Garraloo

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Ayrshire

Scotland

Garraloo

Swine cave and disused foghorn on Ailsa Craig Credit: John Ferguson

Garraloo is a prominent headland located in Ayrshire, a county on the southwestern coast of Scotland. Situated along the stunning Ayrshire coastline, this coastal feature offers breathtaking views of the surrounding areas and the vast Atlantic Ocean.

The headland is characterized by its rugged cliffs, which rise steeply from the sea, providing a dramatic backdrop to the coastal landscape. The cliffs of Garraloo are composed of various rock formations, including sandstone and shale, which have been shaped and carved by the relentless crashing of the waves over time.

At the top of the headland, there is a grassy plateau, offering visitors a picturesque spot to admire the panoramic vistas. From this vantage point, one can see the vast expanse of the ocean, as well as the neighboring coastline and the rolling hills of Ayrshire.

Garraloo is also known for its rich wildlife. The headland provides a habitat for various seabirds, including gulls, cormorants, and fulmars. The surrounding waters are home to a diverse array of marine life, such as seals, dolphins, and occasionally even whales.

The headland is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, who come to enjoy activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and photography. Its coastal location also makes it a favored spot for fishing and coastal walks.

Garraloo in Ayrshire offers visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Scotland's coastline, providing a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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Garraloo Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.250056/-5.1154657 or Grid Reference NX0299. 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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Garraloo is located at Grid Ref: NX0299 (Lat: 55.250056, Lng: -5.1154657)

Unitary Authority: South Ayrshire

Police Authority: Ayrshire

What 3 Words

///revisit.products.breakfast. Near Girvan, South Ayrshire

Nearby Locations

Garraloo Craignawn Ailsa Craig Dalton's Cove East Trammins North Port

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