Slippery Stuff ...

Seaweed and slime are slippery stuff which is why we need to periodically clean the slipway.  Last week some volunteers carefully pressure-washed the slipway to ensure it is as safe as possible for visitors.

SNOW ON HOY TODAY

Looking at Lichens

We have so many things to enjoy at Brough Bay; some are obvious, like the waves, the flowers, the seals and the nesting fulmars. Others, though, can go unseen, though their colours and patterns give life to the rocks and stones.  These are the lichens ... splashes of yellow, orange, grey and white ... look all around you and enjoy the small things at our lovely harbour environment.

Brough Bay Association Web Site

Hi,Our updated web site is now on line

www.broughbay.org

Take a look and maybe join us.

SPRING FLOWERS AT THE HARBOUR

Seal research at Brough harbour.

At our AGM we were delighted to be given a talk about seal research in the Pentland Firth.  The purpose of the research is to monitor seal behaviour round the subsea turbines connected with the MeyGen tidal power development.
Harbour seals are caught, briefly sedated, and a tracking device attached to their fur by super glue! The device transmits a signal each time the seals surface and thus their movements can be monitored. Harbour seals were chosen in preference to Grey seals as they stay much more locally, whereas Greys can often travel as far as the coast of Denmark and Germany.
The research is being conducted by a team of environmental research scientists at St Andrews University and the members of the association were very enthusiastic about the special importance Brough Bay has in providing a safe haven to the seals.

Trying this out . Site looking really good . Moira

PEATS

March is here and the time is approaching to sharpen the tusker and cut the peats. Peat cutting has declined but some members of the Association still go to the hill each year.

Final load of the year - home and dry.

 

SEALS of BROUGH BAY & the PENTLAND FIRTH

Illustrated talk

THE SEALS OF BROUGH BAY & THE PENTLAND FIRTH

A team from the Seal Mammal Research unit at the University of St Andrews have been tagging seals from Brough Bay and following their movements through the Pentland Firth.  This is part of an investigation in to the seal population of the North Coast in relation to the MeyGen tidal turbine deployment in the Firth.

Joe Onoufriou, one of  the research team will give a talk about their work after the Brough Bay Association's AGM on the Monday 6^th March in Britannia Hall Dunnet.   The talk will focus on what the seals have been up to for the past 3 months and an overview of their behaviour in and around the Pentland Firth.   Tagged seals have been seen on the slipway at Brough Harbour.

The talk will be about 7;45pm Monday 6th March at Britannia Hall Dunnet

(After the BBA AGM which starts at 7;00 pm

A Tagged seal lying on the slipway at Brough Harbour.  photo David Glass

Interesting Breccia found in Brough Bay.

Students from Aberdeen University had a visit Brough Bay in 2016 lead by 

Professor John Parnell.

One of their many finds was this piece of rock, (breccia) from the fault zone in Brough Bay, showing mineralization by lead (galena, lead sulphide, looks shiny grey) and zinc (sphalerite, zinc sulphide, looks reddish brown).

Thanks to John Parnell for sending us the picture.

STORMY WEATHER

Rough seas at Brough Harbour this morning.

SEAL

A fine seal on the slipway, carrying a radio transmitter.

COASTGUARD PRACTICE

Members of Scrabster and Duncansby Coastguard Teams practising rescue at Brough Harbour.

HEAVY LIFT SHIP 'HAWK'

An unusual ship passing Brough today.

This is the semi submersible transport vessel ‘Hawk’  on its way from the Cromarty Firth to Broadbay in the Isle of Lewis. There it will lift the Transocean Winner rig (now refloated after running aground) and take it to Turkey to be scrapped.

CONCERT IN THE LIGHTHOUSE STORE, BROUGH BAY 17th SEPT 2016

Concert in the Lighthouse Store

With 'Horse Hair & Harmony'

Susanne Lloyd Jones - Harp     George Pain -Violin 

(there is a video to come shortly)
A great event, over 60 people attended.
Age range 4 to 98

WITH FUNDING FROM 'SPIRIT OF CAITHNESS

CONCERT at LIGHTHOUSE STORE on Saturday

                      CONCERT at LIGHTHOUSE STORE on Saturday

 

Sadly there has been a change of plan. the Campbell Duo have family illness and cannot come, 

Susanne &  George (Harp & Violin) will step in and play their St Giles' programme which they did last month, they will also include some classical songs.

So the event will go ahead, with the cakes

 

The weather forecast for Saturday is good.

 

Come and enjoy the event

 

See you there.

SLIPWAY CLEANING 6th SEPT 2016

Joe, Mick & Joanne slipway cleaning

See the difference, clean stone & concrete.  Joe with the PW


Mick & Joe operate the pressure washer.
Joanne & Eva provide the catering.



Working along the tide line as it goes out.
















Time for a break and leave a mark


 

CAMPBELLS and CAKES

Campbells and Cakes

Music in Thurso invites you to  celebrate National Chamber Music Day on Saturday September 17th at Brough.

Dundee-based duo, Hugh and Vicky Campbell (Flute and Guitar) will present an hour of music in the wonderfully atmospheric Lighthouse Store at Brough Harbour. The concert is free, with donations to Brough Bay Association, and will be at 2.30pm, followed by coffee and cake.

The event has a very personal touch for Music in Thurso's secretary, Susanne Lloyd-Jones, as she, Hugh and Vicky were fellow students at London's Trinity College, before their careers in music took different directions.

This event marks a musical prelude to Music in Thurso's main concert season which begins on Thursday 22nd September at 7.30pm with the Ruisi Quartet in Thurso West Church.

Please note that parking for Brough Bay is on the 'main road' through Brough towards Dunnet Head.  Please do not drive down to the harbour as the track is rutted and space is very limited.

Thank you.

AUTUMN COLOUR AND ART at BROUGH BAY

AUTUMN COLOUR AND ART at BROUGH BAY

Un Known Artist at work at Brough Harbour

Autum Colour from the tubs & wild flowers

Primula Scoitica in Moira's tub