I have visited Ailsa Craig on three occasions.

The first of these was in June 1976 and was the only occasion when I landed on the island. I was with my father and members of the Hunterston Hill Walking Club. My father was then about the same age as I am now and he only just made it to the top. Monitoring of the movements of an oil rig passing down the firth was going on from the summit.

The second occasion was in May of 2004, when I circumnavigated Ailsa Craig in the Waverley. The weather was fine and good for photography.

The latest occasion was in July of 2010, with members of the Hunterston Hill Walking Club. Unfortunately the weather was too rough to land and was deteriorating throughout the day. We arrrived back in Girvan thoroughly soaked and miserable!