January Light: Ailsa Craig (1)
Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde is the plug of an extinct volcano. In the 16th century the island was a haven for Catholics during the Scottish Reformation, but today it is an uninhabited bird sanctuary. In addition, it is the source of granite for almost all curling stones.
Here, it is seen from Troon under the last rays of December sunlight. After today’s twilight view, I’ll return to it tomorrow in daylight.
Part of Becky’s January Squares Challenge: words ending in light.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
The source of granite for almost all curling stones! Worldwide? If so, I have touched granite from Ailsa Craig.
Jude
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60-70% of them. The other source is in Wales.
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Super shot. Wouldn’t fancy living there for any length of time. But I guess it was better than what awaited them on the mainland.
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I guess so!
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Stunning photo! Likely many unique birds find sanctuary here, Anabel. Thank you for sharing.
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I’d love to land on the island some day to find out.
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What a beautiful sunset!
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This was from a few years ago when we stayed in Troon between Christmas and the New Year. Great view from there.
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Awwwwww!
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Exactly!
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Stunning
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Thanks!
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Nice sunset. It’s a great island.
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Iconic. You always know where you are when you see that lump rising from the sea.
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I first read that name in Nicholas Monsarrat’s novel “The Cruel Sea” – a long long time ago.
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Not a book I know (though I’ve heard of it).
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It’s a long time ago that I read it. I believe it was also made into a movie, and somewhere in my memory, very faint, I have the notion that I may have watched it.
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I have a memory like that! Sometimes I’m halfway through an unfamiliar book or film when a particular incident makes me suddenly realise that I’ve read or seen it before.
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But a memory like this helps me to really enjoy movies again which I’ve seen before. Just now my wife and I are experiencing this while watching again all the episodes of “Foyle’s War” which we watched a few years ago. Well, we did remember that we watched them then, but we don’t remember the contents. So it is renewed fun.
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You didn’t forget! 🙂 🙂
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Not lost it yet then!
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This is a beautiful photo, and interesting to learn about the curling stones.
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Yes, for a volcanic lump it has a lot of interest about it!
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Curling stones. How interesting!
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Special granite, apparently!
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A pumpkin-colored sky. Beautiful!
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I hadn’t thought of that description, but yes it is!
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Very beautiful and an interesting history, too.
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I knew about the stones, but not about the Catholic haven.
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Great picture..very ghostlike, to me anyways. I had no idea this is where the stone comes from to make the curling stones
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It does rise from the sea in a ghostly fashion.
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Hi Anabel – Aisla Craig is an amazing outcrop – and fascinating that the Curling stones come from there. Love the photo – cheers Hilary
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Yes, apparently the granite there is particularly suitable.
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Stunning capture
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The boy done good. Again. Selection and editing all mine.
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I wondered if it was a team effort again!
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Yes. The simpler shots are my own. Anything that looks remotely clever is usually his.
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Lovely light!
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Lovely place! Thanks.
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😊😊
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