I like – Happy to be a part of the industry of human happiness

Posted on April 27, 2024April 27, 2024 by admin

I❤️EK

I❤️EK is a tribute to East Kilbride, Scotland’s first new town. I worked there for a few years and admired it everyday from the top deck of a bus. It’s a surprisingly colourful place, with lots of green space and fantastic buildings.

Some of the original details are still there, but they are increasingly being erased as buildings get upgraded, or demolished in some cases. This book features many of these modernist moments – original signs and lettering, colourful decoration – collected over the last 20 years.

It took me a long time to finish this book, as I kept going back to take more photos. No regrets though – every time I would wander a little further and find another interesting scene. Some of these places have changed beyond recognition now, but it’s still a great place to wander and soak up the new town optimism.

An added bonus of taking these photos was having some of them used by Roddy Frame (one of EK’s famous musical sons) as a backdrop to his performance of High Land, Hard Rain at Glasgow Concert Hall in 2013. A dream come true for a teenage Aztec Camera fan.

I❤️EK is an A5 photobook containing 60 full colour photographs. It is fifth in a series of photobooks and costs £10 including UK P+P.

Buy now.

Posted on March 24, 2024March 24, 2024 by admin

A choppy trip to Arran

Crew In/Out Board on the M.V. Isle of Arran

First ferry trip of the year on the only operating Arran ferry (for now).

View from the M.V. Isle of Arran on the way to Brodick

Choppiest crossing I’ve ever experienced but it was full of rainbows.

Top deck of the M.V. Isle of Arran on the way from Ardrossan to Brodick

Quite, er, lively on the top deck. My face was salty and my hair was solid by the time we got to Brodick.

Tail of the M.V. Isle of Arran on the way from Ardrossan to Brodick

So many bright colours. Wouldn’t change it for the world!

Posted on February 10, 2024February 10, 2024 by admin

Irvine – to the beach

Following on from the first bits of Irvine, I walked from Puffers Cafe towards the coast, via the edge of the Scottish Maritime Museum. This whole area was regenerated in the 1990s with some substantial Georgian-style buildings.

Lost Child Wrist Bands Available Here, Irvine

Past Boyd’s Automatic Tide Signalling Apparatus, there is a cracking big beach. It was wet and windy, so I stuck to the beach park – a wide open area in between the beach and the town that feels like it’s waiting for the fair to arrive.

I watched a crowd of widgeon on the pond, caught a rare Pokemon, and walked around the crazy golf course.

The old, properly crazy golf courses seem to be disappearing or turning into ‘adventure’ golf, so I’m always happy to find a relic. There didn’t seem to be a way of playing without bringing your own clubs, but maybe it springs to life in the summer.

Posted on January 29, 2024January 29, 2024 by admin

Bits of Irvine

I went to Irvine to look for an owl. I heard there were some on the nature reserve beside the golf course.

I couldn’t find the nature reserve, or any owls, so I walked into town along the river.

Irvine has a great mix of new town/old town/maritime/beach. And an old industrial site full of burst footballs.

The old boats looked striking in the winter light. This was near Puffers Cafe, one of my favourite places to sit and watch birds.

Posted on December 23, 2023December 23, 2023 by Anne Ward

Blackpool, one November morning

The morning after the night before in Blackpool. I went for a walk along the shore.

The colourful edges of the Pleasure Beach.

Eccentric B&Bs.

Quiet bandstands.

I had just watched Fire of Love, the magnificent documentary about vulcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft. I liked the way The Big One looms over this part of town, waiting to erupt.

The World's Largest Mirrorball, Blackpool

Last stop, what was once the World’s Largest Mirrorball, officially an artwork by Michael Trainor called They Shoot Horses, Don’t They.

Posted on December 10, 2023 by Anne Ward

Blackpool, one November evening

I was going to say this is a break from islands and ferries, then remembered this trip to Blackpool started with a detour to Knott End-On-Sea, where the ferry crosses over to Fleetwood. The ferry wasn’t running that day but it’s a scenic spot, with lots of wading birds and a statue of L.S. Lowry who used to paint there.

On to Blackpool. Always an interesting mix of highs and lows. Found this up a side street.

Blackpool at sunset is a beautiful thing, especially in winter.

The Mighty Boosh's entry on Blackpool's Comedy Carpet

Hours of endless fun reading the Comedy Carpet.

And a good spot to sit and watch the starlings fly around the pier.

Posted on November 19, 2023November 19, 2023 by Anne Ward

Holy Isle

Holy Isle is a small island in the Firth of Clyde, off the Isle of Arran – not to be confused with Holy Island in Northumberland. I have looked at it so many times from Lamlash and was determined to get there, even though it’s an epic journey by public transport of two trains, two ferries and a bus each way from Glasgow. In the end, it took almost a year for weather and tide times to align and I just caught the last sailing of the year.

Lamlash cruises boat at Holy Isle, Isle of Arran

The ferry is a small boat operated by Lamlash Cruises. Check their site for sailing times, these vary according to tides and other factors. The journey from Lamlash takes around 15 minutes and the view of Arran from the boat is worth the trip alone. Grant, the skipper, is very knowledgeable and gives visitors a good introduction to the island on arrival.

The Centre for World Peace and Health on Holy Isle, Isle of Arran

The whole island is owned by the same Buddhist community as Samye Ling. The main building is a monastery which is open for retreats but closed to day visitors, apart from the garden. There are only really two paths to take – a walk to the other end of the island either easily along the shore, or more strenuously over the top. It’s about 2 miles end-to-end and there’s a lot to take in along the way.

Buddist rock paintings on Holy Isle, Isle of Arran

Getting around is simple as there are no roads and barely any people. There are some Christian sites like the cave of St Molaise, sitting alongside brightly painted rocks featuring Buddhist deities, and populations of wild Eriskay ponies, Saanen goats and Soay sheep. It took me around 3 hours to amble to the lighthouse and back. It’s not far but there’s a lot to look at.

Holy Isle, Outer or Pillar Rock lighthouse, Holy Isle, Arran, Scotland

There are also two lighthouses on the island. The Inner lighthouse is on a private part of the island, and the Outer or Pillar Rock Lighthouse is at the end of the public path where you can sit and enjoy a good view of the Firth of Clyde.

How to get to Holy Isle on public transport

Train from Glasgow Central to Ardrossan (Scotrail)
Calmac ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick on the Isle of Arran
Local bus from Brodick to Lamlash (Stagecoach)
Lamlash Cruises ferry from Lamlash old pier to Holy Isle – this runs from Spring to Autumn at various times and usually needs to be booked in advance
There is a toilet on Holy Isle, but no other facilities so come prepared

Posted on September 2, 2023December 19, 2023 by Anne Ward

Dunoon and aroon

At the start of 2022, I planned to go to as many different islands on as many different ferries as I reasonably could. By September I felt like I was underachieving somewhat, so I went for three ferries in one day (no islands though), from Gourock to Dunoon (two ways) with a side-trip to Kilcreggan.

The first leg, Calmac’s passenger only Gourock-Dunoon ferry gets you to the heart of Dunoon in 25 minutes. Gourock ferry terminal is close to the station so it’s an easy day trip from Glasgow on public transport.

An old triangular metal sign showing attractions in Dunoon

Dunoon is a slightly forlorn former holiday resort. I used to go there on holiday in the 1980s and forever associate it with rainy bank holidays where everything is shut. This was a better day, and I enjoyed wandering about the pier and trailing around the charity shops.

Puffin Rock in Dunoon with a Western Ferries ferry in the background

Instead of going back the same way I walked along to Hunter’s Quay to catch the car ferry to McInroy’s Point in Gourock, passing Puffin Rock on the way. This used to be called Jim Crow (it was painted like a crow) and I remember it as the highlight of any visit to Dunoon. It has been reimagined and repainted as Puffin Rock now and is part of a small but impressive bunch of brightly painted erratic boulders around this part of Scotland.

Kilcreggan Ferry Terminal on the Rosneath Peninsula

After that I was back in Gourock early enough to nip over to Kilcreggan on the Rosneath Peninsula – the passenger-only ferry leaves from the same terminal as the Gourock-Dunoon passenger ferry. This is a short and sweet ride, only 13 minutes. There is a small row of shops at Kilcreggan and a cafe where you can sit and watch the water where there are cruise ships, nuclear submarines, seabirds and dolphins.

Posted on August 13, 2023August 13, 2023 by admin

The last of Islay

Claire from Lussa Gin gave us a tip-off about the Islay Woollen Mill, which is just off the main road to Port Askaig.

Started in 1883 and still going strong, the mill supplies high-end tailors in Savile Row and further afield.

It is most famous for weaving the tweed used in Braveheart and other big name Hollywood productions. Their fabrics are produced on two traditional Dobcross looms and shipped all over the world.

The vibe inside is distinctly down-to-earth – an old building with lots of character filled with old looms, yarn cones, rolls of fabric and weaving paraphernalia, all higgledy-piggledy.

Lucky visitors can get an impromptu tour from the owners and try out the big scissors.

Posted on June 5, 2023June 5, 2023 by admin

The Library in the Forest

This is Eas Mor Library on the isle of Arran. It’s a little log cabin in a forest beside a waterfall.

Eas Mor Library interior, Isle of Arran, Scotland

The library is filled with books and messages left by visitors over the years.

There are drawings, messages and all kinds of wisdom, from inspirational quotes to ‘We saw a jellyfish’.

Eas Mor Library, Isle of Arran, Scotland - Drink vodka

It was created by Eas Mor Ecology who are working hard to enhance the beautiful area around the Eas Mor waterfall.

The path to Eas Mor Library, Isle of Arran, Scotland

It’s a steep (but fairly short) hike to the top on well-kept paths. There’s a circular route, which is also a steep hike down in places, depending on which route you take.

Eas Mor is 1-2 miles from Kildonan in the south of Arran. There is a car park and a bus stop near the entrance just off the A841. A cafe is planned for the summer.