Easdale lies about 200 metres off
the Island of Seil, which itself is connected to the mainland by the 200
year-old Clachan Bridge, the "Bridge over the Atlantic".
The island has had a colourful history.
Between the 17th and 20th centuries it
was an important centre for slate quarrying and had as many as seven working
quarries, some being 300 feet below sea level. Together with other quarries on the
neighbouring islands of Seil, Luing and Belnahua, the island gave its name to
the famous Easdale Slate which was exported to Glasgow , Ireland
One
of the disused quarries now forms the perfect arena for the annual World Stone
Skimming Championships, which are held in September. An assortment of prizes is awarded to
competitors, in particular ‘The Bertie’,
named after the event's founder, presented to the Easdale Islander who skims
the furthest and 'The Old Tosser Walking Stick', for contestants over 60 with
the longest skim. The real champions can
hit the back wall of the quarry with ease.
We
visited the site in July and had great fun perfecting our skimming techniques
(some more successfully than others!).
Nevertheless, it was agreed that with a bit more practice ‘Team
Moonshadow’ might be a real contender in 2014. For more information on Easdale Island
