Skimming Stones in Easdale by Motorhome
The Atlantic Bridge
The World Stone Skimming Championships are held every year in one of the disused quarries on Easdale Island. Contestants hail from around the world and the championships now attract over 300 participants and many spectators. The island is the smallest permanently inhabited island of the Inner Hebrides. It was once the centre of a thriving Scottish slate mining industry and one of the quarries now forms a perfect arena for the World Stone Skimming Championships. The championships are held every year.
Park the Motorhome and take part. Anyone of any age and any level of skill can enter. Each competitor is allowed 3 skims using specially selected Easdale slate skimming stones. For a skim to qualify the stone must bounce at least three times. It is then judged on the distance achieved before it sinks.
The idea of the ‘World Stone Skimming Championship’ began in 1983. It was the brainchild of Albert Baker, a canny Islander. Albert reckoned his Causeway linking both Islands would be completed by 2012.
The island is situated 16 miles south of Oban and is reached by means of a 5 minute passenger ferry journey across from Ellenabeich on the adjacent Isle of Seil which is itself connected to the mainland via the famous Bridge over the Atlantic. The ferry is called by pressing the buttons in the ferry shed on the pier at Ellenabeich.
Easdale
The World Stone Skimming Championship
The Motorhomers were having a barbecue and Josie was on the grill
But one of their number had been missing for some time;
‘Where is that wee scunner, Phemie? Josie, where will he be?
That’s two hoors noo an’ there’s nae sign o’ the wee eejit’
‘I dinnae know where he’s goat tae, Jessie. I left him in the pub
He wis talking tae yon wee con-man, Albert, the guy who runs the show
They were talking aboot a can o’ Heinz’s beans when I left’
‘Och, here he comes noo, Jessie, jist look at the state o’ him
Where’ve ye been, Francie, ye’re a’ sweaty an’ manky?’
‘Where’ve ye been, Francie, we’ve a’ been waitin’ oan ye?’
‘Where’ve ye been, Francie, I left ye wi’ Albert?’
‘Been, been, been, if any one o’ ye mentions beans again
I’ll dae my nut. Och, Phemie, I’m sorry hen, I wis helpin’ wee Albert
I lent him my haun’ tae shift some stanes doon tae the launch pad
I’m jiggered an’ hungry. I wheeled three full wheelbarras doon
He bet me a fiver that I couldnae knock a tin o’ beans aff a post
I hit the damn thing aboot a hunner times but it widnae budge
I wis determined tae knock it aff but I ran oot o’ stanes’
‘It’s a’ right for ye, Francie, look at the bliddy state o’ ye
It’s yer wee skivvy Phemie here, who’s goat tae bile yer seemit’
‘Take aff yer claes, Francie, sit doon an’ have a bite tae eat
Did ye no’ see the wee punter sittin’ at the bar drummin’
Beatin’ a drum roll wi’ thae two six-inch nails
Dae ye want beans wi’ yer sausage, Francie?’
‘Sure, Josie, sure, Josie’
