After a short celebratory break it was time to leave the beautiful island of Arran which is sometimes called “Scotland in miniature” due to its very varied landscape.  As the ferry sailed across to Ardrossan we were rewarded with views of some of the mountains with snow visible above the forests. In the distance near the quay, the long Red Princess can be seen being loaded with huge logs.   Originally it was used as a landing craft in Greece then converted for transporting bulk timber to a sawmill in Troon for construction, fencing, paper and biomass.  It is able to access remote areas in the west of Scotland where there is no pier or jetty and poor road infrastructure.  While Arran does have a very good pier the use of the boat means that timber from the vast forests can easily be sent to the mainland with fewer lorry miles and reduced carbon emissions.  It was very interesting watching the boats and tracking their movements on the web, especially of two which continually seemed to go up and down the Clyde before anchoring for two nights at Brodick.  Presumably the Type 23 Frigate HMS Westminster and the impressive huge 200m long RFA Tidespring were involved in sea exercises.  The frigate has left now but Tidespring is still there after another day of sailing around the Clyde.