Monument to an unknown craftsman

Just beyond Eilean Dubh there is a small stone jetty sloping down into the water. The construction is very robust and solid; it appears to have been associated with an estate "big house".  At high water it made a perfect landing place for a short break prior to crossing back over the Kyles to the Bute shore and then to Rhubodach.

Above the jetty there's a road which has been levelled along the shore and is now in use as a footpath.  Perched next to the road are these beautifully crafted stone blocks.  The larger of the two must weigh well over a tonne and is worked with corners and edges carved back from rough featured faces.

But the smaller of the two blocks is a thing of real craftsmanship.  The faces of this stone have been incised with an intricate inlaid pattern which is both complex and graceful.  The individual inlays are still sharp and clear.

The upper face of the block is equally ornate.  A Scottish saltire is etched across the length of the stone, while the pattern of the vertical faces is repeated to accentuate the saltire.

The craftsmanship on display here is striking and despite the lichens which are slowly colonising the surface the whole is quite beautiful.  Who made this I wonder?  It was presumably a piece commissioned by an estate landowner and meant to demonstrate wealth and status.  Well, it does that, but much more tellingly it demonstrates the skill and artistry of an unknown stonemason.  It has outlived the landowner and the time of the great estates but the skill in the making of this stone lives on

Kyles of Bute, Loch Riddon and Eilean Dubh

Back in October whilst visiting relatives on the Isle of Bute I had an opportunity to do some paddling on the Kyles of Bute, the narrow strait of water which separate the island from the Argyll mainland, into which the north of Bute fits like a ball and socket.

I set out from Rhubodach on a clear and calm morning, waiting until the ferry to Colintraive, MV Loch Dunvegan, departed on her short voyage.

My route took me up the east Kyle and then into Loch Riddon, which is a shallow sea loch lined with maritime oak woods.  Autumn's full colour was still to develop but the trees were laden with acorns.

After paddling to near the head of the loch on the east shore I came back down on the west shore and arrived at Eilean Dubh (the dark island) behind which is a popular if small anchorage for yachts.  Remains of estate infrastructure stands in remarkably good condition near the island, this crane looked as if it could be put back into service with a bit of work

This small but distinctive lighthouse stands on a small point on the shore, Eilean Dubh is to the right with the entrance to the anchorage between.  In spring Eilean Dubh is a noisy place as there is a large heronry in the big trees.

A memory of 2013

Looking back over some images from last year brought back lots of memories of great days in the outdoors. Mountain days, low level walks, watching the turn of the seasons and sea kayaking - I was blessed with some superb days. Trying to pick one outstanding day wasn't easy - but I was drawn to the sea kayak trips as there had been quite a few memorable days and journeys. The Small Isles, paddling along Ardnamurchan in tricky conditions, multi-day trips in the far northwest and a the fulfilment of a long-held hope to round Point of Stoer were all superb experiences. The image below however, seems to encapsulate one of the best days I've ever had in Scotland's great outdoors...... 

Taken towards the end of a February day on the Sound of Arisaig whilst paddling back towards Glenuig with the islands of Eigg and Rum on the horizon.  It had been a day of superlative paddling with good friends in perfect conditions.  We had landed on several white sand beaches and some of us had swum (briefly!) in the sea - in February, in Scotland - in warm sunshine and yet the ground in the shade had been hard frozen and frosty.

We were to be treated to a sunset of rare beauty and would round off the day with a fine meal at the Glenuig Inn.

So, what's your outstanding outdoors day of 2013?

Happy Christmas

                             Wishing you peace and happiness, wherever you may be this Christmas

An extraordinary sunset

Whilst completing a few last minute jobs in the garden I became aware of a quite extraordinary sunset developing overhead......

                      Quite apart from the gorgeous colours, thee was an unusual effect in the clouds........

                                          ...which intensified and formed as we watched.

A 3D effect combined with blurring at the edges of the clouds made for a wonderfully textured skyskape

These may have been Mammatus clouds formed in sinking air, a quite unusual cloud type.  Certainly the weather had seen some big fluctuation in temperature over the previous 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the bottom edge of a more defined bank of clouds resembled flames as the sun fired through it and the colour reached a rich crescendo before gradually fading.  We were simply spellbound at this beautiful and most extraordinary of sunsets.