Breakfast with squirrels

We had to be up really early to make our way to Brodick castle to have breakfast with the Red Squirrels. 
A wonderful, colourful sunrise before we left and we arrived in plenty of time. The Arran Rangers met us and we went into  the viewing room. Lots of birds already present at the feeder. Eventually this little fellow came  along. You make think he looks abit like he's having a bad hair day but the Rangers and researchers from Edinburgh Uni have been taking DNA samples from the tail and ear tufts as well as blood samples. The squirrels were captured, anaesthetised and the samples taken and then set free in the same place they were caught.
He stayed for a while and then off up a tree and disappeared out of sight.
We enjoyed sausage in a roll and a cup of tea while finding out lots of info about the red squirrels. As there are few predators on Arran ,mainly the feral cats or Golden Eagles a healthy population is now present.
After the other family had left and the noise level went down another squirrel made a quick visit.
We then had a look around Brodick including the chocolate shop where we bought some Chocolate squirrels, Arran Aromatics and the Brewery, pottery and craft shops.
We drove across the Island, looked at some standing stones before driving back across the mountains to Lamlash. Beautiful views and we saw male and female hen harriers and a couple of hares.
We had fish and chips from Coast and then went for a walk at Kildonan where we saw lots of seals on the rocks. Great views over to Pladda and Ailsa Craig.