On Tuesday 23rd July 2024 Janette and I visited (for the first time) the small island of Rathlin, just off the north coast of County Antrim. Rathlin is the only inhabited island on the coast of Northern Ireland, with a population of around 150, although it is reported that the population is steadily growing. I can understand why. We were quite taken with its tranquility, and its peacefulness. The island is very community focused, and a graphic near the Co-op lists the values that mark the community, – seeking to make Rathlin a welcoming place for everyone.
Millport, on the little Isle of Cumbrae has a hidden gem – hidden because the Cathedral of the Isles can be really hard to find, buried behind a forest of mature trees, and, at least from that angle, approached by a steep path and steps. But it is a worthwhile walk.
The Isle of Cumbrae is just a very short ferry crossing from Largs in North Ayrshire. It’s well worth the trip, if you have a day to spare, and you’re in the area.
Garrison House, Millport
We visited in mid May, 2024, when the weather had been very changeable, one day rainy, the next sunny… But our day in Millport, the town of Cumbrae was a lovely day, warm and some decent sunshine. Here’s some images, made with the Fujifilm X-T5, and the manual focus 7Artisans 35mm f1.8 lens.
A short visit to Luss, a conservation village on the banks of Loch Lomond, on a miserable wet day in May, 2024. The village is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, due to its beauty, its quaintness and of course, its association with the ITV drama series, ‘Take the High Road.’ On the day we visited it was swarming with people, strolling through the streets, taking the boat tour of the loch, and visiting the various tourist outlets and eating in the cafes.
All sorts of people can be found along the glorious length of Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow. A recent stroll along the street in the rain, with the Fujifilm X-T5 and a 35mm f/1.8 lens produce little in the way of decent images, but I thought life in the rain might be best illustrated by these two images…
This elderly gentleman, handing out his leaflets in the pouring rain, while engaging in conversation with a passerby, – studiously avoided by others! A littler further up the street these workers under the ‘life’ sign were having lunch al fresco…
No, it’s not Paris, it’s Edinburgh, the Paris of the North! Back again to 2004, and the Continental Market on the streets of Scotland’s capital. This French Market Stall is doing what the French seem to do best – export their wine!
Portraits2Go.co.uk 