It's Only Four Months To Our Holidays!

It's got round to that time of year when thoughts turn towards holidays. I do promise you that they had turned to holidays before the warm sunny weather appeared on the horizon, in fact I have left our holiday booking a little bit late this year, but fortunately the weeks we wanted and the places we wanted were still available.

It is always a bit of a problem sorting out when we go away on holiday due to the fact that from now until the end of September I seem to always have dozens of weddings to play for.

So the first job is a careful look in the diary to try and find two consecutive weeks when I don't have any weddings to play for. This is easier said than done. During the month of July I have at least two weddings to play for each week, and sometimes three. August and September are no better! However with one wedding booked for Saturday 29th September, the next wedding I have booked is not until Saturday 20th October, so by asking my deputy to play for the September wedding I can get a clear fortnight.

Next problem is, are the two self self catering establishments available for the consecutive weeks we require? A quick look on their websites confirms that they are, so telephone calls to each reserves the weeks we require at the appropriate establishments! An e mail booking with Caledonian MacBrayne, running their car ferry on the Ardrossan - Brodick route completes the necessary arrangements!

Caledonian MacBrayne is an important element of the Scottish scene. It runs a ferry service to many of the West Coast islands.

This is the current CalMac Network of ferries.



We have visited the Isle of Arran for nigh on twenty years now, and the first CalMac ferry we sailed on was called the Isle of Arran.

The MV Isle of Arran

As passenger numbers grew, and particularly during the Summer Months a second smaller ferry was introduced to run between the Isle of Arran sailings, but eventually a newer larger boat was introduced to the Ardrossan - Brodick run. This is the Caledonian Isles.

The Caledonian Isles at Ardrossan Harbour



The Caledonian Isles en route for Brodick

The Caledonian Isles approaching Brodick Pier

Thoughts of holidays.........

The sunny weather of the last few days turned my mind to thoughts of holidays. For almost forty years my wife and I have spent at least one holiday each year in Northumberland, and in particular we have visited an island just south of Berwick upon Tweed called Lindisfarne (or Holy Island). To be precise it is not strictly speaking an island, because twice a day Lindisfarne is joined to the mainland at low tide, and twice a day, at high tide, it is cut off from the mainland, and then becomes an island. It is approximately two and a half miles long and nine miles all round. The island is very low lying and with the exception of the Castle little of it can clearly be seen from the nearby A1.

Crossing from the mainland at a small village of Beal one has to be mindful of the tides, and large notices tell visitors when it is safe to proceed. Cars have been known to have been washed off the “causeway” (a metalled three mile long road built in 1954) and vanished – never to be seen again. Hardly a week goes by in summer without some foolhardy driver getting stranded on the causeway as the tide rolls in and cuts them off.







Having said that, what is it that makes the island so attractive to my wife and self? It’s certainly not picture postcard pretty, although there is a very picturesque castle perched high on Beblowe Crag, owned by the National Trust, which can be visited. There are also the remains of an ancient priory and a superb little museum, both owned and run by English Heritage. Lindisfarne mead (a drink made famous by the monks of long ago) is manufactured sold on the island. There are some lovely walks, and the Parish Church has a statue of St Aidan (a northern saint) in its grounds. The island has been called the Cradle of Christianity due to its links to St Cuthbert and St Aidan, and the monastery that was built here long before the current priory was built. I think more than anything else it is the atmosphere of the place which appeals, and that cannot be captured on any photographs. The best time to be on the island is when the tide is "closed", and all the day visitors have left. You then begin to get the true atmosphere of Holy Island.




The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin Holy Island.

Lindisfarne Castle, perched high on Beblowe Crag. The castle was built from stones salvaged from the ruins of the priory.

About sixteen years ago my wife decided she would like a change, so we visited the Scottish islands of Arran, Mull & Iona. Arran, being the nearest island became the most visited. It is marketed as Scotland in Miniature. A short trip of 55 minutes from Ardrossan across the sea to Brodick on a Caledonian Macbrayne car ferry marks the beginning of the holiday. It should be pointed out that the approach to the ferry in Ardrossan is rather grim and dour, but recent new building of a marina and new housing is gradually improving the town.

This is the Caledonian Macbrayne car ferry "Caledonian Isles" which travels between Ardrossan on the mainland, and Brodick on the Isle of Arran.

The seafront at Brodick (the main "town") contains a wide variety of family shops as well as a large Co-op. Brodick is built on a long sweeping bay and has a sandy beach at the north end of the bay.

To the seaward side of the bay is a grass expanse with flower beds and seats from which you can admire the view, whilst Goatfell, the high mountain sits across the bay. Those who feel energetic can climb to the top and will be rewarded with magnificent views across to mainland Scotland.

About a mile north of Brodick is Brodick Castle, which is run by the National Trust for Scotland.
It is well worth a visit, and is still furnished. Up the stairs in the main hall are approximately 50 stags heads mounted on plinths!

Brodick Castle is also known for its gardens, which are always immaculate. A wander round the gardens, which are quite extensive, will pay dividends. The gardens are famed for their rhododendrons., but you may also be lucky enough to see red squirrels, which are the only squirrels resident on the island.

About six miles north of Brodick is the picturesque village of Corrie, with its typical Scottish style cottages, nearly all of which are painted white.

You will be surprised by the Viking Longboat which is moored in the harbour. The figurehead was built by Marvin Elliott a resident sculptor on the island.

Lochranza is the village situated at the north of the island, and is famed for two things. One is the deer which regularly can be seen wandering around the village, grazing or drinking water. The small ferry behind the deer is the Lochranza - Claonaig ferry which takes you from the north of Arran across on to the Mull of Kintyre.

The other is the castle, which is ruined, but can still be visited.

Towards the south west of the island is the small village of Blackwaterfoot which has a picturesque harbour.

Further south is the village of Lagg, which has one of the oldest Inns on the island (The Lagg Inn). It also has beautiful gardens adjoining the Inn.

Kildonan is situated at the south coast of the island and is well known as a place to see the resident seals, which often haul out onto the rocks.

Whiting Bay is on the south west coast and has some unique shops. The Village Post Office is called the Letter Box.

From Whiting Bay you can take a 2 - 3 mile walk up to the spectacular Glenashdale Falls.

The next village northwards is Lamlash, which is built along a sweeping bay.

From the northern end of the village you get this lovely early morning view of Holy Isle, which is owned by the Samye Ling Bhuddist Monks. Trips can be taken out to the island in a small motor powered launch. Wild goats and ponies inhabit the island.

The early morning view above was taken from the studio flat we rent when we stay on Arran.