Ailsa Craig
You can't stop catching it out the corner of your eye in views up and down the Firth of Clyde.
"What's that," you think, "that improbable pebble?"
It is Ailsa Craig, cliff-girt on all sides bar a short landing area and quarry. It really shouldn't exisit, this abrupt stone, rising alone and supreme 1000ft out the middle of the sea. Arran to the north is bigger, more varied, yet Ailsa Craig's simple profile appeals more.
From Stranraer or Arran, it appears conical.
From Kintyre or the Ayrshire coast, its vertical sides ease off to a flattish top, like a curlingstone - apt, for the quarry on Ailsa Craig is the source of all true curlingstones. Fact.
You walk away from the viewpoint, but can't help turning back for one last look.
"What's that," you think, "that improbable pebble?"
It is Ailsa Craig, cliff-girt on all sides bar a short landing area and quarry. It really shouldn't exisit, this abrupt stone, rising alone and supreme 1000ft out the middle of the sea. Arran to the north is bigger, more varied, yet Ailsa Craig's simple profile appeals more.
From Stranraer or Arran, it appears conical.
From Kintyre or the Ayrshire coast, its vertical sides ease off to a flattish top, like a curlingstone - apt, for the quarry on Ailsa Craig is the source of all true curlingstones. Fact.
You walk away from the viewpoint, but can't help turning back for one last look.
Comments
Best wishes from Wales,
Jane