Wednesday 26 August 2015

Ailsa Craig Island (Part 9)

As we make our way around Ailsa Craig Island to the landing jetty, we saw Gannet, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Gulls, Shag. Also a good number of Puffin which apparently are increasing in numbers.







And who is this little chap?  Yesterday I told you I would show you something I had never hoped to see, well here he is.  Now I know this is a rubbish photograph but this little guy had just jumped down from hundreds of feet from the cliffs into the water. 


A baby Common Guillemot.

I switched my camera to video and you can hear him cherping, (once you see the Seal on the video) so that his father will find him.  
Now this was a very special moment for all of us to see. 


Two substantial foghorns with concrete housings were built in 1866, one at the north end of the island near the Swine Cave reached by the 'The Loups' path and the other at East Trammins on the south end, both were powered by compressed air that was piped from the lighthouse where a gas powered compressor was housed until 1911 when oil powered engines were installed.

One of the compressed air pipelines can still be seen within 'The Loups' path that was constructed above it. The compressed air cylinders that held the required 'store' of air are still prominent features, especially at the Trammins foghorn. Both foghorns were decommissioned in 1966 and a Tyfon fog signal was used until 1987 when improvements in ship navigation made it also redundant.








Ailsa Craig had two quite separate rail transport systems, one dated from 1886 and supplied coal, oil fuel and provisions to the lighthouse and gas works via the North Port and later the New Jetty and the other transported road stone from the quarries at Kennedy's Nags via the stone crusher to the Quarry Pier.





Ailsa Castle

The 12 metres (39 ft) high ruins of a 3-storey castle that stands on the eastern side of the island was built in the late 1500s by the Hamilton Family to protect the island from King Philip II of Spain. 

 The island was used as a prison during the 18th–19th century. The castle has two vaulted storeys and an oven is located in a cellar with evidence of a spiral stairway that once ran to the top of the tower. Three cinquefoils arranged in a 'V' shape are carved on the tower and indicate that the Hamiltons were linked with the structure. There are indications of an adjoining building that ran to the north.


The island, colloquially known as "Paddy's milestone", was a haven for Catholics during the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century, but is today a bird sanctuary.

The island has a fresh-water spring but no electricity, gas, sewage or telephone connections.


The only surviving buildings on the island are the lighthouse on its east coast facing the Scottish mainland, a ruined towerhouse, that was built by Clan Hamilton to protect the area from Philip II of Spain in the 16th century and the old quarry manager's house that is used by the RSPB.  

There will be more photos tomorrow when we land on the island to have lunch.





CLICK HERE if the video does not appear below. 



I hope you enjoyed this post and loved seeing the very young Common Guillemot safely landed in the water and then after cheeping, his father found him.  It was quite difficult  to find him through the viewfinder among all the hundreds of other birds.

Many thanks for visiting and also to those who leave comments.

25 comments:

  1. Such an amazing island. It really has a lot of history to it. I personally find it fascinating so glad so much of its past remains to explore. Thank you for sharing with us Margaret. Equally it seems the natural history is getting bigger and better especially with Puffin numbers know the up, they had a terrible time the last few winters, so good news for a change.

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  2. How lovely to see (and hear) the baby Common Guillemot. And how wonderful to hear that Puffin numbers are increasing.
    Thank you so much.

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  3. The island is beautiful. I loved seeing all the birds and the seals. Have a great day, Margaret!

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  4. Hello Margaret, awesome photos of the island and all the birds. The baby Guillemot sounds cute! Great photos and video. Have a happy day!

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  5. first of all it always amazes me where some people choose to settle, then impressed with all of their effort that went into building, the light house is quite unusual, the castles and other buildings, really amazing! You've shown us a lovely tour and hearing the baby Guillemot was special..

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  6. Hari OM
    am really enjoying this series, Margaret. For all that Ailsa Craig is nearby to me, had never thought that it could be visited! YAM xx

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  7. What a fabulous spot for capturing the birds and other animals on camera. Thanks for the history lessons too!

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  8. Great to hear that Puffin numbers are increasing, such lovely little birds.

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  9. That fog horn sure blends in to the environment. The landscape has a lonely feel. But it sure has birds.

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  10. Beautiful captures of the island.

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  11. I enjoyed seein the remains still on this island. It appears to be a super place for bird watching!

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  12. A very nicely documented and illustrated account of your trip round the island, and its history, Margaret. A most enjoyable read!

    Best wishes - - Richard

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  13. First of all, I just can't get over how fascinating this wonderful island is! Each new post has given us more information about its amazing history and features! I love it! Would love to go there someday! Also the little gannet was remarkable...loved the video, seeing him in the water with the adults, and seeing the seal too!

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  14. Hello Dear Margaret!!!!!!!!!!!
    In your blog, as usual beautifully.
    You are a champion in photographing birds.
    Photos beautiful.
    Kisses and greetings from Polish.
    Lucia

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  15. How amazing to see the young Common Guillemot. I'm beginning to recognize birds in your part of the world already! And what brilliant bird sounds in your video. I loved the seals too! Great post, Margaret, thanks for sharing. xx

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  16. What a great birding experience! Good news to learn the puffins are doing so well and that baby gullemonts first jump is fabulous.

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  17. Just lovely, Margaret. They are really quite the divers and swimmers, aren't they?

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  18. A photographer's paradise! Although it does look a tad chilly.... I like the first one and the railroad remnants.

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  19. I had to see on the map where this was! An Exciting Travel Destination!

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  20. These were great. Loving the different buildings like that Foghorn, The lighthouse, the old bridge and of course the many wonderful birds.

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  21. Loved the video, Margaret. What a noisy conference! And then that striking bird call. So fun to hear it. Thanks for sharing it. Lovely scenery!

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  22. One small hop for birdkind...one giant leap for very young Common Guillemot!
    ~

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  23. Interesting buildings especially the Foghorn and the Lighthouse. Great video. Love seeing the seals.

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  24. I really did enjoy seeing these...like being transported to another world.

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