Standfirst

There has, naturally, been a lot of talk about the new Brodick ferry terminal. And love it or loathe it, it is here to stay. The Arran Civic Trust, in its role concerning amenity on the island, here takes a look at the unintended consequences of the design of the £30 million facility. These observations are intended to be constructive in the hope of aiding beneficial change.

Main copy

There is dissatisfaction with the new terminal and how it is operated at present. Some are directly ferry related, some transport hub related. Others parking related and one or two convenience related. It is important that these matters are looked at in the interest of travellers. The issue is, what is a lifeline ferry now? Departing and arriving on Arran has always been a community experience, meeting and greeting, saying farewell, watching the boat dock, seeing friends on the boat as it docked and waving. Part of the amenity of Arran. We are not an airport, but an island community.

Terminal related

·       No seats in booking hall for anyone including those who may be waiting for a wheelchair, or for another family member trying to park a car somewhere. This needs to be changed as the design of the terminal does not cater for this.

·       Difficulty meeting someone off the ferry upstairs to assist with bags, children etc

·       The fire alarm went off on Thursday at the ‘tea-party’ after the opening…what would have happened if there were wheel chairs or disabled individuals upstairs when use of the lifts is not advised ?

·       There must be a plan to assist if the ferry cannot latch onto the walkway. Descending the steep emergency stairs is unsatisfactory especially for those less mobile or carrying larger wheelie bags. Recently passengers had to climb up the two flights onto the ferry via the car deck, after descending the emergency stairs!

·       The stairs up to the waiting room are steep, so that descent is precarious as was shown on Thursday after a fire alarm. The stair edges need coloured strip.

·       An additional bannister running down the centre position on stairs would give passengers added confidence and something to cling onto.

·       Are the toilets on the ground floor (two in the ladies, one so close to the sink it will surely not last long!) out of bounds to bus passengers if the booking hall is out of bounds to them?

·       The passenger connecting ‘tube’ is not a comfortable experience and having only one person off the ferry at a time is surely a design error. It is a long way to walk, with bags etc. Does CalMac intend to have a minibus to carry those who need it onto the upper car deck. What about heavy bags? In an airport bags are sent separately to the plane.

·       Suggestion: a passenger survey be done soon, which should discover the flaws in the whole process for passengers, especially those without a car. This can be taken to CMAL to obviate similar mistakes at Ardrossan with the intended new terminal.

Ferry related

·       Do ferry times need to be changed to cope with the new reality? That will involve SPT.

·       Are the stats being collected correctly about disruption and are weather related cancellations ever used as a cover up for other docking problems?Why does the AIS not show Caledonian Isles sometimes, as happened recently?

·       Would it be sensible to suggest that CMAL now repair the old harbour jetty etc so an alternative berthing can be retained?A new linkspan costs money but nowhere near £30M, and at the same time maintain/repair the actual docking area, which has been sadly neglected for years.

·       It is clear the angle for berthing at the new terminal is posing problems.

Transport hub related

·       The previous terminal acted as a transport hub for those waiting for the ferry, whether going or collecting new arrivals. Often departing passengers get a car lift from their home to the ferry long before the ferry is due. Are they expected to stand outside in the rain and wind when, previously, they could sit quietly in the terminal building for up to two hours, especially if the ferry was delayed or cancelled. That opportunity has gone, yet that was so much part of the charm of Arran.

·       Perhaps the old ferry terminal could be opened as a transport hub? Islanders met friends whilst waiting or departing; it was a community hub.

·       It also acted as a hub for bus passengers. The fact that people waiting for buses are now told they cannot wait in the new ferry building must be changed and seats provided. If they arrive having bought a coffee at Copperwheats they should be allowed to drink it in the entrance hall. The name needs to be changed to ‘Hub Hall’.

Collecting passengers

·       Why can they not wait upstairs to meet friends and family? The collection of tickets must change to enable this. Seeing friends off from the island is also part of the collective way of caring on Arran, the last goodbye, the hug. Preventing the intimacy of departure shows a lack of the emotional intelligence of the design.

·       We are now into lighter evenings but CalMac must think ahead to dark, wet nights and the management of visitors and locals alike.

Parking

·       One of the problem areas is parking. Now that many islanders cannot get their cars easily on and off the ferry, especially at weekends, increasing numbers are leaving their cars between The Douglas and the Co-op. Second home owners also now leave their second cars there when they are off island, often for weeks at a time.This needs to be managed. Where is additional parking coming from? Is parking outside the terminal to be ticketed and if so, how? Do we need a bye-law along the front in Brodick too?

·       Car booking needs to be more efficient. Apparently, doctors will be able to get a car onto the ferry at short notice but advice is that booking should be made weeks in advance.

·       As soon as RET made booking difficult for cars particularly, the wealthy were able to afford to book multiple tickets knowing some will be redundant but retain a guaranteed place. This should be prevented.

·       Posting a letter at the post box at the old ferry terminal recently, a postman remarked that the box used to be half full, now just a few letters. Does that mean removal of the amenity? It surely must be moved and placed near the new terminal, the obvious place.

Does RET have flaws? What is the philosophy of a life-line ferry? Has it now changed and placed the needs of islanders below that of tourism?

These observations have been sent to Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), Caledonian MacBrayne and the Isle of Arran Ferry Committee.

                                                                                                                        Sally Campbell

• Next week the Arran Civic Trust consider the environmental issues facing the island.

The passenger connecting ‘tube’ is just one of the areas of concern. 01_B17civic01

It is clear the angle for berthing at the new terminal is posing problems, according to the report. 01_B17civic02

The new Brodick ferry terminal. 01_B17civic03

Passengers have to carry luggage up and down stairs. 01_B17civic04

There is concern that there is no seating in the ticket office downstairs. 01_B17civic05

Scottish finance minister Derek Mackay officially opens the new terminal earlier this month. 01_B17civic06

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Thought for the week

‘So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.’ 2 Cor 4:17

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By Hugh Boag

The floral tubs which brighten up the villages of Arran have been saved.

Each of the village associations around the island have agreed to take over responsibility for the flower pots after North Ayrshire Council said they could no longer maintain them.

As previously reported by the Banner the council blamed budget cuts for the decision to stop planting the tubs, warning that if the villages did not take over responsibility for them they would be taken away.

There are some 75 tubs around the villages which are presently in full bloom with spring flowers. However, when they die it will now be up to each of the village associations to replant them.

At the monthly meeting of Arran Community Council chairman Bill Calderwood was given an assurance that each of the village associations were willing to take over responsibility for their tubs.

In a one off move, he said the council had secured £600 in funding from the Arran Trust, which would be match funded by the village associations, depending on how many tubs they have, allowing them to buy £1,200 worth of plants for the tubs. These are being purchased and brought to the island at cost with the assistance of Eleanor McCue of Eleanor’s Flowers, who the meeting heard had been a great help.

Brodick Improvements were the first to agree to take over the 16 tubs in Brodick. Lamlash, Kildonan and Blackwaterfoot have 10 each to look after. The others are at Corrie 9, Kilmory 8, Whiting Bay 7, Shiskine 3 and Machrie 2.

However, Mr Calderwood previously warned it was not just the case of removing the spring bulbs and planting the summer bedding plants. ‘There has to be fairly regular watering and there is a fair degree of ongoing maintenance,’ he said.

The council blamed the need to abandon the tubs on the fact there are fewer grounds staff on the island and the planting out budget for the whole of North Ayrshire has been halved. They have played no part in making the new arrangements for the  flower pots.

It is not the first time that the community associations have stepped into to take over responsibility for public facilities following the public toilet and play park debacles.

The community council heard this week that the new toilet block at Sannox, which was delivered last month, had now been commissioned and the keys handed over the Corrie and Sannox village committee.

The flower tubs, like these in Brodick, have been taken over by the village committees. 01_B17tubs01

The new toilet block at Sannox. 01_B17toilet01

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CalMac triathlon

Sir,

Have you tried the ultimate Arran fitness test yet?

To warm up, you wander along the blue tape until you get to a desk where you can buy an entry ticket. Then to the first leg, the mountain.  At the top, while you catch your breath – your entry ticket will be taken so you are allowed into the second challenge – the departure lounge chicane, dodging legs, bags, cases, dogs, small children while you weave between the rows of seats to take position in another blue tape maze.

You are now on the starting line for the last leg, the long march. Once the tape is lifted, you are off on a hike halfway to Ardrossan, only to be stopped by a posse of high-vis clad stewards who point you in the direction of the ferry and a welcome rest and refreshment.

But beware, instead of automatically turning left for a cup of tea, do the same and you will end up in the bar, maybe not such a bad idea after all that exercise.

Yours,

Elizabeth Ross

Glenloig

Trail care

Sir,

I want to say thank you to all those from the high school and local mountain bike clubs who took part in the IMBA Europe take care of your trails volunteer day in the Fairy Glen near Brodick.

A lot of hard work was done and a very obvious difference made to the trail.

Special mention must be made to the high school pupil who cycled from Lochranza and back just to join in the day, and another who baked really great biscuits to encourage us to do a bit more work.

Yours,

Andy Walker

Arran Forester

NAC responsibility

This is a copy of the letter sent to Councillor Ellen McMaster.

Dear Mrs McMaster,

First, a quick word about the writer. I am 75 years old and suffering from a rare and disabling condition called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). I am Canadian – Scottish by nationality and was head of art and design at Arran High School for many years. My employer therefore was North Ayrshire Council. In addition, I was the founder of the Arran Heritage Project at the high school.

As soon as work started, I discovered that the senior citizens had a lot to give to the younger generation, and not just about Arran’s recent social history but about life too. They had had so much experience, regardless of what paths they had followed. It was touching to see how this normally difficult age responded to the older ones, whether it was about their own house or village area, or their occupations. The interest was mutual.

I am now highly dependent on social services and require assistance with many personal matters. But now we hear that NAC intends to withdraw support for staff in sheltered housing. Specifically, here at Glen Estate, the services of Ann Reid are threatened. Ann looks after the personal plans and the general welfare of each tenant. She is invaluable, since she reduces the need for expensive hospital stays – hospitals are full – also for transfers to Montrose House. The only alternative is the private Cooriedoon nursing home, beyond the reach of all but the rich.

I thought, wrongly it appears, that Scotland was egalitarian. I now wonder what my Canadian friends would think of this situation? Besides, the national news reports that after years of cuts ‘austerity Britain’ is over. If this is the case, NAC are putting themselves outside the loop. Does NAC have a responsibility to their people? Are the SNP, who are the largest party, middle ground or very right wing? If the latter, as in UKIP, I will never vote for them again.

Yours,

Maureen Farquharson

Brodick

Road information

Sir,

I am astonished at the lack of communication regarding the possible road closures and disruption to traffic during the resurfacing of many of the island’s roads.

As I require to commute daily from Corrie to Whiting Bay, I made enquiries at the pier, then the bus station offices for information. Neither knew any details of road closures and I was told that even the police had not been informed.

Making the assumption that the road will be open to allow the bus to connect with the ferries is all very well, but travelling outwith these times makes it a bit of a lottery.

Some details please?

Yours,

Fiona Reiss

Corrie

Note: This can be cut

Ultra thanks

Sir,

It is a pleasure writing this list. Because it has been a pleasure to bring an event to the Isle of Arran, meet so many residents, and to receive your immediate kind words of praise for the event. From our point of view the event was very successful. Now I don’t measure that based on the number of entries or the lack of injuries (though I am sure there are a few fatigue niggles – it was tough!) but based on the participant feedback. They loved it! We gave them more than two Ultras! We gave them almost four days of adventure tourism – enough time for them to sample ‘many of the many’ attributes of the island, and we look forward to coming back next year!

You may know that both the event and the participants made donations to the Arran Trust, and that the preferred charity for Rat Race Adventure Events is Children with Cancer UK, and for whom the participants raised a stunning £1M in 2017.

I would like to say a sincere thank you to everyone who helped in many different ways. I appreciate that I did not reach everyone as early as you might have liked, and that sometimes you gave critical opinion and comment. But that comment certainly gets my attention, and I am always, all ears. Thank you.

And lastly, someone that you might think would be less influential. I have probably been visiting Arran for 20 years. One man that I always seem to meet and have a chat with; Alastair Hendry in Glen Rosa. To me, he represents the assured friendliness that underlies Arran’s land and people. This was emotionally influential.

One last reassuring word on the Lamlash Boardwalk. The Coastal Path will become increasingly important to Arran. I know that some of you are vexed by the structure. The 250 runners that passed along it on Saturday morning had no comment on it. There were no incidents. Hopefully it is not quite the hazard that you might fear it is.

Yours,

Gary Thompsett

Architect of Adventure

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Saturday April 18, 1998

Squirrel trouble

Of particular pride on Arran is that we have red squirrels and not grey. The greys, bigger and so common in city parks, tend to push out the red and there are few parts of the UK where they are not the most numerous or indeed the only squirrels.

This week we have heard of a cat which recently caught six red squirrels. Normally too nippy, even for cats, was there a reason for these poor squirrels being caught? It turns out the squirrel was partly bald and had lesions on its head. Was it ill?

Dr Peter Nettleton at the Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh is researching the disappearance of red squirrels. One aspect of this is a disease which is a bit like myxomatosis but it affects only squirrels. The disease is currently attacking squirrel populations in England, both red and grey and there are fears that it may be on Arran.

Church music

Written and compiled by John Dick, a new book called Music in Lamlash Church, has been well compiled by the author who is also the present organist. Unsurprisingly it starts with the organ which was installed in 1934 and was gifted in memory of the Rev Peter Robinson, who had been the first minister of the church.

John’s story continues with details of the organists and pays tribute to the many people involved in music at the church. The book also tells of the various musical visitors to the church, The Glasgow Orpheus Choir, BBC Radio, Evening Praise on television and the more recent Arran Chorus.

John does not neglect the bells, nor the bellringers. The bell tower design is said to be based on St Marks in Venice and the Carillon of bells is unusual in Scotland and certainly the only set on Arran.

Controlled burnings

Mountain and forest walkers are being advised by the Forest Enterprise answerphone that controlled burnings by the Forestry Commission are taking place across Arran. Currently there is controlled burning near Kilmory and additional burning near Brodick Castle.

Causing a stir in Whiting Bay last week was Cumbernauld visitor Joanne Shirra and her pet rabbit, Toffee, who has been trained to walk around, albeit slowly, with a collar and lead. 01_B17twe01

Travelling craftsman, Mike the Knife and his little green van have become a familiar sight on Arran over the last four years. Real name Michael Dimmer, he travels all over Argyll plying his trade which is sharpening knives, shears and any other tools. 01_B17twe02

Children show off their creatively decorated headgear at the Brodick Castle Easter bonnet parade held last weekend. 01_B17twe03

Adults also have a chance to show off their creations at the Brodick Castle Easter bonnet parade. 01_B17twe04

Arran players did well at the rugby sevens last Saturday. Putting up a brave fight they were eventually defeated in the semi finals at the new Ormidale sports park. 01_B17twe05

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Prolific performers Ensemble, an operatic concert group from Fife, will be adding Brodick to their long list of venues at which they have performed over the last 35 years.

Named after their enjoyment of performing ensemble items, rather than a series of solos and duets, the group have a wide repertoire which is usually performed in costume and semi-staged.

Raising funds for the Arran Trust and performing for the enjoyment of it and at their own expense, the group have helped charities raise tens of thousands of pounds during their hundreds of concerts over the years.

With a show they first performed last year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where they have appeared for more than 21 consecutive years, Ensemble will be performing Irving Berlin: 100 years of song at Brodick Hall on Saturday May 12, at 7.30pm.

Tickets priced £10 can be purchased from the Book and Card Centre or online at www.arranevents.com. Cheese and wine is included in the ticket price.

Members of Ensemble who will be performing in Brodick Hall in aid of Arran Trust. No_B17ensemble01

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The new independent Community Board was unanimous in delivering a strong message on behalf of their communities to CalMac’s managing director, Robbie Drummond and other members of CalMac’s management team at their second meeting held in Largs and Millport last week.

The meeting was attended by Arran’s two representatives, community council chairman Bill Calderwood and Sheila Gilmore of VisitArran.

Overwhelmingly the main concern was that measures being taken to deal with a recent vessel breakdown are failing to prevent major disruption bringing significant economic damage and having a detrimental impact on individual and families life. Cuts in timetabled sailings, deployment of vessels with inadequate capacities and inability to book even available space in some cases are all adversely impacting  communities’ and  the sustainability of local businesses.

While the board recognised that CalMac have to operate with the resources available to them there was huge frustration that when at peak times and periods of full capacity the service is at serious risk if even one vessel is out of action as at present. The board has offered to positively work with CalMac in formulating a plan, including more robust contingency and prioritisation measures, which will help to protect the lifeline ferry services in the short, medium and longer term.

Areas such as fleet resilience, maintenance/dry docking,  purchase/charter of additional tonnage, crew transferability etc will all be included in the mix. Mr Drummond has accepted the offer and a small group of board members has been identified to start working with CalMac, CMAL and Transport Scotland as soon as possible.

The board feels it can contribute a legitimate community perspective to future planning decisions that will affect the service and communities in the network.

Communications have also been a serious issue and it is important that not only should these be consistent but they must be informative and comprehensive and take into account the likely effects in all relevant communities. Again the board has offered assistance to CalMac in this area and this has been accepted.

The board says it is focused on working with CalMac, Transport Scotland, CMAL and other stakeholders to help address weaknesses and and to identify measures that can be taken to initiate improvements in line with community expectations and needs.

The independent Community Board was set up last November to provide an insight into the issues affecting island and rural communities for  ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne.

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People who are deaf or have hearing loss in Arran are being urged to help a campaigning charity’s research project by sharing their experiences of accessing and using local health services.

Action on Hearing Loss Scotland is encouraging deaf people to get in touch regarding their experiences of accessing GPs, local health centres and hospitals – especially if the health service staff were not deaf aware or if working hearing loops were not available at reception points and consultation rooms.

Interim director Teri Devine said: ‘As part of our research project we are keen to find out about deaf Arran residents’ experiences of arranging and attending appointments at GP surgeries, local health centres or hospitals.

‘We are particularly interested in finding out about good and not so good examples of appointment booking processes, the levels of deaf awareness shown by health service staff as well as any communication barriers faced by people who are Deaf or have hearing loss in getting the medical information that they need.”

Contact the charity by email: scotland@hearingloss.org.uk, telephone: 0141 341 5330 or text: 07388 227407.

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Lamlash Golf Club

Thursday April 19, Summer Cup, CSS 67. 1 Andy Smith 81-14=67 BIH, 2 Scott Campbell 82-15=67, 3 Neil Young 72-4=68. Scratch Dougie MacFarlane 68. Magic twos Andy Smith, Graeme Andrew, Scott Campbell, Lee Dutton, all @16th.

Sunday April 22, Drift Inn Quaich, Stableford, CSS 67, RO. Winner Ian Bremner 30pts. Runner up Lee Dutton 26pts.  Scratch Ian Bremner 23pts.

Fixtures: Sunday April 29, Hastings Cup first round, 8.30am, 9.30am and 12.30pm. Thursday May 3, Summer Cup, make up own games, see starter for times.

Whiting Bay Golf Club

Wednesday April 18, Summer Trophy. A total of 18 played in the latest round of the Summer Trophy. CSS stayed at 63 and Stan Rainey carded a magnificent nett 59 to win by three from Ryan Armstrong. Jamie Macpherson had the lowest gross score of 70. 1 Stan Rainey 11, 59, 2 Ryan Armstrong 9, 62, 3 Paul Robson 17, 63, 4 Gus MacLeod 12, 64. Magic twos Stephen Judge and Nicol Auld, both @2nd.

Sunday April 22, Captains drive-in and prize. This fell victim to the weather and will now be played on Sunday May 13.

Brodick Golf Club

Wednesday April 18, Summer Cup, 26 played, CSS 66. 1 Matthew Keir 67-4=63, 2 Gordon Hendry 70-6=64, 3 Bob McCrae 73-8=65. Scratch Ewan McKinnon 66.

Sunday April 22, Belhaven Medal, 10 played, CSS 65. 1 John May 85-21=64, 2 Donald McKinnie 77-11=66, 3 Bob McCrae 75-8=67. Scratch Bob McCrae 75.

Congratulations to the ladies team on retaining the Kiscadale Salver!

Fixture: Sunday April 29, Brandon qualifier, 8.30am and noon.

Corrie Golf Club

Saturday April 21, Medal. Only eight played on what was a lovely day,  something to do with football maybe?  1 E McKinnon 60+1=62, scratch, 2 R Logan 73-6=67. Magic twos E McKinnon. Another great score by Euan.

Fixtures: Saturday May 5, 18 hole Medal. Ballots at 9am and 2pm. Wednesday May 9, Medal and magic twos ballot at 5pm.

Tuesday April 24, Peter Sutton, CSS 64. 1 Ron Woods 64pts, 2 Phil Betley 67pts, 3 Cambell Laing 70pts.

Fixtures: Tuesday May 1, Peter Sutton/Lady Mary, tee off at 12.30pm and 5.30pm. Saturday May 5, Hugh Steel Cup, tee off at 12.30pm.

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There was a good turn out last Sunday on Arran taking part in the Finish for Matt event.

Runs have been taking place across the country to remember tragic chef Matt Campbell who collapsed and died during the London Marathon last month. And Barbara Crawford and Carol Brown, who ran the marathon, came up with idea to hold a run on Arran.

Last weekend 28 island residents, including a baby in her pram, ran or walked the 3.7 mile course, in memory of the distance Matt failed to finish, to raise money for his charity the Brathay Trust. His total has now reached £337,851 and is still rising.

Runners and walkers at the start of the Finish for Matt event. 01_B18matt01

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Arran Ladies hockey club, fresh from completing all of their league games, enjoyed a visit from the Stirling Wanderers for a friendly match, some socialising and a shared appreciation of the game.

Far removed from the usual competitive matches, the two teams met for a knockabout which resulted in a score very loosely calculated to be about seven points to the Wanderers’ three – but the score didn’t really matter.

The Stirling Wanderers set up a camp – with permission from the Ormidale Pavilion – for the duration of their visit and spent an enjoyable time away, camping in tents and a large recreational vehicle.

Making an entire weekend of their visit, the Ladies spent team-building time with each other, played a fun and informal game, and socialised with their Arran counterparts at the Ormidale Hotel afterwards.

In keeping with the fun atmosphere, hosts Arran Ladies had a pre-game warm-up aerobics session attended by both teams and led by Kirstie Barton and Pauline Reid who donned a pink wig for the occasion.

Adding to the zany and fun spirit of the game the Arran Ladies also wore bright pink tutus which matched their pink tops.

Billy Dunlop and Pauline Reid umpired the game, assisted by Kirstie Barton and Cat Galbraith, who allowed Pauline Reid some time off so she could enjoy playing.

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Road users who have been affected by the temporary traffic lights on Brodick hill will have to endure further weeks of delay before the situation can be rectified.

That is the warning from North Ayrshire Council who have set up the temporary traffic lights owing to subsidence under the road which has caused the  pavement to collapse and weaken the road.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: ‘A survey and inspection of the retaining wall has taken place and the road has been made safe by moving traffic away from the affected area.

‘We are considering options and will consult with local representatives shortly to discuss the impact of the repairs on the road network.

‘It is likely to be a few weeks before any work starts and in the meantime the temporary measures will remain in place and the road will be monitored. Every effort will be made to minimise delays on the road network.’

The temporary traffic lights, while only allowing one way traffic for a short few metres, has been creating a bottleneck effect owing to the nearby junction, which at peak times, experiences heavy traffic owing to ferry departures and arrivals.

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The latest exhibition at the Arran library is Brodick Memories which runs to May 29.

Brodick boy Billy Hartley eldest son of Jock and Nellie Hartley (Nee Mckinnie) was born on Arran in 1935, aged 19 he joined the Royal Air Force serving in the telecommunications section as a teleprinter operator.
He was posted to Aden in the Gulf and purchased an AGFA 120 folding Camera.

On his return home  after military service in 1957 he used the camera to good effect recording the Brodick social scene in the late 50s and early 60s.
These  unique photographs  of many of the Brodick worthies, in those far off days when camera’s were few and far between, show a side of Brodick social life mostly forgotten as only a handful of the subjects are still alive.
It has to be said that drink seems a recurring theme!

The splendid photo is among the Brodick Memories on show at the library. NO_B18library01

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Lamlash Church was packed  on Tuesday for the funeral of Arran farmer and community stalwart Willie McConnell, who died on Monday April 23 – just days before his 81st birthday.

After the service he was carried from the church by members of his family acting as pallbearers and led by his son and former First Minister Jack McConnell, now Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale. He was buried at a private service at Lamlash Cemetery. A full obituary will appear in next week’s Banner.

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Auchrannie Resort has been named this year’s winner of the hotel lodges of the year award at the prestigious Scottish Hotel Awards 2018, which took place in Edinburgh on Sunday April 22.

The annual awards, now in their 15th year, recognise outstanding achievements in the Scottish hospitality industry, the length and breadth of the country.

As well as winning the national award for  hotel lodges, Auchrannie was also noted as highly commended in the spa hotel category.

Collecting the award on behalf of Auchrannie was general manager Richard Small. He said: ‘Winning a Scottish hotel award is always a great honour. It is a reflection of the commitment and hard work of all the team at Auchrannie, each of whom play an important part in our continued success.’

General manager Richard Small collects the award. 01_B18auchrannie01

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The search for missing dog Drogo received a welcome boost after receiving national coverage by the BBC Scotland earlier this week.

Drogo was adopted from Bosnia by Emma Campbell of Lamlash who has been intensively searching for the missing canine for over seven months since he bolted on a familiarisation walk just weeks after he arrived on Arran.

Enlisting the help of expert dog finders Lost and Hound Canine Capture Team, Emma has been relentless in her efforts at reuniting with Drogo, going as far as adopting Drogo’s sister Goldie to help entice the German Shepherd cross into a cage.

Raising Emma’s optimism in capturing Drogo in a feeding trap from the expert dog finders, Drogo has recently been photographed by a trail camera right at the entrance to the trap. Fearing that the trap might seem a bit too enclosed for Drogo – who is skittish – a larger trap will soon be used to hopefully lure him in now that a feeding pattern has been established near the trap.

But it is not all good news though, Emma’s new concern now lies with the fact that lambing season is well underway and that a dog who has had to resort to primal living might be tempted by the newborn lambs – an undesirable situation which farmers might resolve with a shotgun owing to the devastation that sheep worrying can cause.

Emma told the Banner: ‘I am overwhelmed by the amount of support and offers of help that I have received. While they are appreciated I have been advised that we stick with the systematic trapping plan and that people kindly refrain from approaching him or trying to seek him out.

‘I feel responsible for Drogo and even when sighting him recently with friend and Arran Ranger Jo Totty, I had to avoid calling out to him to prevent scaring him away from being acclimatised to the cage which is our best hope of capturing him after having failed with all of the other methods.

‘Thank you everyone for all of your well-wishes and words of support. We hope to get Drogo home soon.’

While Drogo has been out in the wild fending for himself he has become an elusive but minor celebrity with a large following and with his own social media page called Finding Drogo, where regular updates are provided and sighting recorded.

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In a week of iconic rebirths Arran’s famous handcrafted porcelain birds and animals have come home to roost.

Island Porcelain has come full circle and can be today be found back in its original home, Studio 4 in Lamlash, after more than 40 years.

Artist Tracey Gibson, who has run the Boathouse in Brodick for 15 years, bought the company last year and had originally planned to open her showroom there. However when Studio 4 became available she jumped at the chance to take it back to its spiritual home. ‘There is a real provenance that the collection is back where it all began,’ she said.

Tracy has transformed the former jewellers and beauty salon into a bright and airy setting for the Island Porcelain wares, which have collectors far and wide, now being produced in the downstairs workshop.

Each figure is individually hand-made, to a high standard. It is then carefully hand-painted and fired to an eye-watering 1200 degrees. Most figures have a matt, unglazed finish which is characteristic of the products. This process means that no two pieces are ever the identical, making each piece truly unique.

Birds make up the majority of the designs, which now number more than 60, though there is a small range of porcelain animals such as dolphins, seals, red squirrels and their popular Corrie Sheep, modelled on the sheep which stand on the quayside at Corrie and Sannox. Personalised items and Christmas designs are also available.

It was in the early 1970s, Alasdair Dunn, the renowned Scottish potter, painter and sculptor began producing the porcelain miniatures from his workshop at Kings Cross ad many of these are still in the growing collection today.

After his death in 1986 his dedicated team continued with his successful business until in 1988 they decided the time was right to follow their own dream. Their continued hard work and determination and, of course, some Alastair Dunn’s vision, ensured the business went from strength to strength, allowing them to purchase the Old School in Kilmory in 1990. By then it was being run by Anne Rhead, Ile Ash, Janette Head and Marie Park and later Morag Grieve.

Their business flourished until 2006 when they decided it was time to sell and the company was bought by Vivienne Lambie. From there Island Porcelain found itself back in Lamlash for a short while before eventually settling in Corrie, where it remained until last year when Tracy became the latest custodian.

For Tracy, a talented painter and craft worker who lives in Lamlash, it is a new challenge but one she is looking forward to. ‘It is very much a work in progress,’ she said, ‘it will probably take me the rest of the summer to get up to speed with the whole range. I expect the puffins to be the best seller, as they have always been, but have also had a lot of interest in the seals and sheep. The customers seem to like what they see.’

When the Lamlash shop is fully up and running Tracy also plans to have a display in The Boathouse as well.

The majority of the minatures sell for around £26 and are also available online at https://islandporcelain.com

Tracy in the Island Porcelain shop back home in Studio 4. 01_B18tracy01

The bright spacious interior of the new shop. 01_B18tracy02

Tracy outside the Lamlash shop. 01_B18tracy03

Inset: A herd of deer under production in the workshop. 01_B18tracy04

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Arran Historical Society members enjoyed an entertaining and interesting talk on the geology of Arran and some of the animals which have inhabited the island, including the Arran hand beast, at its April meeting, writes Hugh Brown

The talk was conducted by Dr Neil Clark of The Hunterian museum in Glasgow who visited Arran to see a recent discovery of chirotherium (hand beast) footprints preserved in rock at Kilmory. The discovery has now been recorded by a team of geologists. The footprints were formed in very wet mud and had been partially filled by the mud before being preserved.

The first chirotherium footprint was found in a university geology store and traced back to Arran. The chirotherium was like a crocodile with longer legs set under its body. Translated from Greek the name means hand beast. This relates to the rear footprint with four fingers (claws) and a pinkie sticking out at right angles like the five digits of a human hand.

After the first report of the discovery the speaker found one near the King’s Cave and other footprints and tracks have also since been found round the south end. The footprints vary in size and shape. Further discoveries may help to clarify more details of the beast and help us to understand more, including what it ate.  It lived during the Triassic period when the climate was hot and desert-like and Scotland had moved north of the equator, level with North Africa.

The first and oldest fossil track found is at Laggan on the North end of the Island. This was of an immense millipede called arthopleura. The tracks are from the Carboniferous period when Scotland was near the equator with a tropical climate and immense forests which formed the coal deposits.

The British Isles formation was explained by Dr Clark, starting with their location in the ancient continent of Pangaea south of the equator. Scotland and England were apart in the middle of the continent. Pangea moved north and the land of Scotland and England rose and fell below the sea level with thick sediments being deposited over hundreds of millions of years.

Pangaea split up forming the Atlantic. The vast tectonic forces formed the geological faults present today in Scotland, England and the granite and lava rocks of Arran.

The latest geological techniques have been used to uncover the geology below ground level on Arran and this will be published next year in the geological map. The granite Northend seems to be a laccolith and the Southend a collapsed caldera. This is like the structure of Yellowstone Park in the USA and perhaps would have had active vents and hot springs as well as a volcano.

Dr Clark rounded off the talk by referring to Corriegills pitchstone. It would appear to be a substitute for flint in the stone age and pitchstone arrowheads have been found all over Scotland England and Ireland.

• The next meeting of the society will be on Monday May 21, at 2pm in  Brodick Hall where Hugh Watson of the Kilmarnock and District Historical Society will discuss the connections between a Kilmarnock heiress and the Duke of Portland. Prior to that that a field trip to Lochranza will take place on Saturday May 12. The secretary can be contacted on 303577 to book a place.

Dr Neil Clark, pictured with his wife Clare, entertained the Arran Historical Society members with a talk of prehistoric beasts and Arran geology. No_B18historical01

Sketch of what the 3.5 metre long Arran hand beast may have looked like. NO_B18historical02

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Note: Taste of Arran logo if required (logo)

Two Arran producers have been shortlisted for awards at the annual Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.

Arran Blue produced at the Bellevue Creamery and Arran Dairies raspberry ripple ice cream, both distributed under the Taste of Arran umbrella, have been shortlisted for awards under the dairy category and the product of the year category respectively.

Specially selected from 273 entries, the two Arran products will now compete to be announced as winners in their category at an award ceremony on Thursday June 7, at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Jimmy Warnock, chairman of The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) said: ‘RHASS is committed to rewarding excellence and actively support new and successful talent.

‘We believe the awards are a valuable, and increasingly important, event to recognise and promote the cream of Scotland’s crop.

‘It is an honour to celebrate the makers of Scotland’s finest food and drink, and also to reflect on who are, without doubt, the back bone of this sector, our farmers who work the land to nourish our nation.’

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Mark Harwood the Co-op’s member pioneer has mooted the idea of forming an autism support group on the island.

So far he has spoken to three families and three enthusiastic individuals the the next move  is to have a drop-in at the Co-zy room at the main Brodick Co-op  from 1pm to 3 pm on Sunday May 20.

Mark said: ‘I’m not proposing to lead a group, just trying to assemble interested parties to get one going.’

Also, Mark wants to make it more widely known that local people can have free use of the Co-zy room. Just ring him to arrange this on: 850577.

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