Rathlin Island

[phil_b]

removed

[sjh1]

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.

[whoRya]

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!

[LandyLiam]

Stunning pics, camped at the pub myself, one of my favourite campsites (put the kids to bed and sit on the veranda drinking  )

[phil_b]

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.

[Rich.H]

Does the ferry need to be booked or can you simply turn up and buy a ticket?

[LandyLiam]

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/

[phil_b]

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.

[phil_b]

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.

[LandyLiam]

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.

[RedLeader]

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.

[sjh1]

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

[RedLeader]

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

[sjh1]

... 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.

[phil_b]

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/