Big Rock

It may not be the biggest rock in the world but it’s the only volcanic island you pass on the sea voyage from Belfast to Glasgow. When all those Irish immigrants came to Scotland before, during and after the Great Famine, Ailsa Craig was always the marker of the halfway point.

Whenever we had a family day-out at the coast, we came over the hill beyond Maybole village and our young eyes were awed by the sight. “Look! there’s Ailsa Craig!” was the cry, but my Dad said “It’s ‘Paddy’s Milestone’ – the nickname for the rock dating back to the times of those early Irish travellers.

But you will see it from many parts of the Ayrshire Coast and it always draws the eye. Indeed it always makes for a unique focal point on the horizon for a number of my seascapes.

from Dunure

It’s appearance does alter slightly depending on where you stand and also with the tides.

from Troon

The island is 2.5 miles in circumference and rises to 1,120 feet, is a protected site for seabird colonies, especially gannet, and its granite is famously extracted for the manufacture of curling stones. It amazing how it finds its way into the back of my images.

from North Beach, Ardrossan

On that last shot I chose wide-angle, when I might have used a telephoto lens on the bird. I’m pleased that I did. But sometimes the longer lens just does seem right. A couple of those cormorants……..

back to Troon

And there it is in the background…….again.

21 thoughts on “Big Rock”

  1. Beautiful photos of the rock and sea, James. The light coming down on it is a gorgeous view. Love your unique licence plate and also the fact that it is a protected area for birds out there.

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  4. This was truly unique, James. I love that you gave us different views of Ailsa Craig and the reasons for the shots. ha, great license plate! Interesting to hear the granite is used for curling stones. loved all your photos, as always, and a favorite would be the Forth North beach.

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  5. I love these coastal views and the rocky islet provides a perfect focal point on the horizon. I’ve heard of Ailsa Craig but had no idea where it was nor any of its significance for those emigrants. I especially like your wide shot with the cormorant and I agree, wide angle was an effective choice for that one.

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  6. That’s certainly an unique number plate! But I’m sure the police will tell that every number plate is unique 🙂
    That island is certainly an unique and lovely backdrop to all the scapes. I’ll keep my eye out for it whenever I see photos of the Scottish west coast in future.

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  10. Wonderful to have a family day-out at the coast! How unique, this rock iis the only volcanic island. Beautiful images, thank you for taking us there. 🙂

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