More exploring by car today to recover from yesterdays walk, around the south of the island, all this travelling around the place it has to be said it is 56 miles in circumference so everywhere is close to everywhere else. We ended back at the "big smoke", the main town Brodick, here we looked at the wee small gift shops and then went to the Arran Folk Museum. Here we learnt some of the history of Arran, it's important role in WWII and farming on the island including the evil clearances in the 18th century by the Duke of Hamilton.
The highlight of the day was a trip on the Paddle Steamer Waverley
PS Waverley is the last seagoing passenger-carrying paddle steamer in the world. Built in 1946, she sailed from Craigendoran on the Firth of Clyde to Arrochar on Loch Long until 1973. Bought by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS), she has been restored to her 1947 appearance and now operates passenger excursions around the British coast. Wikipedia
The voyage was advertise as cruise the Arran Coast, we did for about 45 minutes one way from Lochranza Harbour and 45 minutes back again, not quite what we envisaged but the sun was shining and it was very pleasant. It is a lovely vessel reminding us of the TSS Earnslaw which is a 1912 Edwardian vintage twin screw steamer plying the waters of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand.
After the trip we drove back to the lodge at Blackwaterfoot detouring to the beach to see more wildlife. They say that while on Arran you should try to see the five most important fauna, a red squirrel, an otter, golden eagle, a seal and red deer. The squirrel was easy as you saw before but no sighting of the others until Penny spotted a seal off the beach who then proceeded to come partially ashore and perform for the camera, the seal that is not Penny. Just a little further along was literally a shag on a rock which also made a nice shot.
We all spent the evening at the Black Grouse restaurant in our local village, this place has a great reputation for showcasing the produce of Arran and it did not disappoint. Although not strictly a local produce it was agreed that the chips were some of the best ever tasted. A good night out in great company and a bracing walk home.
Arran Folk Museum, Brodick
Ferguson tractor , made in Coventry
mangle
farm implements
PS Waverley
finished with engines
shag on a rock
fauna number two Common Seal
at the Black Grouse