Port Ellen
Isle of Islay
Scotland

Image Story:


Its spring but here it is still cold during the early morning as the sun rises, struggling to find its way through the cloud.


This is the beautiful 'wee bay' of the village of Port Ellen.


St Peters Church dominates the East side of the bay. Some early morning lights are being switched on in the windows of characteristic white-washed terraced houses and cottages and a rowing boat is moored in front of me.

This used to be a thriving fishing village till politics played its hand resulting in over-fishing of the Atlantic waters and drastically reduced numbers of fish. Only a few fishing boats remain.


Care of the environment seems to be much more part of every ones life in these parts - probably because there is a limited population of just over 2000 and the fact that they are on an island that depends largely on the tourist industry.


Whatever it is, the fact that there is a pulpable caring for the place in the people that live here, is wonderful to see.


Geese, during their stop-overs on the island, are counted by volunteers, to assist the monitoring of migratory pathways and bird behaviour.


Plastic litter and other jetsam and flotsam are continually washed up on the shores but are cleared by local volunteers.


The Island boasts a unique, pure red deer population that is carefully managed so that the strongest survive and continue to breed a healthy herd.


This Deer Management Group places quotas on shooting deer on the estates each year. All the information is collated and discussed at annual meetings - there is a successful working system in place.