Artiness and Craftiness

For appreciators of arts and craft there was plenty on offer over the weekend.  Bute open studios trail allowed visitors to talk to 32 local artists, view their work and in some cases get involved with demonstrations.
Artists opened their studios around the island with information and directions to all the venues widely available.
Unfortunately due to other commitments I didn't manage to any of the studios this year but as a big supporter of talented designers and makers I hope this event will continue to grow.
Meanwhile another craft revolution was taking place around Rothesay town centre and if you were out and about it was impossible to miss the woollen clad lamp posts, railings, shops and even the Zavaroni ice cream had a makeover!

Zavaroni ice cream

Until a few weeks ago yarn bombing wasn't a term I was too familiar with.  Spotting a bicycle wearing a jumper in Tallinn, Estonia a couple of years ago and a recent article on the granny knitting mafia were my only clues that an underground craft scene was quietly taking hold.

It must get cold in Estonia if the bicycles need jumpers

Thanks to textile artist Angharad McLaren, Rothesay became the latest town to be 'graffited' by some colourful creations.
I must admit when I first read the article about the project I was a little skeptical, imagining a few pieces of wool sadly hanging from the town square trees. When I actually Googled 'yarn bombing' (also known as yarn storming, guerrilla knitting, urban knitting or graffiti knitting, thanks Wiki!!) I realised how wrong I was.
Image after image appeared of colourful, quirky, fun and beautiful designs decorating everything from phone boxes, staircases, bridges, trees and even a tank!
Intrigued as to what the Bute mafia knitters had created I headed into town to spy the woolly artwork around Guildford Square.  Some pieces were obvious but I loved the fact that other pieces were more subtle and fun to stumble upon.

As I was taking some photos I met the lovely Angharad who explained a bit about the project, she was even kind enough to pose for me!  With local knitters and schoolchildren creating little works of art and some late night/early hours designing, the project came together in time for the Saturday launch.

The lovely Angharad

This was a great addition to festivities and a talking point around town on a very busy weekend. With the amount of visitors taking photographs I'm sure the word of the Bute knitting revolution has already spread far and wide! Most of all it shows that with a little imagination, community contribution and support the place we live in can be that bit more fun and colourful.

If you enjoy travel, adventure and visiting Bute, I have a new twitter account with lots of tips, photos and updates on new blog posts, follow me at Buteiful Bute@SFArbuckle, thanks!

Viking Invasion

There was a real buzz about the island this weekend, with a Viking invasion, art and craft studio trail and some colourful woolly treasures appearing around Rothesay there was no shortage of things to do.
The weather was fantastic on Costa Clyde, especially on Saturday when it was definite t shirt temperature and this helped bring out the crowds determined to enjoy the fun and sunshine.
With so much happening I've decided to do 2 blog posts to cover all the weekends goings on, firstly I just have to tackle those pesky Vikings!
Saturday afternoon saw the start of the well publicised and much anticipated Land and Sea event, commemorating 750 years of the Battle of Largs. I joined the large crowd of locals and tourists lining the promenade eagerly waiting for the 'invading' longboat to appear on the horizon, ready to fend off the imminent attack.  When the tiny white sail did appear it didn't actually seem that threatening, especially as it was dwarfed by the huge CalMac ferry!

Excited crowd lines the promenade

Not quite so intimidating next to the ferry!

750 years on and the Norsemen and women were met with a much more civilised and friendly welcome. The invaders then walked in procession to 'attack' the castle which was defended by some fiercesome local schoolchildren before a day of fun and games in the grounds.

Preparing to attack

Unfortunately the free entry meant that by the time I had walked up there was a large crowd queuing to get in to the castle so I decided to stalk some Vikings around town instead!  From the feedback I've heard everyone that did get in had a great time.

Viking tourist

Later in the evening I rejoined the crowds as the schoolchildren and torch bearing Vikings made their way from the castle to the promenade where everyone celebrated the end of a fantastic day with a pipeband, hog roast (delicious!) and some impressive fireworks.

This is the kind of event that Bute needs more of, it was well organised, well publicised and offered an entertaining day for both tourists and locals.  Above all it captured the imagination and left everyone I saw from young to old with a smile on their face, fantastic!

The promenade still buzzing at night

Fireworks were the perfect end to the day

Feathery Antics

I have always given myself a pat on the back for being able to identify more than your basic species of bird. Many people get as far as pigeon (aka rats with wings), crow (aka big black noisy bird) and seagull (aka seaside rat with wings/chip thief) before losing interest in our feathered friends.

Having lived in the city and spent much time in the country I have built up a small amount of knowledge when it comes to inland bird identification.  Moving to an island and living next to the water has thrown up a whole load of new avian questions, the variety of gulls alone has left me confused.  Yes, there is more than the one type of seagull and they don't all want to steal your chips.

Why bother?  Well firstly I think it's important to have a bit of knowledge about the wildlife that is on your doorstep and shares your surroundings.  As humans we sometimes get wrapped up in our own superiority, our commutes, gadgets, money, everyday problems and often forget how beautiful and important our natural environment is.
Secondly, well I personally find watching wildlife very entertaining, the expressions, the courting, the cute babies, the hardships, the changing seasons, the violence, watching wildlife is more dramatic than any soap opera and more authentic than any reality tv.

Bute really has a bounty of wildlife and the bird population is no exception.  Always wanting to expand my knowledge I set out for the local bookshop to search for something a bit more comprehensive that would enhance my handy little bird bible that I normally refer to.
I was not disappointed in finding an amazing local reference book which surpassed my expectations.  The Birds of Bute provides not only up to date information on the birds found on the island, there are also some lovely photographs.

My current bird bibles, the book on the right, Birds of the British Isles is a great book for beginners with nice clear photographs.

Greylag geese flying over St Ninian's point

The great thing about bird watching is that you don't have to walk far or need any special equipment to view a whole spectrum of sizes, shapes and colours and witness graceful and daring acrobatic and aquatic displays. 

On a short stroll along the waterfront at Port Bannatyne I came across a few characters that kept me amused for a while, especially a couple of comical redshanks, running around crazily on their gangly red legs. 

I managed to take a few snaps but unfortunately my camera lens could not zoom any closer, something I intend to rectify!

Oystercatchers huddled and chattering along the shoreline

A cormorant contemplating life

A curlew and a redshank casually strolling and pecking along

Later in the evening and this time a stroll along the promenade in Rothesay revealed a couple of herons down for their night time fishing with the twit-twoo of a tawny owl echoing from the nearby woods.  These are just a small selection of birds that I've spotted since arriving here and everyday I'm coming across new and interesting winged neighbours, some permanent residents, others seasonal visitors, all with their own quirky personalities and tales to tell.

For those that take their ornithology a bit more seriously there are four bird hides on Bute and a comprehensive website with up to date sightings and blog run by The Bute Bird Group. 

With over 200 species having been sighted on Bute I intend to slowly digest my new guide with a cup of tea in hand and add to my small but growing bird knowledge.  First on my list are the 9 types of gull that have been observed on the island, only so I can spot the chip thieves before they snatch my fish supper (Scottish for fish and chips)...

Transition

tran·si·tion (trn-zshn, -ssh-)

n.

Passage from one form, state, style, or place to another.  In my case from Glasgow to the Isle of Bute!

After almost 40 years living and breathing the same busy city life, the chance of moving and laying down fresh quiet island roots was too good an opportunity to pass up.

Having always enjoyed the adventure of world travel and exploring new exotic places, the chance to sample a different way of living on my own doorstep is a dream come true.

Rewind a month and the handing over of keys to our seafront flat ensured that myself, my husband and our chilled out pup had a cozy island den to start our new life in.

Fast forward a month and I can't believe how quickly time has passed. with many of those hours spent gazing out our windows at passing sailing boats, the coming and goings of the island ferry and general people watching and daydreaming.  I've pinched myself many times as I've padded along the beach, happy dog in tow, watching the sunsets and sunrises, the waves lapping in and out and gazing into the crystal clear water with billowing seaweed and bobbing jellyfish below.

Despite the Isle of Bute never being a place I had thought of moving to, now I'm here I already feel at home. Yes, there are things that need improving and faded buildings that need uplifting but the natural beauty and friendliness of everyone I've met so far overshadow any blemishes. 

Now that I have internet connection I can finally start charting the charms and quirks of island life and hopefully convincing some of you to visit and experience this beautiful place for yourself, perhaps even sharing your own Buteiful adventures.

And so my period of transition is starting to come to an end and new beginnings unfold...