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More Success for the Islay Pipe Band
Thursday, August 07 2008
Black Bottle Islay Pipe Band have, yet again, been successful in competition adding more silverware to their trophy cabinet. In Lisburn, Northern Ireland at the European Championship on the 26th July, the band attained 2nd place, but were 1st equal with the Irish band Manor Cunningham, who won on ensemble preference. The band were delighted to be placed second as twenty bands were in grade 4a, eighteen Irish and two Scottish, the other being The Royal Burgh of Stirling, who were also successful and took 3rd place. Next on the piping calendar is the World Championships, which will be held at Glasgow Green on the 16th August. Pipe Major Nigel Morris told the Ileach; 'We are looking forward to the Worlds very much, as this is the top event of the piping year. If you’re in Glasgow at the time, come along and cheer us on.'
This story was published with kind permission of the Ileach local newspaper.
Tag: islay pipe band
Kilarrow Village Islay - Drawings from 1772
Wednesday, August 06 2008I found some interesting information and drawings today about the village of Kilarrow on the website of the British Library. There are a few snippets of text and some images of very old drawings, drawn by James Miller. Today we know Kilarrow from the parish with the same name and Kilarrow House in Bowmore. Kilarrow itself was a village very close to Islay House and from the library text you can read what happened to it:
The entire population of the village of Kilarrow was moved to the new planned village of Bowmore in the mid 18th century as part of the then Laird's plans for the grounds of Islay house (Bridgend). Bowmore, located by Loch Indaal, was given a grid plan and better quality housing, which encouraged people to settle here. Today this place is in the grounds of Islay House and nothing remains of the village of Kilarrow apart from the churchyard.
Sketched view in the town of Killaru (Kilarrow) on the Island of Ila (Islay), drawn by James Miller in 1772.
Islay House Square five Years ago and More
Tuesday, August 05 2008Browsing through some older issues of the Ileach newspaper I found this article about Islay House Square. It was written in 2003 and gives some interesting background information on the Square, of how it was and what the plans were back in 2003. It's interesting to see if the plans were succesfully completed.
Like many great estates, Islay Estate has witnessed remarkable changes over time. Gone are the days when hundreds of people were employed directly by the estate. In its heyday, Islay House Square was a hive of activity with up to 120 stable hands arriving each morning to report for duty at the Estate. This splendid example of Scottish island architecture fell into disrepair and was abandoned for several years as the character and operations of the estate changed. However, Islay House Square is once again a vibrant centrepiece amongst Scottish estates where local people live and operate burgeoning cottage industries. It is an outstanding example of how an estate is transformed from the old to the new. The self-contained business units now operational in Islay House Square have enabled people to live and work on the island. It has underpinned the local property market and rekindled a strong sense of community.
There will be further retail units to let once the final stage of the redevelopment is complete. In 2001, the 2nd Lord Margadale, James Morrison, Chair of the Islay House Square Company, was ready, albeit reluctantly, to sell the Square. Tim Kirkwood, Chief Executive of CKD Galbraith, persuaded Lord Margadale that it was possible to retain the land and convert the buildings into a number of smaller self-contained units that would be ideal bases for local businesses. The cost of the redevelopment of the buildings could be offset against the revenue generated from commercial leases. In addition, CKD Galbraith advised that the redevelopment may attract funding through Scottish Executive initiatives to promote rural economies, such as the Highlands & Islands Agricultural Programme and the Agricultural Business Improvement Scheme. Continue reading....
Ride of the Falling Rain Report
Monday, August 04 2008
Yesterday, Sunday August 3rd, was the annual Ride of the Falling Rain. brian palmer reports about this fast growing cyclo sportive event on Islay: according to the signing on sheet (picture right the mighty dave t), we had about 39 riders and it was sunny all morning - very much against the grain. by the time everyone had had coffee and the occasional bun, we set off from debbie's in bruichladdich around 10:30. although the notional distance is 100 miles, there's no rules and regulations, so you can ride whatever distance you fancy. islay's roads allow for plenty of escape routes.
with midway point being the old kiln cafe at ardbeg distillery, i'm not aware of anyone who missed out on that. ardbeg very kindly allowed all participants in the ride of the falling rain to have a dram of their finest, before setting out on the second leg. and that was when the rain started. by the time the lead peloton was half-way along the high road, it was heavy enough to stop and don rainwear - at least for those who had brought any. Continue reading....
A Special Islay and Jura Feature
Monday, August 04 2008
When you visit the West Highlands of Scotland you're likely to come across an Oban Times publication called Holiday West Highland, a newspaper style magazine packed with tourist information of the West Highlands such as where to go, what to see, where to eat and where to stay. The magazine covers an area that roughly stretches from the Mull of Kintyre and Islay in the south to Mull and Fort William in the north and includes all the islands of Argyll and Bute. There are several issues every year and the August issue is, for me, a rather special one, hence this article.
When Sally from the Oban Times contacted me and asked for permission to use a picture of the Jura Hotel I was delighted and was glad to help out. When she later asked me to use more pictures of Islay and Jura for their August and future issues of the magazine I was even happier. It's not everyday that a major newspaper wants to use my pictures for an Islay and Jura feature. The August issue of the magazine was sent to me last week and today I noticed that it is available for download as pdf as well. In it you will find some interesting articles of Oban, Mull and Iona, Inveraray and a feature of Islay and Jura called "wild and wonderful gems of the Hebrides." The Islay and Jura article includes a credit which I'm very proud of:
Ron Steenvoorden from the Netherlands created wonderful websites for Islay and Jura; visit www.islayinfo.com and www.jurainfo.com to learn all about the islands on these beautiful websites, created with the love he feels for the islands. Also available is a blog site he has developed called blog.islayinfo.com for news and reading/posting comments. He has kindly provided all the fabulous photographs you see on this Islay and Jura feature.
Tag: oban times websites holiday west highland
Islay Nature & Wildlife Report 30 - Dragon Fly
Sunday, August 03 2008
Welcome to this weeks Islay Nature and Wildlife report with a contribution from Jeremy Hastings and the highlights from the other Islay wildlife and birding blogs.
In last weeks report I wrote something about the Rowan tree and today I came across a really nice Islay tree picture (right) which I took in Bridgend, there where the river Sorn flows into Loch Indaal. But as much as I like everything nature has to offer, there is still so much to learn and I couldn't come up with the name of this tree... I asked a friend and she believes it's a Sycamore, a quite common tree on Islay, although it could be a variety or a whole different tree as well. If anyone has the correct answer please contact me. Thanks :-)
The Islay Birds blog: Ian must have had a busy week considering the many posts although it's getting a bit quieter: "Michal commented that bird wise, things were a bit quieter, as obviously the breeding season is now past, although he did see and hear Pipits, Skylark, Stonechats, the odd Hoodie Crow and a few Herring Gulls." On the last day of July Ian writes: "As the weather has broken down, the visible birds have gone down too. A visitor reported in to the Islay Natural History Trust, to say that they had seen a Basking Shark in the Sound of Islay at Caol Ila." The rain Ian wrote about lasted well into the night leaving almost an inch. About the rainfall he writes: "The total for July was 3.6", slightly wetter than last July, but the running total so far this year is similar to 2007."
John Armitage from Portnahaven, who runs the Islay Birder Blog, has returned from a trip to the mainland and is back to blogging about the wildlife on Islay: John was also bothered by the rain on Thursday: "Awakened early to the rain absolutely lashing the front of the house ruining all thoughts of a seawatching session." and Friday was even worse: "If yesterday was bad today detioriorated still further, with steady downpours being heavier at intervals and then, thankfully, coming to an end in late afternoon." Saturday a whole different story and luckily back to some good summer weather: "An absolutely splendid day.....yes, sunshine and warmth! A minimal wind and, altogether, a nice day for birding. The sea saw a consistent passage of Manx Shearwater south, Gannets moving north and south , presumably on feeding forays, with the odd Kittiwake and Fulmar between although no auks!!!" Continue reading.....
Islay's Mackenzie Island for sale
Saturday, August 02 2008
If you are interested in having an entire island for yourself, close to Portnahaven on Islay, and have no plans on living there you might be interested in the following article, which appeared in the Press and Journal:
It could be the ultimate status symbol for wealthy investors who have avoided the hardships of the credit crunch. Mackenzie Island, or Eilean Mhic Coinnich in Gaelic, is a small and uninhabited land near the famous west coast whisky isle of Islay, and it is on the market for offers over ÂŁ100,000. But its new owners are unlikely to be able to do much with the wildlife-rich island. Not only does it lack mains services, the 42.7-acre island is a site of special scientific interest and a special protection area. Its current owner, Gilbert MacNab, of Stirling, grazes cattle on the 42.7-acre island, accessed from a sandy bay. His successor may simply enjoy using their new acquisition to watch its breeding population of greylag geese and Arctic terns.
The picture shows Mackenzie island on a beautiful evening in May, during one of the many sunsets we have enjoyed in the Portnahaven & Port Wemyss area.
Tag: portnahaven island mackenzie island
Isle of Jura Nominated
Friday, August 01 2008
In April the Times Online started the Green Spaces Challenge, focussing on worldwide and UK travel destinations. Today the Times Online reported that the Isle of Jura has been nominated by Lesley Beryl Hawker in July for the 2008 Green Spaces Travel Awards. Other nominees are Bamburgh in Northumberland, Minsmere Nature Reserve and other places from all over the world. It's interesting to read the motivation from Lesley and specially what she writes about Islay after her Jura trip: "returning to Islay after three nights of solitude was weird - all those roads, restaurants and people". Fact is that Islay has more roads, people and restaurants than Jura although this almost sounds like a difference between day and night, but everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion of course. About the Isle of Jura she writes the following:
Jura in the southern Inner Hebrides is my favourite green space. It is about 30 miles long with a population of 200 and a wonderful friendly community who welcome visitors with a special brand of hospitality. The island has many acres of moorland, lochs, wild coastline and forest where you can enjoy solitude, beauty and freedom. There are about a hundred species of birds including golden eagles, rabbits, hares, about 6000 red deer, otters, seals, dolphins, and occasionally passing whales if you're lucky! You can explore the island on foot, by car, boat or on a guided tour and the adventurous can even see the Corryvreckan whirlpool where George Orwell nearly drowned while he was living in the north of the island writing "1984"
Peace and Tranquility on the Isle of Jura
Tag: jura award green spaces
Ride of the Falling Rain
Friday, August 01 2008
It had long been the aim of Velo Club d’Ardbeg to congregate enough cyclists that would constitute a mobile traffic jam. For while this year has seen unprecedented numbers of cyclists visiting the island, amalgamating them all in one peloton is something that is probably not going to happen. However, on the first Sunday of August in 2007, twenty-seven cyclists met outside Debbie’s Café to undertake a 100 mile ride around the island. Due to day-long rainfall (hence the title), not all covered such a distance, but most gave it a darned good try. So we’re doing it again this year. If you fancy attempting the distance, or even a part thereof, join us once again on Sunday 3rd August, at Debbie’s in Bruichladdich for a 10am start, whether it’s raining or not. Unlike the majority of cyclo-sportives these days, the Ride of the Falling Rain has no entry fee, no feed stops (other than a visit to the Old Kiln Café at approximately half-distance), no timing, and no prizes. Just a local celebration of the art of cycling and mobile conversation for most of a day. We do respectfully ask that, if possible, you collect sponsorship monies on behalf of the Braveheart Fund, a charity which aims to support young Scottish cyclists in their possible careers. Other than that, turn up with bicycle, food and water, and probably waterproofs.
Further details can be had from www.rideofthefallingrain.net, e-mail puddles@rideofthefallingrain.net or call on 01496 810 653 in the evening.
Tag: cycling brian bike ride charity
Exhibition Heather Dewar and Myrtle Eadie
Friday, August 01 2008
Currently on display at Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile, is an exhibition of works by sisters Heather Dewar and Myrtle Eadie, both accomplished artists in their own right.The majority of the works were carried out in pastels, a medium not often used well. However, the works on display prove that it is a medium that allows great artistry and expression when employed by the right hands. Myrtle’s works are of Islay landscapes both large and small, and show a degree of progression over a period of time. Heather’s are predominantly of farm animals and birds, beautifully observed and benefit from masterly draughtsmanship. All the works are available for sale, and it's recommended that you pay a visit before the exhibition ends on 29th August.
Tag: art heather dewar myrtle eadie
