A lifetime of Islands: Island 182 - Holy Island, Arran, Scotland

This delightful and peaceful island lies to the east of Arran, approximately 1.5 miles to the east of Lamlash. It is 2 miles long by half a mile or so wide, depending on where you measure it.

I visited for a couple of hours in early September 2012. I had hoped to visit the previous day and spend longer there but the boats were cancelled due to high winds. On the day I visited the time of low tide meant that the first boat did not run until 11.30 am. I had booked the Ardrossan ferry for 5pm, which I didn't want to miss, so played it safe and left on the 2.15 pm boat from Holy Island. I walked very fast and made it as far as the Pillar Rock Lighthouse and still had a bit of time to spend wandering around the community garden and the north end of the island.

In 1992 Holy Island was bought by the Rokpa Trust whose main base in the UK is the Samye Ling Monastery and Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Dumfries and Galloway. On their leaflet they describe themselves as custodians of the island rather than owners, which is true as none of us will be on this earth for ever. At the north end of the island is the Centre for World Peace and Health, which offers various courses and guesthouse accommodation for people seeking a quiet retreat.

Holy Island can be accessed in the summer months by passenger ferry from Lamlash. The journey across takes about 15 minutes.

Visitors are asked to observe the following rules:
Protect all life and refrain from killing
Do not smoke, drink alcohol, camp or light fires on the island
Do not bring dogs or bicycles onto the island.

Soay sheep, wild Saanen goats and Eriskay ponies roam free around the island. When I visited the Soay sheep were around the guesthouse, the goats were on the west coast and the ponies were at the south end of the island. I can't remember if there are any gates separating them.

Since 1992 the Buddhists have planted 35,000 native trees in 3 plantations - 2 in the south of the island and a bigger one in the north. They have also chopped down lots of invasive rhododendrons.

There is a clear flat path down the west coast of the island. It curves round at the southern end and ends at the Pillar Rock Lighthouse on the south east coast. There is no path up the east coast. The highest point on the island is Mullach Mor at 314 metres. There is a path over the top but I was limited for time, so didn't use it.

Holy Island ferry at Lamlash

Holy Island from Lamlash

Boathouse Information Centre
Day visitors are offered a complimentary tea or coffee (but no cake or biscuits) but when I visited the hostess wasn't at home, so I missed out.
There are seats inside and a few Buddhist items for sale.

St Molaise's Cave half way down the west coast
St Molaise is supposed to have lived in this cave as a hermit in the 6th century.

Stupas

Not sure what these flags and pillars are all about but they make the place look cheerful.

Retreat House from the kitchen garden

Community Garden
There are inspirational quotes and verses and Buddhist paintings scattered around the garden, which is a sheltered and peaceful spot.

Centre for World Peace and Health -
60 bed guesthouse and conference hall for courses and retreats

A hobbit house? - south end of the island

Buddhist rock painting - west coast

Buddhist rock painting

More painting on rocks - west coast

Pillar Rock Lighthouse -
south east corner of island

Pillar Rock Lighthouse

Lighthouse at the south west corner of the island
This is out of bounds to visitors, as it is currently in use as a long term (4 year!) retreat. That's a lot of time to think!