Getting to Ailsa Craig

[denfinella]

Thinking about trying to get to Ailsa Craig sometime this May / June, after failing to find a date last year. Why go? Well, the top of the rock is a sub-2000', plus of course a fantastic viewpoint. And home to a massive gannet colony...

There are a couple of boat operators in For an offering trips (with a few hours on the island) for about £30p/p, but both require minimum numbers and good weather conditions (and to be honest, we don't really want to go on a poor day either). Anyone interested in clubbing together to form a viable group size? There are two of us...

Tuesday or maybe Monday next week are an early possibility, as the weather's looking promising. But it might be difficult to organise a group by then. Failing that, something during the week beginning 14th May could work, though it's too far away to make any predictions about the weather.

[Caberfeidh]

Getting there is the easy part. Be sure to arrange a return trip...

Don't pay the ferryman, don't even fix a price; don't pay the ferryman, until he gets you to the other side...

[KatTai]

I'd be up for going, I can't do next week though so if you have a later date (not a Monday), I'd be happy to come along

[denfinella]

I'd be up for going, I can't do next week though so if you have a later date (not a Monday), I'd be happy to come along

Great. That makes 4 of us (I got a PM from someone else). The dates that suit us 3 (so far) are Sat 19th May and Sat 2nd June - would either of those work for you?

[nigheandonn]

Any idea of times? I might be interested if it's the 19th (I'm away on the 2nd), but might have to be back in Edinburgh for the evening.

Thanks.

[KatTai]

I'd be up for going, I can't do next week though so if you have a later date (not a Monday), I'd be happy to come along

Great. That makes 4 of us (I got a PM from someone else). The dates that suit us 3 (so far) are Sat 19th May and Sat 2nd June - would either of those work for you?

I'm supposed to be working those weekends at the moment but I can see if I can put in a holiday

[denfinella]

There are potentially 6 people interested in Sat 19th May so far, so that's starting to look like it might work, if I can get one of the boats to take us. Anyone else, or bring a friend?

I'd probably wait until sometime that week to see what the weather's doing before booking.

@nigheandonn: not sure about times - will need to check. Might depend on tide / winds etc.?

[denfinella]

OK, I've spoken to the two boat operators in Girvan. Both are already booked for the morning of Sat 19th, but have availability for the afternoon, weather permitting.

MV Glorious: min 8 ppl (about £30pp), max 12 (£25pp). Depart about 1pm, 3 hrs ashore, return 6pm.

Sea Fishing Scotland: min 8 ppl, max 12. Depart 4.30pm, 2 1/4 hrs ashore, return 8.30pm.

MV Glorious looks better as it's an earlier start and more time on the island. I've said I'll phone back in a few days if I've found enough people for a trip.

So far 6-7 people have expressed interest in Sat 19th May:

denfinella x2
KatTai x 1 (depending on holiday leave)
nigheandonn x1 (depending on return time?)
kaye.cantlay x1 (possibly x2)
kmai1961 x1

If you're on the list above, can you confirm that you can definitely come if we can get enough people? Anyone else I can add to the list? Ideally I'd like to get 12 people so that we still have more than 8 if some drop out.

[Sgurr]

OOPs should have posted in quiz thread

[kmai1961]

I'm in. Thanks!

[KatTai]

I'll try to find out at the weekend if I can have the day off

[kaye.cantlay]

I'm in for 1 person.
1pm start would be perfect.
K

[PeteR]

I would be up for this, if there is still some spaces

[denfinella]

Latest update for Ailsa Crag trip - still looking for a few more people to keep costs down (and as insurance in case anyone pulls out), but it's looking promising.

Saturday 19th May
MV Glorious (min 8 ppl, max 12)
Depart 1pm, 3 hrs ashore, return 6pm
£30pp (£25 if 11-12 people)

Skipper / boat operator has said he's available, but I won't confirm until I've got 10 people or so. So far we have the following interested people:

Yes
denfinella x2
kaye.cantlay x1
kmai1961 x1
Pete R x1

Probably
KatTai x1 (depending on holiday leave)
nigheandonn x1 (depending on evening plans?)
iangpark x1 (depending on work)

Maybe
kaye.cantlay +1 (OH?)

Still 3-7 spaces left depending on who confirms. Would be good to get a full boat.

[donalmc]

I would take a space possibly 2, last time I went down the boat was not landing on island despite being told it was night before just as well other passengers mentioned it had time to get off .