Old photograph of Ailsa Craig, an island in the outer Firth of Clyde, in South Ayrshire, Scotland. The now uninhabited island is formed from the volcanic plug of an extinct volcano. The only surviving buildings on the island are the lighthouse on its east coast facing the Scottish mainland, a ruined tower house, that was built by Clan Hamilton to protect the area from King Felipe II of Spain in the 16th century and the old quarry manager's cottage. The Steamship Pennnon loaded with Iron Ore, bound from Duddon, England, to Glasgow was stranded on the South West corner of Ailsa Craig on 23 Jan 1889, the crew of 11 all were saved. Research has shown that the granite on Ailsa Craig has an unusual crystalline composition that has a distinctive appearance but a uniform hardness. These properties have made the island's rock a favourite material for curling stones.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
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