Ailsa Craig - big air and deep water

[Huff_n_Puff]

Brilliant report, stunning photos and a terrific insight on Ailsa Craig - thank you

[Fife Flyer]

A fantastic report & photo's with some really interesting facts

Ailsa Craig is one of those magical sights that always looks intriguing, lived in Ayrshire for 5 years & always marvelled at it's uniqueness & isolation

Thank you for posting an outstanding report

[Mountainlove]

Fantastic report! Really interesting to read and I think it is now on my 'Have to go there' list .
Many thanks for posting!!

[Graeme D]

Superb stuff. This has been exactly what I have wanted to do for several years now, ever since my daughter Ailsa was born in 2011 (named partly after Ailsa Craig) and I did an intro to sea kayaking course later the same year at Glenmore Lodge. Time I stopped faffing around and take a leaf out of your book! Once again, an excellent report.

[rockhopper]

Excellent - a very enjoyable and interesting read and what a great way to travel out there Have never been there but your report is a great advert for Ailsa Craig - cheers

[Anne C]

Absolutely magic report! What an adventure.At first I thought the swirling water might have been a basking shark as I think they used to be common out there.Have once been swimming when seals were close - its a bit unnerving!

[Ian Johnston]

Again, thanks all for your kind comments

Graeme - you should do it! Pick a day with the best possible forecast, allow 2H 45min each way to paddle, 3 hours to explore and climb the hill and at least an hour for the circumnavigation. the trip gets the most challenging (of three) grades in the sea kayaking guides, but with the right preparation it will be a truly magical day trip....

If you don't kayake - get there by boat! Perhaps a WH trip should be on the cards for next year in the early summer when the birds are at their most active?! Even those who see Ailsa Craig daily from the Ayrshire coast are astounded at what's around the far side

Anne - we've seen Basking Sharks quite a lot out in the Clyde, including a very big one in the Kilbrannan sound in April this year...

Kind regards

Ian

[Graeme D]

Cheers Ian. One way or another, it's a must do trip for me!

[Johnny Corbett]

Brilliant, what a way to do Ailsa Craig.

[wilkiemurray]

Superb - absolutely loved that report, can only agree with all the previous comments. Almost looked like you were in the med in some of those photos!!

Only seen the island once but the photos of the cliffs were amazing - looks like an awesome place.

ATB

Murray

[litljortindan]

Damn. I'd persuaded myself that I didn't have to go here after all because it wouldn't be that good. Now having to re-think that. I did enquire of McCrindle earlier in the year about taking a party of two plus a dog and he said he would. That would be lunacy at the moment the state me and the dog are in but maybe one day... Fits in well with train times too. Hmm.

Having been round the St Kilda stacs on a boat I can imagine the sea birds and cliffs at Ailsa Craig must be a sight to behold.

[mountain thyme]

Beautiful pictures. Well done . I enjoyed reading that

[dgmartin]

hi Ian, I thought the route and actors sounded familiar. Yes I'm a kayaker too. You've learnt well from the master photographer and the somewhat different dialogue was also appreciated; well done. Someday I'll get there too.
David

[Ian Johnston]

Thanks David, the good Dr W has been out to Ailsa Craig several times ) It's a trip I'd absolutely do again, that is for sure

Kind Regards

Ian

[Caberfeidh]

Excellent stuff ~ glad to hear the rats are done in, I fancy camping overnight.