Garden Open Day - 29th June 2014

Herbaceous border

Once a year the public get a fabulous opportunity to view the private terraced gardens of Dougarie Lodge, situated on the West side of the Isle of Arran.  From easily recognisable flowers to exotic rare plants there is something for everyone dotted around the terraces in nooks and crannies.  There is even a small woodland area to explore at the side of the formal top lawned area and a traditional kitchen garden.

Lily 

Black Iris

The terraces are castellated and provide shelter for more delicate plants and allow for beautiful herbaceous borders. Each terrace has a lovely lawn and a different display.

Mrs Gibbs is a very keen horticulturalist and does most of the work herself only having a few hours of help each week to maintain this massive garden.

Grevilia

Wandering around it is easy to miss some of the smaller blooms between huge displays of colour which have been trained up the stone walls and cascade over stairways. The position of the gulf stream allows for some more exotic plants to grow in this unique climate.

Steps with flower cascades

A few seats are placed to take in the view which stretches across the lawns in front of the lodge down to the river Iorsa and beyond.

Clematis & Sphaeralcea 

Marigold 

The plants bloom at different times of the year so there is always something of interest to view, although June sees some of the best displays of flowers.

Seats in little nooks

During the open afternoon cream teas are served in the Boathouse, which is a listed building not usually open to the public, and there is a small plant stall.

The gardens are open through Scotlands Open Garden scheme, between 2pm – 5pm, Sunday 29^th June.  Admission is £3.50 for adults and free for children.  Profits are divided between Pirnmill Village Association who receive 40% and the remainder goes to other beneficiaries.

Dicentra

Abutilon

 

Scabius

Aeorium

View down to the River Iorsa

 All photographs copyright of Arran in Focus

Strange Antlers on Red Deer

Antler deformities

Arran is well known for its red deer which are easily seen around  Lochranza and on the flanks of the fells when going across the Sting Road, for those who don’t want to stray off the beaten path.  The Estates and Forestry Commission on Arran take the management of deer seriously, ensuring that stocks stay healthy and numbers are maintained.



Little and large antler - asymetric so likely to be injury related.

But like any wild animal anomalies and injuries can occur, sometimes with striking results for the red deer!

Antler deformity, injury or disease?

Antlers are large, branching bony appendages on the heads of the male red deer.  Antlers are shed and re grown each year from a pedicle.  New antlers are covered with a soft skin called velvet which helps too supply nutrients to the underlying growing bone. Once the antler is fully grown the velvet is shed and the bone underneath dies becoming very hard.  It is this dead bone that is the mature antler.

Curly antlers used to be seen around Catacol believed to be genetic

The growth of the antler requires a significant amount of nutrition and is the fastest known bone growth of any mammal. Lack of nutrition or minerals may be the cause for some abnormalities.

Fractured skull around pedicle caused this one.

The antlers are fully grown and hard by the time of the rut (mating season) and they serve as fearsome weapons between battling males, and can inflict fatal injuries. Fighting may damage or break an antler but it does not cause the growth anomalies shown in these pictures.

Plain antlers without tines, likely to be genetic.

The full reasons for abnormal antlers are not fully understood although some conditions are hereditary (most likely cause for the curly antlers), and these occur year on year and genetic causes will affect both antlers. Curly antlers were once a regular feature of deer around Catacol.

Hooks at the ends of the tines in this case were thought to be caused by liver fluke

Injury to the pedicle or skull can cause a direct anomaly to the antler, and also it has been well documented that an injury to the leg can cause a deformity in the antler on the same side! Both of these display as a one sided defect.


Curly antlers

Parasites and disease such as cryptorchism and hypogonadism, are the other most likely causes, along with the previously mentioned nutrition.

A closer view of the fractured skull and resulting deformity.

More curls

All images copyright of Arran in Focus

http://www.arraninfocus.co.uk/

Pheasant - A brief overview

Pheasant cock

Pheasant are not a native bird in the UK although they have been around for a considerable time, possibly as early as the 10^th century. They are a regular sight on many country roads where they seem to forage at road edges, dicing with death, near to car wheels. They are very easy to spot along the Machrie Moor Road.

Cock with hen in the background

The main habitat of pheasant is around woodland edges, grassland and shrubby open ground, although they roost in trees of an evening and take shelter in woodlands.

Muted tones of the hen pheasant

The Estates that rear pheasant and conduct shoots take considerable care in managing the bird welfare and habitat for the birds.  This has an impact on other wildlife and a study by Game and wildlife conservation trust found this created favourable conditions for song birds and fauna.  It is the opinion of some experts that the pheasant population would collapse without the regular release of reared birds and the land management that goes with it.

Red legged partridge, also found in small numbers on Arran

The popularity of the pheasant as a game bird grew throughout the 19^th & 20^th century, overtaking the partridge. It is estimated that around 30 million pheasants are released each year. The pheasant is believed to be the most hunted bird in the world! Although commonly seen, the birds quickly recognise hunting parties and retreat to safety and hiding.

Pheasant retreating from human contact

The birds do not fly by choice, preferring to run or walk.  When they do fly, it is only for short distances and with a noisy wing sound and alarm call.

Working dog retrieving a hen pheasant

The male is known as a cock and the female a hen. The female, as with most birds, is much plainer and has a shorter tail. Young take the appearance of a female until they are around 10 weeks old when the male plumage begins to appear.

Some of a shoot 'bag'

The season for shoots in the UK is the 1^st October to the 1^st February, the birds are protected outside these months.


All photographs copyright of Arran in Focus

Tee and Tea time (not forgetting the cake)...

Lunch on the decking

It has to be said that 2013 is going to be a year that we remember and we are only just over 3 months in. The opening of the tearoom at Machrie Golf Course, is as much a harbinger of spring and the coming summer as the daffodils; so 3 foot of snow, no power or telephones was not the start they wanted.

Clearing the snow away from the tearoom and creating a parking area

Machrie Bay Tearoom is under new management this year and Claire has given it a lovely makeover with pretty tablecloths and a bright atmosphere.

Cooked to order

But let’s be honest it’s the food that counts and the fresh menu, using local produce and homemade food where possible is all cooked or prepared to order.  This may mean a little wait, but it’s worth it.

Just a selection of the cakes on offer

 The large selection of cakes, scones and tray bakes can make for difficult choices (or several visits) and these can be washed down with speciality Twinings teas, Lavazza coffee or a selection of soft drinks including Fetimans pop (proper old fashioned stuff)! But one of the favourites is the hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows on top.

Yummy hot chocolate

Since the tearoom has been open, every day has been bright and sunny so sitting out on the deck with the fabulous views over to Kintyre, makes for a perfect rest stop.

Fabulous views over to Kintyre

The golf course is now fully operational, with the snow cleared and we welcome everyone from beginners to experienced players.  Well behaved dogs can even walk around with their owners, but they are not allowed to steal opponents golf balls.

The snow has now cleared

Like the tearoom the course didn’t have a good start when we lost all the greenkeepers machinery in a fire at the beginning of the year but thats another story (read it here).

Open for business

Arran Dairy Icecream is also available

Fentimans Pop

 



Photographs courtesy of Arran in Focus.






Auchagallon Stone Circle



Auchagallon stone circle

The stone circle at Auchagallon sits south of Dougarie Lodge near the junction of the Shore Road and Machrie Moor Road.  Although it cannot be seen from the road, due to its elevated position, about 100 foot above sea level, it is well signposted.
 

Kerb stones

 It is believed to have been built in the Bronze Age (3000 – 4000 years ago / 2000BC) as a burial chamber (cist), similar to others around Arran.  Cists were stone lined chambers that housed the bodies and precious objects, sometimes with items for their ‘journey’.  The cists were covered with stones and the area defined by a stone kerb.


View over to Kintyre

The location of the circle on the edge of the ridge, with fabulous views, suggest that this may have been the burial place of some prestigious person.

Sandstone and granite

The kerb stones are mainly of red sandstone but a couple are of granite.  There is nothing to suggest this has any significance, or information as to if these are original stones. The circle is approximately 45 foot across and has about 15 stones.

Clearly shows the centre mound

The centre of the circle is now raised to a much higher level than 100 years ago, when it is documented as being quite flat and the kerb stones standing much taller.  This is because the farmers threw all the loose stones and boulders into the centre of the circle off the cultivated fields over a number of years.  These raised the level and became covered in grass, now giving the appearance of a mound.  This similar appearance can be seen in other stone circles.

Peeping out from behind a standing stone, evidence of loose stones

It is also believed that the raising of the ground level now obscures some of the original standing stones.  It is also documented that this cist was excavated in the 1800’s but there are no records of what was found – if anything. The raising of the ground level would now make any excavation more difficult. Also worthy of note is the change of spelling, from Auchnigallan (c. 1830) to Achangallon (c. 1900) to the current Auchagallon. 

Top of one of the standing stones

The Circle is easy to get to, up the zigzagging farm track, please make sure you shut the gate, so the sheep don’t escape!

   

Sign at the beginning of the track



A hasty correction to the sign!

Very triangular?

Classic red sandstone

 Photographs courtesy of Arran in Focus