Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: phil_b on November 25, 2013

Title: Rathlin Island
Post by: phil_b on November 25, 2013
removed
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: sjh1 on November 25, 2013
Great wildlife pics! I've just started trying to do a bit of wildlife photography so am only starting to realise how difficult it is.

That's a Barnacle Goose on the rocks. Not sure of their status on Rathlin. Would think it would be slightly unusual there, the common wintering goose on east Ulster coast is the Brent. It was probably on it's way south or west. Bird Atlas 2007-11 shows no records of Barnacle Goose for that 10km square.
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: whoRya on November 25, 2013
Beautiful pics Phil.  I only set foot on Rathlin once after a long walk along the North Antrim Coast so we only made it as far as the pub, where we camped then headed home the next day.  So it's nice to see the rest of the island!
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: LandyLiam on November 25, 2013
Stunning pics, camped at the pub myself, one of my favourite campsites (put the kids to bed and sit on the veranda drinking  ;D )
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: phil_b on November 26, 2013
I'm surprised that there is no official camp sites on the island. There is actually "no camping" signs from Moyle District Council around the harbour.

Interesting info on the goose, glad I spotted it now.
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: Rich.H on December 02, 2013
Does the ferry need to be booked or can you simply turn up and buy a ticket?
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: LandyLiam on December 02, 2013
According to the website booking is recommended, it was certailnley packed when i was there.
http://www.rathlinballycastleferry.com/tr/index.php?id=17

and here's some info on the islands walks
http://www.walkni.com/news/851/rathlin-ready-for-walkers/
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: phil_b on December 02, 2013
Yes, you are safer booking. In the summer it can be booked up and in the winter when it is occasionally cancelled due to weather, they will ring you to inform you to save you travelling if you have booked and they have your number.
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: phil_b on January 14, 2014
I think I am heading over here again some time next week for a day to walk the other half of the island. If anyone wants to join me let me know and we can try to arrange a day to suit.
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: LandyLiam on January 15, 2014
I fancy getting back there too, must admit I would prefer the summer though, wouldn't want to get stuck overnight if the ferry got cancelled. But I could possibly go Friday 24th.
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: RedLeader on January 15, 2014
I've still never been to Rathlin but I'm in the same boat, I'd want to go in the summer when the weather's nice. You can camp over there too I think.
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: sjh1 on January 16, 2014
I've still never been to Rathlin but I'm in the same boat, I'd want to go in the summer when the weather's nice. You can camp over there too I think.

You can camp about 100 yards north of the pub at a great wee spot right on the shore. Might actually be a few hundred yards from the pub, but it's not far, hard to remember exactly ;)
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: RedLeader on January 16, 2014
I feel a nights camping coming on.

I've still never been to Rathlin but I'm in the same boat, I'd want to go in the summer when the weather's nice. You can camp over there too I think.

You can camp about 100 yards north of the pub at a great wee spot right on the shore. Might actually be a few hundred yards from the pub, but it's not far, hard to remember exactly ;)
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: sjh1 on January 16, 2014
... come to think of it the camp site is actually south of the pub! Somewhere on the shoreline at Church Bay/Mill Bay anyway as marked on OS map 05.
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: phil_b on September 19, 2014
I got out to Rathlin Island a couple of weeks ago and walked the other half of the island from the East Lighthouse anti clockwise past the west lighthouse and back to the harbour on the cliff tops the whole way. Few photos here, the first ones are the most recent https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/philblair/sets/72157637964287203/
Title: Re: Rathlin Island
Post by: whoRya on September 19, 2014
Loved the photos Phil.  There is a picture of the wee fella behind the camera, that is some serious looking camera gear - makes me laugh when I'm thinking of my wee point-and-click camera!