Port Ellen - George Robertson

 

 

 

Three studies of Port Ellen from George's summer collection.  Many thanks for sharing...

Geology Field Trip Report

Fourteen of us joined Professor Alasdair Skelton and his post-grad student Vincent for a Geology trip based around two sites, the first being a location just south of Bunnahabhain.

We enjoyed a fascinating overview of both first principles of geological classification, and also a truly memorable demonstration of how the eastern half of Islay was formed, using a set of coloured rubber mats and a map.

We had a close look at the remains of the Wyre Majestic, the Fleetwood trawler that ran onto the rocks here back in 1973.

The weather was kind overall, and we enjoyed some spectacular views down the Sound of Islay

One of the many highlights of the day were these fossil stromatolites, some of the most ancient (and successful) living things on the planet.

Our second location was the Ard near Port Ellen where Alasdair had conducted the research for his pHD.

This was an exploration of how carbon dioxide, formed from the remains of organisms that lived around 700 million ago years, became trapped in rock 30kms below the earths surface and then escaped.  Or something like that..!!  - Carl

Port Ellen Memorial - Niall Colthart

The war memorial at Port Ellen by Niall Colthart - thanks Niall....

American Monument - Niall Colthart

Another impressive shot from Niall. The orange glow is Port Ellen.

Hurricane

Ramsay Hall, Port Ellen

Ramsay Hall, Port Ellen

Frederick Crescent, Port Ellen

Trailor blown onto side - Auction Mart, Bridgend

The hurricane struck the shores of Islay at around 6am on Tuesday 3rd January causing significnat amounts of damage to property.  I have added these pictures for the record. most of which are courtesy of Alison Mactaggart.

Feral Goats - Niall Colthart

This is a really classy capture of two goats near Port Ellen, with the on-going harbour works in the background - cheers Niall.

Hooded Crows - Kilnaughton

Hooded Crows are usually extremely wary, but this pair on the rocks of Kilnaughton Bay near Port Ellen were obliging enough to allow this picture to be taken with a point and shoot camera - which shows how close they were....
Carl

Port Ellen pre-school children

We enjoyed a visit from pre-school children from Port Ellen this morning...

Professor Alasdair Skelton

An audience of over one hundred packed into the Centre yesterday evening to hear a presentation entitled 'The Geology of Islay' by Professor Alasdair Skelton of the University of Stockholm.  Alasdair's talk was highly entertaining as well as informative and the Trust appreciates his efforts.
Alasdair has a long association with Islay - research for his PhD centred on the geology of the Ard peninsular near Port Ellen during the 1980's and he has visited a number of times since both with his family and with groups of students from Stockholm.
He is proposing to bring another group during March 2012, and has offered to conduct geology field trips for people on Islay at that time.  We will bring you more details of this as arrangements firm up.

Carl

Greylag geese - Jo Griffiths

Another classy shot from Jo - from the background I would suggest that this was perhaps taken on the Ard, near Port Ellen...

First Amphibians

Like Ian and Margaret, I saw my first amphibians of the year on the road while driving back from Port Ellen last night.  Could not swear as to whether they were frogs or toads - and please forgive me for not getting out to check as it was absolutely pouring with rain...!!
Carl

Port Ellen

An old view of Frederick Crescent Port Ellen from the Museum of Islay Life.  Virtually every house has smoke rising from the chimney - and the vast majority would have been burning peat.  Far less peat is burnt on Islay today that in times past.

Islay Skies - George Robertson

Three more pictures of spectacular Islay skies from George, all taken around Port Ellen.