People – The Coig

Elliot Melton - shire

Learning and Access Assistant

Hi my name is Elliot Melton, I’ve been living in Irvine since I was ten. Having grown up in Dreghorn and attending local schools in the area (Fencedyke Primary and Greenwood Academy), I went on to pursue my further education at James Watt College in engineering and electrical systems. Following on from college I began volunteering at the Scottish Maritime Museum were I was awarded the Saltire Award for over 500 hours of volunteering, which was before I became a member of staff and where I’ve been working since 2013. I’ve had two positions in the Museum one as Visitor Services Assistant and my other roll in which I have just finished was as a learning and access trainee in partnership with MGS (Museum Gallery’s Scotland) as part of their award winning “Skills for Successes Program”.

Recommendations

Scottish Maritime Museum: 1920s styled Tenament Flat that was built in 1907 for the sawmill workers of the Beckingridge sawmill in Irvine. 1872 MV Kyles, a coaster vessel, that used to serve on the coast of the UK acting as delivery van of the seas. The Museum’s Fitting Shed, which has the Sandchime Tug engine that allows you to view the inner workings of a triple expansion engine, seeing how it all fits and works together.

Scottish Maritime Museum

Scottish Maritime Museum, 1920's Tenement Flat

Gillian Craig

The Coig's Official Walking Ambassador

Having lived in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire for most of my life, I am a huge advocate for Ayrshire as an outdoors destination. I am the owner of the gillianswalks.com and associated Facebook page. I aim to inspire others to explore the area around them on foot and experience the mental and physical health benefits that time outdoors can bring. My website has become the go-to resource for anyone looking to explore Ayrshire on foot. I am an experienced Walk Leader and throughout the summer can be found leading walks at local walking festivals, including Valley Walkfest, Clyde Muirshiel Walking Festival and Kilmaurs Walking Festival. My “day job” is in Active Travel where, as a certified Walk Leader, Ride Leader and Cycle Trainer, I work to enable more people to choose walking or cycling as a way of travelling around. I am also a proud member of the Ayrshire Coastal Path Management Team, with responsibility for marketing and fundraising and was delighted to be awarded the Community Path Volunteer of the Year award in 2019 from Paths For All for my work on the Coastal Path. Before all that I studied International Management Studies at the University of Stirling and thanks to some time spent abroad as part of my course (as well as a bi-lingual husband!) I am fluent in French. I didn’t know it at the time, but my love for the outdoors was being instilled at a young age with my parents taking me on long hikes in the Scottish hills every weekend: Ben Nevis was conquered at the age of 6! Now with two young sons of my own, I aspire to plant that same seed in them (if only I could prise them off their games consoles for long enough...)

Recommendations

AYRSHIRE COASTAL PATH: DUNURE TO AYR The Ayrshire Coastal Path is a fully way-marked 100 mile linear route, managed and maintained by a group of local volunteers. The 7 mile stretch between Dunure and Ayr is an incredible walk along one of the most rugged sections of the coastline. Do you like Scottish castles? The remains of both Dunure and Greenan castles can be found on this route, and the views from both will take your breath away. You will experience varied terrain including sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, grassy farmland and even a disused railway. Prepare yourself for a unique sense of remoteness.

Dunure Castle

James McKinlay - shiel

Tour Operator & Professional Photographer

James is an experienced and knowledgeable tour guide who worked in tourism while living and travelling in New Zealand for 5 years. After 8 years travelling the world he returned home to Scotland to continue his excellent services in sightseeing, history and culture. In addition to guiding tours, James is an award winning photographer and loves to get outdoors to photograph our stunning Scottish landscapes.

Recommendations

Come and join Alba Experiences and get your boots on and cameras at the ready and join our experienced guide as we take you through Scotland’s beautiful landscapes and historical sites. Our friendly private tours of Scotland take you beyond the guidebooks and off the beaten track with a driver-guide who tells you historical tales about local legends and introduces you to Scottish music and Celtic culture. Choose from our selection of tours and Greenock Shore Excursions and enjoy Scotland’s most iconic landmarks such as Burns Cottage, The isle of Arran ,Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Stirling Castle and many more Isle of Arran: Experience Scotland in miniature and discover the nature, castles and standing stones which makes this little island so unique. Robert Burns Country: Discover the birth place of Robert Burns and listen to his famous songs and poems which have made him Scotland's national poet. The Ayrshire Landscapes: Enjoy visiting the Ayrshire landscapes and discovering the hidden gems that this area of Scotland has to offer.

Alba Experiences

Kay Hall - shiel

West Kilbride - Craft Town Scotland

Kay has lived and worked in the lively village of West Kilbride for over 40 years. Since retiring from a local school, she has volunteered for the West Kilbride Community Initiative. Along with many other enthusiastic members of the community, Kay has helped transform West Kilbride village into the only Craft Town in Scotland.

Recommendations

The Barony Centre in West Kilbride is one of the best exhibition galleries in the west of Scotland. It has an award-winning cafe offering delicious coffee and cakes. The gallery shop sells a range of work by local and national artists and makers, there are wonderful gifts to buy. Visit West Kilbride village centre for delightful shops, cafes, museum and nine craft studios. Wander though Kirktonhall Glen where pathways run alongside the burn and every season offers something different. Drive to Portencross Castle for a story of the past and breath-taking views. Wander along the coastal pathway and enjoy the sea air. Craft Town Scotland has so much to offer everyone. Please come and see us on your adventures around The Coig's Shiel route!

Craft Town Scotland

Kirktonhall Glen

Louisa Davidson - bute

Mount Stuart Trust

Hi, my name is Louisa Davidson and I live and work on the beautiful Isle of Bute. Having been born and raised on the Island I am extremely proud to be able to call myself a ‘Brandane’, a term which originates from the patron saint of Bute, St. Brendan. At 17 I was itching to experience the bright lights of the city and moved to Glasgow to attend university. Indulging my love of travel I then spent time in New York, Gloucester and Coventry yet Bute always remained home. City living certainly had its perks, yet I yearned for Bute’s fresh sea air, strong sense of community and breathtaking coastal scenery. When a position became available at Mount Stuart Trust I leapt at the chance to join the team and I’ve been here for five years now. My role as Visitor Experience Manager at Mount Stuart is to oversee the day to day operation of the visitor attraction. I ensure that visitors enjoy an outstanding experience whether they are touring the house, dining at Bute Kitchen or simply enjoying a walk in the gardens.

Recommendations

Scalpsie Bay is a stunning stretch of unspoilt beach. Swim in the crystal clear waters and enjoy dramatic views of Arran. Look out for the resident seal colony basking on the rocks. Mount Stuart is the ancestral home of the Marquesses of Bute, Mount Stuart is a great day out for all the family.

Scalpsie Bay

Mount Stuart House

Sheila Gilmore - arran

VisitArran & The Arran Trust

I was born and raised on Arran, and my family have been on the island since 1935. Originally from Brodick, I now live in Shiskine and consider myself a true Arranach. I’m passionate about our wonderful island, and want to share the real Arran experience with everyone who can appreciate our stunning island’s natural beauty. I’m very involved in various community groups, and see my involvement with these complimenting the work that VisitArran carries out – if it’s good for the community, it’s good for the residents and the visitor too! Apart from my lovely family, of which there’s many (spit on one, and you spit on us all…!), my passions are acting and producing drama, walking, downhill skiing, travel and chocolate – though not necessarily in that order! I am responsible for the day to day operation of VisitArran, our lovely island’s not-for-profit destination management organisation. This can involve everything from meeting with local businesses, to speaking at the Scottish Parliament, to cleaning the information leaflets on MV Caledonain Isles!

Recommendations

Glen Rosa, just west of Brodick – this is such a beautiful glen and is an ideal access to some of the higher peaks. Stunning! Blackwaterfoot Beach, at Blackwaterfoot – especially when the tide’s out. You can also carry on right round past Drumadoon Point to Kings Caves using the path through the boulder fields. Real local events – check out the Arran Banner (our local paper) for their What’s On and visit a local craft fair, a concert, or a church coffee morning, for some real Arran hospitality!