An Evening at the Coast

Well, we haven’t been able to go off on holiday for a long time now (there’s just reasons for that – it can’t be helped). Most of my photos are taken within 25 miles of home. But even then I can still escape the norm for a while. This week a group of friends and myself took our cameras down to an old haunt on the Ayrshire coast – to the village of Dunure.

Dunure Harbour

Now this is a place with memories. As a boy, I was always astonished by the sea views on the approach to the village, excited by its quaint harbour and the prominent castle ruin that still impresses to this day. I remember going down incredibly steep paths, climbing over the high rock outcrops, trying not to fall.    I remember great picnics. Sometimes my Dad would bring his wee camping stove for brewing tea. And later, when going down with our own kids and family friends there was a treasure hunt followed by a barbecue – I remember a gorse bush was set alight – oops!

Dunure Castle

Now, getting somewhere like Dunure and bringing the camera bag, brings a transportation back in time. And there I am again scrambling up the hill paths and climbing over rocks looking for new compositions and different angles. Lost in the search in this special place I can forget the day-to-day stuff and get wrapped up in this great hobby. And on this occasion we were further blessed with good light and blue skies, though it wouldn’t really have mattered if the clouds had rolled in.

Some of those rocks

The castle remains date from the 15th Century. It was owned by the Kennedys of Carrick who once ruled over much of south western Scotland and were granted the lands in 1357. The Celtic name Dunure or Dunoure is said to derive from the “hill” or “fort of the yew tree”. In August 1563, Mary, Queen of Scots, visited the castle for three days during her third progress round the west of the country.

View to the South towards Ailsa Craig island

Dunure has been used as a film location several times. Best known is one location for the Outlander series when the harbour area was transformed

Dunure – Outlander Locations

Washed up trunk

We finished off our night last week with an almost super sunset. The sky didn’t quite light up but I went home happy.

13 thoughts on “An Evening at the Coast”

  2. Hi Jazzibee – I’ve never been to Scotland. How lucky you are to have this place to visit! The way you described your visit as a “quaint harbour and the prominent castle ruin that still impresses to this day” fits so well. I enjoyed your composition of the photos – simply stunning, nice job!!

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    1. Thanks John! It’s a quaint place but the castle is a real attraction. If you look closely at my top image you’ll see someone up on top of the castle walls – not recommended!.

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  6. It is nice you can still get away in close proximity to your home and have it feel like a mini holiday. And how wonderful you can return to place that were memories first. The village of Dunure looks so quaint and inviting through your photos, and the castle a curious history I enjoyed hearing about. Thank you Jazzibee. Outstanding.

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    1. Thanks Tina! You’re so right about being able to choose a good day. Some day soon I hope to go down when the the weather is a bit wilder to perhaps get some big waves in the viewfinder.

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