔
A geological mash-up on the coast of Arran.
A glacial erratic, possibly Arran Northern Granite from the Goatfell range to the north; intrusive dykes from the Palaeogene period could have their origins on Mull; and the Auchenhew Mudstone Formation from the Triassic period. On the horizon, Pladda is an outlier of the South Arran Sills (Palaeogene) resting on Auchenhew Mudstone.
Peel Ports shut the Irish berth for good. This is on top of:
6 years delay in investment in Ardrossan Harbour upgrade.
Plus over at Calmac/CMAL: new ferries over budget and delayed (latest delays announced this week), Caledonian Isles unusable due to rusted hull, and stupid new pier at Brodick that is unusable in an easterly...
People like to kick this around as a political football but all too often forget that real people are suffering.
Auchencar 'Druid' Standing Stone, red sandstone 5m high and thin. There is another that has fallen as shown in picture 4, I am unsure of there was originally just the two, or more in a circle. A few miles up the coast of Arran from the Machrie Moor circles. This stone felt special, good vibes! Photo 2022, posted before on my old server. #StandingStoneSunday#PreHistory#Arran#Scotland
Home sweet home! Sunshine and a dusting of snow on Goatfell today. It was winking at me from the ferry as I arrived back this morning, so after a quick cup of tea, I headed back out the door with Wally. Bit of a contrast to the steamy humidity of Tanzania. In fact, it was flipping baltic on the top. Microspikes/crampons were useful today, especially on the middle mountain where the path is caked in hard water ice.
Fun little tootle about in my running shoes today. Took the bus to Whiting Bay and then ran back over the hill via the Giant's Graves and Meallach's Grave, both sites of Neolithic chambered cairns over 5,000 years old.
This outing also involved cake.😃 #Arran #BusAndRun #TheGreenRunners #HowWeMove #StandingStones
Machrie Moor 5 stone circle, also called Fingal's Cauldron Seat, two concentric rings of granite boulders, the outer circle is 18mts in diameter. Isle of Arran, Scotland. #StandingStoneSunday#PreHistory#Arran#Scotland
Machrie Moor 4 stone circle on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, four granite blocks about 0.9 meters high. Excavations in 1861 uncovered a cist in the centre, accompanied by a food vessel, a bronze awl, and three flint flakes. Photos August 2022. #StandingStoneSunday#Arran#PreHistory#Scotland
This probably isn't of any significance to non Arranachs, but it's causing quite a bit of excitement here- the sea is eating the road at Whiting Bay, and with the Ross Road closed, getting to the South of the island is a bit of a mission. Also, "Dave the rave roving the rock" is a local institution, that probably doesn't travel so well either, but we love him...
I have spent the entire day trying to get on a boat off the island. Still in a queue, still crossing fingers and toes. It's a peculiarly stressful feeling.
I'm on the last of the last boats off the island. Thank you to the heroes on the Lochranza ferry for doing an unscheduled sailing. ❤️ #Arran #StormBabet