Date: Sunday 5th June 2016
Company: Myself and John
Ailsa Craig is an uninhabited island located approximately 10 miles from mainland Scotland in the outer Firth of Clyde. It is formed from the volcanic plug of an extinct volcano. The microgranite of Ailsa Craig is relatively rare with arfvedsonite and acmite. If you are interested in the geology of Ailsa Craig further information can be found here.
In the 1870s, fifty pairs of curling stones were exported annually. By 1890, this number had risen to 1,000 pairs per annum. Two types of granite are normally used for Ailsa Craig curling stones, Blue Hone and Common Green.
Anyway enough of providing some background information. A couple of months ago I put my name forward for a space on the boat to Ailsa Craig. Boats were to be chartered for trips to Ailsa Craig and Great Cumbrie as part of the annual Marilyn-bagging get together. While I would not be attending the dinner, not my kind of thing, I was keen to get to Ailsa Craig. Thanks to Rick for organising the boats.
On Sunday morning, I left my base in Stranraer to drive 30 miles back up the coast to Girvan. On arriving in Girvan, I met up with my friend John and ten others keen to visit Ailsa Craig. As we had a full compliment of passengers for the boat, the cost was a mere £25 for the return trip. A bargain!
Once aboard the Glorious, we set sail for Ailsa Craig. The crossing was rougher than expected. The small boat swayed from side to side as we undertook the ten mile crossing with splashes from the swell occasionally coming in over the side.
The Glorious:
Marilyn baggers aboard the Glorious:
It was difficult to take photos with a horizontal horizon whilst aboard the boat due to the swell.
Ailsa Craig getting closer:
Approaching Ailsa Craig:
John on the pier:
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
From the pier, John and I walked past the derelict gas works where the nearby tramway was used to transport coal to the North Port until 1911 when the lighthouse was converted to run on electricity.
Derelict gas works:
Beyond the gas works, we walked behind the small cottage to find the start of the path heading up Ailsa Craig. As far as I am aware this is the only walking route up Ailsa Craig.
Cottage used by RSPB:
The path is narrow, somewhat overgrown with bracken and heather, and quite exposed. If you don't have a bit of a head for heights, you might not like ascending/descending Ailsa Craig.
Gasworks, cottage used by RSPB and lighthouse during initial ascent:
We took care during the initial ascent as the consequences of a slip would not be good.
Looking back to the lighthouse during initial steep descent:
On switching back towards Ailsa Castle the gradient is less steep and safer as far as the castle.
Approaching the ruined castle:
The castle was built in the 1500s by the Clan Hamilton.
Ailsa Castle:
The section of ascent beyond the castle is the steepest and most overgrown.
Sheer terror at steep ascent
:
Beyond the steep ascent there is a level section of path through bracken. If you don't like walking through long bracken it is probably best to head to Ailsa Craig in April or May. I reckoned the risk of ticks was low as there are no sheep or deer on the island.
Path through the bracken:
Beyond the horizontal section there is another short steepish section. Beyond it is straight-forward to the summit.
Path heading steeply upwards:
Small outcrops above:
Onto easier terrain:
The fragrance was lovely as we walked through Sea Campion, Bluebells and Cuckoo flowers.
Path heading up through Sea Campion and Bluebells:
Two people ahead on the overgrown path:
On the easier section, we passed countless gulls and a rock pipit. We also saw the remains of a gull and two rabbits which I suspect were killed by a raptor.
Rock Pipit:
Path through lots of wild flowers:
Final ascent to the summit:
On reaching the trig point, we spent around thirty minutes up there looking around and taking photos.
Trig point located fifteen metres from the summit rock:
Foreland Point just visible from the trig point:
Myself at the trig point:
Unfortunately, views were lacking due to haze. We could just make out Arran and Holy Isle both of which we visited in May 2015. We could not however see Ireland where Ailsa Craig is affectionately known as Paddy's Milestone.
Hazy looking north:
Liz and Peter ascending to the summit:
Our boat party at the summit:
Great black-backed gull below the summit:
Once our party had all visited the summit we made our way back down the hill.
The lighthouse and castle from above during the descent:
On reaching the castle I had a look inside.
Castle entrance:
Looking out to Ailsa Craig from inside Ailsa Castle:
We then descended to the shore and had a look around the lighthouse.
Old tramway:
Ailsa Craig lighthouse:
Ailsa Craig lighthouse:
Ailsa Craig lighthouse plaque:
Evidence of curling stone production:
I then sat on the pier, bird and boat watching for twenty minutes. The best of Ailsa Craig was however yet to come.
If visiting Ailsa Craig you must sail round the rear of the island. The cliffs on the farside of the island are impressive. I have previously visited the cliffs on Foula in Shetland and have also visited St. Kilda. The cliffs at the rear of Ailsa Craig are every bit as good!
Aboard the Glorious for a circuit of the island:
Foghorn:
Heading round towards the west of the island:
During our sail round the island, I spotted countless gannet, guillemot, cormorant, shag and puffin.
Common Guillemot:
The gannetry on Ailsa Craig is apparently home to 36,000 pairs of gannets.
Large gannetry:
Impressive cliffs:
Cliffs (source of curling stone granite):
As I couldn't fit the whole of Ailsa Craig into a single photo, I took a few photos which I joined up at home using Autostitch.
Ailsa Craig panorama:
Low-flying shag:
Looking back to the granite cliffs:
The smiles on everyone's faces said it all. Only the sea stacks at St Kilda top this.
Another foghorn:
Heading back round towards Ailsa Castle:
Ailsa Craig lighthouse:
One of numerous gannets:
On returning to the pier, our captain agreed to tow a broken-down RIB back from Ailsa Craig to Girvan. This meant we had five extra passengers on board and two dogs, so it was cozy. The drag of towing the RIB meant the return journey took one hour longer than expected but no-one was caring.
Towing a broken-down RIB from Ailsa Craig back to Girvan:
If you get the opportunity to visit Ailsa Craig, take it.
