Dec 31st The last one Barassie gloomy day

Today is the last day of the year and it is the final entry for this blog. The blog began with a weather snap looking out to sea from Barassie with Arran in the background. It only seemed appropriate that the final one should be a similar shot. After all the good weather this afternoon has been a wet, blustery afternoon with some bursts of light. Good bye 2016 and a Happy New Year to all for 2017.

Grey gloomy view from Barassie

Dec 4th Arrans winter coat

Thankfully we have not had any snow down at our level but as you can see Arran has had a covering, probably down to about 1500 feet. Mild weather due so it will not last long but who knows what the rest of winter brings.

Arran winter coat

Oct 17th Irvine Bay

This morning I walked all the way along the beach to Irvine where this lovely picture at the estuary shows a crisp blue sky Autumn day. Lowtide snap and Arran standing out in the background.

Irvine Bay

Jun 23rd Goatfell

Today I got the ferry to Arran and climbed Goatfell. Walked almost 13 miles and climbed almost 3000 feet. The views were outstanding and worth the effort. Certainly a day to remember.  A full report will appear in my Desmondo's ramblings blog shortly.

Goatfell Trig

May 27th Arran has disappeared, sun NOT rain

Out for our walk along the beach today and Arran has disappeared. For once this year it is the sun haze that is the culprit and not the rain.

May 20th Stone Art

My good lady enjoys painting and likes to collect flotsam from the shore to act as inspiration as well as use as the painting medium. This Tibetan stone painting on a rock from the Holy Isle might be something to aspire to.

Holy Isle

May 17th Floral path to Glen Dubh

On Arran I was walking into Glen Dubh. The track begins near the Auchrannie Spa resort but quickly you are walking along a beautiful wood path with the flowers blooming either side of you. Even better I soon spotted a golden eagle up the glen, yahoo. 

Floral track to Glen Dubh

May 16th Viking graffiti Holy Isle

On the Holy Isle just off Arran there is a cave where St Molaise lived for 20 years, a spartan life indeed. However, within the cave there are scratchings into the rockface, some of which are attributed to the Viking invaders as well as a more modern Celtic Cross. Fascinating to be able to stand at a spot in time where these people also stood. It may be the Norse were pilgrims not warriors.

Norse scratchings Holy Isle

Apr 28th Arran it is almost May

It was one of those days where you either stay in or get on the waterproofs and venture out, I chose the latter. When the hailstones hit it really stung my face but on occasion the sun came out and it was ok. During one of these breaks I snapped Arran looking more like a December shot than almost May. For years now the weather here has been inconsistent but over the last 18 months it appears to have more bad than good days.

Arran almost May?

Apr 27th Glad to be back...err no.

The weather might not have been typical in Tenerife but it was a lot better than back in Troon today. Walking to the town I realised that I was about to be engulfed in this weather system blowing down from the north hiding Arran from view. True enough hailstones started stinging my face and bouncing all around. It is almost May!! Great to be back, I don't think so.

April snow storm sweeps in

Apr 8th Green fields of Ayrshire

My circular outing today took me over Corraith and here I was going towards Troon. At the top I was rewarded with this fine view over the green fields with Troon and Barassie in shot and Arran in the distance. Blue skies but a chilly south westerly wind.

Green fields of Ayrshire

Apr 3rd Sunset over Arran a variation

I was playing around with my old Photoshop programme on the computer. I really do not use it very often as frankly don't know how so maybe an evening class in the offing if such a thing exists. I managed to create this image in a short time so no doubt the potential is huge, just need to know how.

Sunset over Arran

Mar 29th A nice night for a walk

It had been a good spring day, bright with occasional showers. After too large a dinner we went out for a walk to get rid of some of it. As we got to the beach the sun was going behind clouds over Arran, looked like it was raining as well, but a lovely sight.

Sun setting behind clouds Arran