Ailsa Craig

Hill, Mountain in Ayrshire

Scotland

Ailsa Craig

Ailsa Craig is a small uninhabited island located off the coast of Ayrshire, Scotland. Rising dramatically from the Firth of Clyde, it is often referred to as a hill or mountain due to its impressive height and steep sides. The island is approximately 10 miles west of Girvan and 10 miles from the mainland.

This volcanic island has a distinct conical shape and reaches a height of 338 meters (1,109 feet) above sea level. Its sheer cliffs are made up of a type of granite known as blue hone, which is highly valued for its use in making curling stones. In fact, Ailsa Craig has been the main source of this granite since the early 19th century.

The island is a designated bird sanctuary and is home to a wide variety of bird species, including a large colony of seabirds such as gannets, puffins, and guillemots. It is also an important breeding ground for herring gulls and fulmars.

Due to its remote location and lack of facilities, Ailsa Craig is not easily accessible to visitors. However, during the summer months, boat trips are organized from Girvan and other nearby ports, allowing tourists to admire its natural beauty and observe the abundant birdlife.

Overall, Ailsa Craig is a stunning and unique geological formation, rich in natural and historical significance. Its towering presence and diverse wildlife make it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers alike.

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Ailsa Craig Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.252581/-5.1183391 or Grid Reference NX0199. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Swine cave and disused foghorn on Ailsa Craig

John Ferguson

Swine holes below the cliffs on Ailsa Craig

John Ferguson

Ailsa Craig - on the walkway which leads to the northern Fog Horn

Colin Park

Ailsa Craig

The disused northern foghorn and Swine cave on the north-western side of Ailsa Craig.

Rossographer

Ailsa Craig

The 'Swine Holes' on the north-eastern side of the island. The raised track carried a compressed air pipeline for the nearby foghorn.

Rossographer

Ailsa Craig

Ailsa Craig Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde southwest of Turnberry, Ayrshire. The photo was taken from the lay-by on the A719 road between the Electric Brae and Dunure. The island is quarried for its rare microgranite which is used to manufacture curling stones and according to Wikipedia, 'As of 2004, 60–70% of all curling stones in use were made from granite from the island.' A disused section of the Maidens and Dunure Light Railway on the Ayrshire coast can be seen above the waterline.

Luath

Collapsed bridge

The engineering of the walkway, which also carried the compressed-air pipes to the northern foghorn, is impressive. Here an iron girder span is in a dire state of corrosion and collapse, but the concrete arches are in good shape. Notable on the shore is an abandoned stone block from which a curling-stone blank has been removed by coring. A great deal of the rock on the shore is angular, and probably waste tipped from the curling-stone working.

Jonathan Wilkins

Modern extraction

In 2020, Kays Curling Stones applied for permission to take new stone from the island and extended their lease on quarries until 2050 and permitted to take 25,000 tons of stone. Here is the site of extraction from 2021 which was famous for providing stones for the 2022 Beijing Olympic games. Extraction takes place during the winter so that seabirds are not disturbed, and that brings its own logistical problems on this island.

Jonathan Wilkins

Walkway to north foghorn

Beyond this point the path to the north foghorn is unsafe according to a prominent sign, the handrail and footbridges being in disrepair.

David Baird

Eider Ducks

There were several dozen of these strikingly handsome ducks swimming in groups within fifty yards of the shore. As yet, this early in the year, there were no signs of nesting.

David Baird

Ailsa Craig View

This view of Ailsa Craig shows the remains of the old tramway that used to transport the fine-grained micro-granite which was quarried here to make curling stones, kerbstones and cobbles. In the 15th century, the island belonged to the monastic order at Crossraguel Abbey. Apparently it was used as a place of solitary confinement for clerics who had failed in their duties.

Mary and Angus Hogg

Goodbye Ailsa

Ailsa Craig, viewed as the paddle steamer “Waverley” left for the return journey to Ayr on a particularly good late-July afternoon. Formed by intense volcanic activity about 60 million years ago, the spectacular rocky island looks different on each side, with huge columnar cliffs rising straight up from the sea. Whatever the weather, a sail around the Craig is always a memorable experience.

Mary and Angus Hogg

Leaving Ailsa Craig

Ailsa Craig with a tiny cloud cap, viewed as the paddle steamer “Waverley” left for the return journey to Ayr on a particularly good late-July afternoon. Formed by intense volcanic activity about 60 million years ago, the spectacular rocky island looks different on each side, with huge columnar cliffs rising straight up from the sea. Whatever the weather, a sail around the Craig is always a memorable experience.

Mary and Angus Hogg

Eagle's Seat

Ailsa Craig, viewed at Eagle's Seat as the paddle steamer “Waverley” left for the return journey to Ayr on a particularly good late-July afternoon. Formed by intense volcanic activity about 60 million years ago, the spectacular rocky island looks different on each side, with huge columnar cliffs rising straight up from the sea. Whatever the weather, a sail around the Craig is always a memorable experience.

Mary and Angus Hogg

Eagle's Seat View

Ailsa Craig with a tiny cloud cap, viewed at Eagle's Seat as the paddle steamer “Waverley” left for the return journey to Ayr on a particularly good late-July afternoon. Formed by intense volcanic activity about 60 million years ago, the spectacular rocky island looks different on each side, with huge columnar cliffs rising straight up from the sea. Whatever the weather, a sail around the Craig is always a memorable experience.

Mary and Angus Hogg

Ailsa View

A distant view of Ailsa Craig taken from the passenger steamer "Waverley" on a beautiful late-July afternoon when the Craig was developing a small cloud cap. The island lies half-way between Glasgow and Belfast, giving rise to the nick-name of “Paddy’s Milestone”, a landmark for Irish immigrants heading for Scotland in the 19th century.

Mary and Angus Hogg

Towards Ailsa Craig

A distant Ailsa Craig, viewed from the paddle steamer “Waverley” on a particularly good late-July afternoon. Formed by intense volcanic activity about 60 million years ago, the spectacular rocky island looks different on each side, with huge columnar cliffs rising straight up from the sea. The island lies half-way between Glasgow and Belfast, giving rise to the nick-name of “Paddy’s Milestone”, a landmark for Irish immigrants heading for Scotland in the 19th century. A local weather saying claims that, if you can see Ailsa, it’s going to rain and, if you can’t see Ailsa, it’s raining already.

Mary and Angus Hogg

Eagle's Seat

The north end of Ailsa Craig. Very steep ground, often overhanging. Anything not overhanging has a gannet on it.

Richard Webb

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Ailsa Craig is located at Grid Ref: NX0199 (Lat: 55.252581, Lng: -5.1183391)

Unitary Authority: South Ayrshire

Police Authority: Ayrshire

What 3 Words

///optimists.yesterday.tend. Near Girvan, South Ayrshire

Nearby Locations

Nettley Howe Doras Yett Main Craig The Rig Kennedy's Nags Stranny Point

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