Two random images from the Isles of Scilly. The image above was taken out at the Western Rocks, which is the very first bit of Britain reached from America. A sizeable swell was rolling in from the Atlantic, but we were shielded from its full force by the 4km string of rocks and reefs. The photo below shows [...]
Archive for the ‘Islands’ Category
Scilly times 1 comment
Shipwrecked on Muckle Green Holm Leave a comment
Heather and I had been stuck on the island of Rousay for three nights straight, waiting for the wind to drop. We were getting frustrated with our wait to head up into the North Isles of Orkney. One evening we returned to the tent and found that the wind had dropped… Within an hour we’d packed [...]
Dangling around Leave a comment
SAR helicopter training at the Needles, Isle of Wight. He was dangled right down between the Needles to water level and then winched up again. Rather him than me; funny, what some folk will do as a day job…
Enys Dodnan Leave a comment
This extraordinary granite arch is found on the islet of Enys Dodnan, located off Land’s End in Cornwall. It is a highlight of one of the best coastal trips in Britain. The murky final image was taken on a rainy misty day last February, but is included here to show the whole isle. The jagged stack [...]
This is England Leave a comment
No, really.
Lighthouses of the Isle of Wight 1 comment
There are only two on the Island; the Needles (above) and St Catherine’s Point (below). Both are spectacular to paddle past, in exposed locations and overlooking significant tide races.
Larger than life 1 comment
Puffins, gotta love them. These guys on Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire practically came and stared down my lens…
Gannets of Bass Rock 1 comment
One of my favourite images ever. Approaching 150,000 gannets on Bass Rock, in the Firth of Forth. We had been able to smell them from several miles back…
Western Isles natural arch 2 comments
Like the title says.
Kilchoman Leave a comment
A friend from oop north was visiting today, so she and I had a pleasant paddle out to Old Harry Rocks, to play in the tide race. We chose this spot as it was relatively sheltered from the strong winds forecast. We then got out the bikes and rode up onto Swyre Head and the [...]
Sark Lighthouse Leave a comment
Passing Sark’s lighthouse early one morning; if I remember rightly, we were due to be at the northern tip of this Channel Island at 0746 am exactly, to begin an open crossing.
Nothing to see here 1 comment
We were out on the Atlantic coast of Lewis on this particular evening, specifically to look for basking sharks. We didn’t find any. It was rubbish.
Twilight predator 1 comment
This fellow was spotted hunting in the brackish stream behind our tent on the beach at Horgabost, late one evening. Isle of Harris, Western Isles.
Islay Distilleries 3 comments
The island of Islay is famous for its numerous whisky distilleries, dotted around the coast. We experienced all of these, either by paddling past them, visiting them, launching from them, or – although I’m not much of a drinker – tasting their wares.
Dun Carloway Broch 2 comments
Dun Carloway Broch on the island of Lewis, Western Isles of Scotland. Brochs (possibly from Norse ‘Borg’ = fort) were massive round towers of sophisticated construction, characterised by intramural galleries (rooms and staircases within hollow walls). Brochs originated from the Northern Isles and Caithness, spreading to the Hebrides and mainland Scotland by 200 BC. Archaeologists [...]
Holiday snaps 2 comments
Apologies for the cheesy pictures. H and I are just reflecting back on a happy and productive summer holiday in the Hebrides. All good.
An ill-advised open crossing 1 comment
Here’s an account of my crossing to the island of Islay this summer, which was previously posted and discussed on UKRGB. Several ways to end your days – an ill advised open crossing Just thought I’d relate an interesting experience I had earlier in the summer – my crossing from the mainland to the island of [...]
The Tennyson Trail 1 comment
Today I needed to get out and clear my head from a tough week, but the weather wasn’t playing ball – too windy for sea kayaking, too dry for white water. A decent Plan #B was needed. The Isle of Wight never disappoints, so I hopped onto a train and then a ferry, to do [...]
Cold Shower 1 comment
Taken near Valtos, Isle of Lewis, Western Isles.
Kelp burning Leave a comment
These images show a tiny islet in Loch Mhiabhaig, on the island of Harris in the Western Isles. On the islet are the traces of several stone-lined rectangular ‘kelp pits’. In the shore industry of kelp burning, the long fronds of the seaweed kelp* were harvested and processed for soda ash. This was needed in [...]
