After lunch we set off across the south entrance of Lamlash Bay towards the
Inner Light on Holy Island. The island is now owned by Buddhist monks who have built an increasing number of meditation retreats on the south facing slope above the lighthouse.
The lighthouse buildings are also used for lesser retreats and at the other end of the island they have built a commercial hotel for those that wish to experience Buddhism lite.
Sailing as close to the wind as possible, Mike just managed to squeeze round the south end of the island where...
...we passed under the stony gaze of this gorilla with its eyes fixed out to sea. It seemed lost in meditation as it somewhat ignored our passing.
We now came to
Holy Island's Outer Light...
...which is also used for meditation.
Only the wild ponies disturb the meditation of devotees who may spend several years at a time in isolation here.
As other Scottish lighthouses such as
Turnberry* are gradually being extinguished, it is good to know that some are being put to alternative use.
*The iconic
Turnberry lighthouse is due to be switched off by the Northern Lighthouse Board in 2015.
They are also replacing lighthouses here Douglas with steel towers. The powers that be have lost their sense of romanticism.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful last picture!
Tony :-)
Tank you Tony, that last picture was a fantastic end to a great day.
DeleteIt' such a shame that the lights are slowly being switched off.
As someone who has spent 30 plus years at sea, it just seems such a loss to extinguish the lights. I understand all the arguments about the suite of tools available to the modern navigator, but the "Mark One Eyeball" remains the best of all, and a lighthouse on a dark and gnarly night offers so much more than a navigational point. I must be getting old.... :o)
ReplyDeleteReally enjoying this series Douglas - really must do this trip
Kind Regards
Thanks for your perspective as a seaman Ian, quite different from the perspective of an accountant.
DeleteWe will do the Arran trip again Ian, Phil missed out too!