Surfing , Stone Skimming & Castles

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Last weekend the male contingent of the Eyre family were very keen to test out the waves in Scotland. Hence a 2 and a half hour drive from Oban to Campbeltown , straight to “Breaks” surf shop to hire necessary wetsuits and boards before heading to Macrahanish. The golf course is located directly behind the sand dunes and you have to drive across the golf course (beware the golf balls) and along the beach (in a 2wd) to the surf. Macrahanish provided a nice 3 foot swell and a water temperature of 14 degrees meant a couple of hours were spent catching waves. Of course Emily & I were not brave ( or silly ) enough to test out the water but were very happy watching from the shore.

This weekend we decided to head to the tiny island of Easdale to participate in the 2008 World Stone Skimming Championships. Easdale ( once the centre of British slate production), has a population of only 60 people, it is located a short 3 minute passenger ferry ride from Ellenabeich on the Island of Seil. The island of Seil is accessed from the mainland by crossing the “Bridge over the Atlantic” - the only bridge to span the Atlantic ocean.

The stone skimming takes place in a disused slate quarry and of course the skimming stones are slate. The Eyre family reigned supreme with Jake taking out 2nd in the under 10 boys (skimming a distance of 21 m) and Emily taking 2nd in the under 10 girls with a distance of 1m.

A trip to Scotland would not be complete without visiting castles. We have visited the ruins of Dunollie Castle ( built in the 13th century by the Macdougalls), it is located on the road between Ganavan and Oban just a short walk from where we are staying. Dunstaffnage castle a partially ruined castle and one of Scotlands oldest stone castles. (also built by the Macdougalls in the 13th century but taken over by the Campbell Clan in the 15thC). We also visited what remains of Tarbert Castle, once belonging to Robert the Bruce.

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Photos

Ganavan Beach
This beach is a 5 minute walk from where we are living

View from Whinbrae
The view from our lounge window

CalMac Ferry
The view from Dunollie Castle

Brambles
Brambles (blackberries) grow everywhere - perfect for eating!!

Oban
View of Oban from Pulpit Hill

Tarbert Castle
All that remains

Machrahanish
Ready to hit the waves

Machrahanish
Its not Byron... but still a wave

Westport Beach
Another surfing spot

The shed Inspectors
The entertainment

Down Low
But not low enough

What a proud moment
Receiving her 2nd place medal

Another Proud Moment
2nd place u/10's World Stone Skimming Champion

Comments

[Ann Hickey]

Hello from the Hickeys
Hi ho tim says hi hope u are having a good time during the hols tim has been to tennis camp + clare has been to band camp. the weather is warm + summery from the Hickeys.