The mackerel are in

Colossal shoals of herring fry, known locally as "shielachan" have come into Loch Indaal following the big blooms of plankton and in their turn are  are being chased by shoals of mackerel and saithe (locally called puchie).  The shielachan are being driven up onto the beaches and getting trapped in the rock pools.

Bob Paget has seen it all before - and knows exactly how to cook the shielachan.

One scoop of an INHT net caught enough of the little fish to feed a dozen people. on Sunday. And Monday too.  We dipped them in egg. rolled them in flour and deep fried them in rapeseed oil for about five minutes.  Delicious.

Lots of people gathered on the beach in Port Charlotte to share in the bounty from the sea.

The mackerel were very easy to see and to catch - they were shoaling right next to the shore and could easily be seen.

Bottle-nosed Dolphins in Loch Indaal

Thanks to Kevin Wiggins for these excellent shots of Bottle-nosed Dolphins which he has seen several times in Loch Indaal.

Barnacle Geese at sunset - Loch Indaal

Loch Indaal

Loch Indaal pictured from a skyjack being used to erect a new warehouse at Bruichladdich Distillery.

Scaup

The flock of Scaup wintering in Loch Indaal has declined very sharply in recent years, from 1000 to 1500 only 10 years ago to no more than 200 to 300 in the last few winters. And the reason is almost certainly the stopping of the distillery discharges from Bowmore and Bruichladdich, which no longer provide nutrients for the shellfish which form the main diet of the Scaup. One can't really argue against the removal of pollution from Loch Indaal, even one which is not that harmful to wildlife and actually beneficial to some, but it's a pity in a way that it has had this particular effect.
Malcolm

Loch Indaal from Port Charlotte this morning

Sunset over Loch Indaal

Three shots of what was an exceptional sunset yesterday evening, even by Islay standards.  The weather here during November has been generally rather pleasant.  We have not suffered from the heavy rainfall that has caused much flooding and misery on the UK mainland.

Red Throated Diver - Loch Indaal

Afternoon sun - Loch Indaal earlier today

Scary Loch Indaal

Two rather scary pictures of Loch Indaal in threatening weather - taken yesterday.  Neither have been processed at all - they are straight off the HTC - which does tend to exaggerate the contrasts a bit....  Carl

Scaup flock - Blackrock - Loch Indaal

Scaup seem to spend an awful lot of time asleep

Thalassa

The Dutch tallship Thalassa in Loch Indaal at the weekend - visiting the Bruichladdich Distillery Open Day.

Tallship Thalassa

Dun Cheapasaidh Mor

Ballygrant with the quarry to the right of picture.

Loch Finlaggan

Kepolls Farm with Loch Indaal in the distance

Views from Dun Cheapasaidh Mor earlier this afternoon

Loch Indaal from Port Bhan

Taken a couple of days ago on an HTC phone - no colour enhancement at all....

Dawn over Loch Indaal this morning

This was taken on a phone camera - amazing what results you can get with them.  Carl

Hail showers over Loch Indaal this evening

Sun - just for few minutes

There was a short period this afternoon when the sun came out, but once it had slipped below the horizon, the cloud came back and the mizzle has returned.

Dawn from Port Charlotte yesterday

Spectacular - however, about half an hour after this picture was taken the rain started - and I don't think it has stopped since....  Carl

Sunrise over Loch Indaal this morning

Ireland from above Octomore Farm

I was up above Octomore this afternoon.  There were some  fierce hail showers about.  The village in the left foreground is Port Charlotte.  Ireland is just visible on the horizon to the right.  Carl