These enormous slightly oval pale straw-colored globes are sweet, mildly pungent and store but a short while. [20], In 1590 the shipping of the Clyde was disrupted by pirates who were said to be Highlanders, quha lyis about Ailsay.[35]. Other pollinators, Toxic to Storage Potential: 1 month Days to Harvest: 95 Also known as Kelsae Sweet Giant and Exhibition Impress your neighbors and try growing a record-sized onion! Ailsa Craig is a very popular favourite which is a tried and tested variety renowned for its flavour. It is still considered to be one of the finest varieties. The now-uninhabited island is formed from a magmatic pluton formed during the same period of igneous activity as magmatic rocks on the nearby Isle of Arran.[7]. A shocking death was that of a lad from Girvan who was sitting amongst loose rocks, pulling out stones and throwing them into the sea when a very large boulder started to move and crushed him. The castle has two vaulted storeys and an oven is located in a cellar with evidence of a spiral stairway that once ran to the top of the tower. However, the main developer died, and the project was abandoned, with the area used instead as a walled kitchen garden until the gasworks was built. The stone was too heavy to shift and help from the mainland was required to extract the body of the unfortunate victim. For other uses, see, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, "Map of Scotland in Scots - Guide and gazetteer", "Appendix 2: Population and households on Scotland's Inhabited Islands", Statistical Bulletin: 2011 Census: First Results on Population and Household Estimates for Scotland Release 1C (Part Two), "Geology, petrology and geochemistry of Ailsa Craig, Ayrshire", "Ailsa Craig: Asking price reduced in Irish Sea island sale", "Ailsa Craig island in Firth of Clyde put up for sale", "Ailsa Craig, granite jewel of the Firth of Clyde, finally finds a buyer", https://www.ayradvertiser.com/news/18551172.mauchline-firms-plans-extract-rock-ailsa-craig-submitted-council/, https://www.transceltic.com/blog/plans-submitted-extract-granite-scotlands-ailsa-craig, Northern Lighthouse Board – Automation of lighthouse, "Sochi 2014: 10 things you didn't know about curling", "RSPB stress importance of Ailsa Craig, but are not in negotiations to purchase iconic landmark", http://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/ailsa-rock/, Index computer generated virtual panoramas, Ailsa Craig, 1868 at the Historical Society of Philadelphia, Kyle and Carrick local government district, Marquesses of Ailsa and their predecessors, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ailsa_Craig&oldid=997595046, Mountains and hills of the Scottish islands, Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Cumnock and Kyle, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserves in Scotland, Articles with dead external links from November 2016, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2004, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Mrs Margaret Girvan ran a tearoom[29] in a wooden building that stood next to the tacksman's cottage,[30] famed for its pristine white table cloths and fresh scones. Two substantial foghorns with concrete housings were built in 1866, one at the north end of the island near the Swine Cave reached by 'the Loups' path[51] and the other at East Trammins on the south end. Butterflies/Moths, Does not attract Height: 200cm (79"). [2][6] The first element, Aillse may represent Allt Shasann, "cliff of the English", mentioned in the Book of Leinster as Aldasain.[10][11]. We can grow most things because of the heat and humidity but insect infestation can be problematic. [5] The island is part of the administrative district of South Ayrshire, in the ancient parish of Dailly. Height: Width: Depth: This well known gardener's favourite produces medium sized tomatoes with a uniform size and shape and an excellent deep colour. Sow up to 100 seeds in a 4-6 inch pot. Every year that we grow it we reaffirm that Ailsa Craig is the biggest, the earliest, and the best. 3637 E-mail: [email protected] Charitable Registration # 87137-5721 RR0001 Color is a snow-white, centers are bullâs eye single, tops are vigorous, and the flavor is very sweet. Photographs taken in the late 19th century show the horse-drawn wagons passing in front of the lighthouse and portray the substantial railway incline and storage area. Wagons or bogies were winched up to the substantial stone crusher and gravity was used to deliver the different grades of road stone to the waggons below that were then hauled by horses to the Quarry Pier via a line that ran in front of the lighthouse buildings and took a tight right-angled bend to run up the substantial stone-built incline to the storage area in preparation for delivery via sea to the mainland. In the past, most curling stones were made from Blue Hone but the quarry is restricted by environmental conditions that exclude blasting. The Ailsa Craig Granite Company was never a financially sound business and effectively closed in 1928. [58] Curb stones and stone railway sleepers for sections of the Scotch gauge horse-drawn railway from Ardrossan to Doura were also produced. Named after Ailsa, a small round island off the coast of Scotland that is solid rock. Barclay thereafter deliberately drowned himself in the sea[41] or did so accidentally whilst trying to escape. In a small glen above Ailsa Castle, a small freshwater body known as the Garry Loch is located at an altitude of 247 metres (810 ft),[73] with a depth of at least 17 feet.[74]. Ailsa Craig produced two types of granite for curling, Blue Hone and Ailsa Craig Common Green. More details below. [63], Sea eagles or erne nested at the Bare Stack until 1881 when the tenant shot the last specimen, which is preserved at Culzean Castle. [19][50] Ailsa Craig and its lighthouse feature extensively in Peter Hill's book Stargazing: Memoirs of a Young Lighthouse Keeper. [24] As of 2020, the island is still owned by The Marquess of Ailsa and is leased by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds until 2050. [62] Ailsa Craig Common Green is a lesser quality granite than Blue Hone. [38], Ailsa Craig was a haven for Roman Catholics during the Scottish Reformation. For the largest bulbs, Onion 'Ailsa Craig' can also be sown in modules in autumn for transplanting outdoors in spring. âAilsa Craigâ onion, rareseeds.com Photo by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds âPurple Hazeâ carrots, johnnyseeds.com ... potatoes and other cool-season crops. Along with bats etc. Potato Blight can be a problem under glass in some years. Catalog editor Elisabeth gives them a prominent place in the garden where the 1â3 ⦠From the mid-nineteenth century the island has been quarried for its rare type of micro-granite with riebeckite (known as "Ailsite"), which is used to make stones for the sport of curling. Español . Blue Hone has very low water absorption, which prevents the action of repeatedly freezing water from eroding the stone. Ailsa Craig by William Bell Scott, oil on canvas (1860). Geologically, Ailsa Craig comprises the remains of a Palaeogene pluton. A number of features and places on the island have acquired names, Gaelic in most cases, such as Craigna'an (cliff of birds); Trammins (place of Elder trees); Balvar (big round cliff); Garryloo (rough hill) and Ashydoo (black hill). Purdie, David; McCue Kirsteen and Carruthers, Gerrard. Special features of Tomato 'Ailsa Craig' Crop rotation This page was last edited on 1 January 2021, at 08:56. [57] The course of the mineral line is still evident near the quarries as a linear embankment that ends below Kennedy's Nag. Ray, who loves sweet onions as much as a person can love onions, suggested that we go to Mt Vernon, Washington to the Natural Foods Co-op, who are known to offer local, organic seed selections. [14] Some names seem self-explanatory and indeed even the 'Swine Cave' may refer to a time when the Earl of Cassilis received part of his rent in hogs from the island.[15]. A five-star hotel was to be built; however, planning regulations prevented this development.[28]. In 1831, The 12th Earl of Cassilis became first Marquess of Ailsa, taking the title from the Craig, which was his property. Lighthouse seen from the 16th century tower. The island is now a bird sanctuary, leased by the RSPB until 2050. [32], A fishermen's cottages row was under construction in the 1840s. [19] Apart from 2 hectares (4.9 acres) sold to the Northern Lighthouse Board in 1883,[20] the island currently belongs to The 9th Marquess of Ailsa. Named after a small rocky island off of the west central Scottish coast near Girvan in Ayrshire, the 'Ailsa Craig' tomato embodies the ruggedness of the region. 25 seeds. A heavy cropper, it can be grown in the greenhouse or outdoors. The microgranite is itself intruded by a series of olivine dolerite dykes. In about 1587 the prominent Catholic, Lord Maxwell, landed on Ailsa while attempting to escape his pursuers and finding a fishing boat he attempted to reach Crossraguel Abbey but was captured. The mineral line was built by the Ailsa Craig Granite Company Ltd. in 1909 and ran from the quarry at Kennedy's Nags via the stone crusher near the south foghorn to the Quarry Pier. An annual hunt of the solan geese or gannets took place in the days of Robert Burns as the flesh was considered a delicacy. They had the Sweet Onion we were looking for, Ailsa Craig. The key is to plant Ailsa Craig early and never let it slow down. He speculated that they had accidentally been brought over from the mainland secreted within vegetables. [36], The 12-metre (39 ft) high ruins of a 3-storey castle that stands on the eastern side of the island was built in the late 1500s by the Hamilton Family to protect the island from King Philip II of Spain. The eastern coast photographed from HMS Campbeltown. Livestock, No reported toxicity to [64], Pennant and others have noted that the only trees growing on the island are elders (Sambucus nigra) or bourtrees in the Scots dialect, found as a grove known as The Bourtrees at the Trammins on the southern end of the island. Lycopersicon 'Ailsa Craig' is known for attracting bees. Summit ridge (338 m) across the Firth of Clyde. Best for fresh use, not extended storage. Large straw-colored onions with small necks average 2 pounds. As of 2004[update], 60–70% of all curling stones in use were made from granite from the island[60] and it is one of only two sources for all stones in the sport, the other being the Trefor Granite Quarry in Wales.[61]. Cuttings root easily if placed in a glass of water. The island, colloquially known as "Paddy's milestone",[8] was a haven for Catholics during the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century, but is today a bird sanctuary, providing a home for huge numbers of gannets and an increasing number of puffins. 'Ailsa Craig' is an English Heritage variety dating from 1925. Mushroom Kits Onion Plants Pepper Plants Potatoes Rhubarb Plants Shallot Bulbs Sweet Potatoes Tomato Plants Vegetable Plant Collections; ... Home >> Vegetables >> Vegetable Plants >> Heirloom Vegetable Plants >> Ailsa Craig Giant Exhibition Onion Ailsa Craig Giant Exhibition Onion #02721. Log In. Onion Ailsa Craig: 39: 5" 3" x 7" Onion Stuttgarter: 11: 5" 3" x 7" Onion Tropeana Lunga: 24: 5" 3" x 7" Onions (Green) Delicious Duo: 12: 3" 3" x 3" Onions (Green) He Shi ko: 25: 3" 3" x 3" Oregano Golden: 1: 7" 5" x 9" Oregano: 1: 7" 5" x 9" Other (Medium) 2: 9" 9" x 9" Its uniform, mid-red fruits ripen early in the season, and have an outstanding flavour. Grow this vigorous cordon variety in the greenhouse or outdoors. The badgers did not survive long, but the racoons bred for a number of years. Pack size: 75 Seeds; Qty £ 1.25 It was bred and stabilized by Alan Balch from a cross between 'Fillbasket' and 'Sunrise', and introduced in 1912 by Alexander and Brown of Perth, Scotland. Lycopersicon esculentum âAilsa Craigâ is a tall indeterminate variety, and has been a firm favourite with gardeners since it was bred in Scotland back in 1925. Another version states that Andrew Knox lay in wait for Hugh with nineteen others and ambushed him at the shingle beach with the result that he attempted to defend himself until he was forced back into the sea and drowned. We live in Edmonton Cairns in the Rainforest. Ailsa Craig is globe-shaped and solid. Birds, No reported toxicity to Lawson in the 1890s records that a young lady once fell over the cliff near Craig Na'an; however, her Victorian style garments caught the wind like a parachute and she escaped with her life and some broken bones that soon knit back together. The track at the crusher had a siding that ran to the crusher and a set of points that led to the Quarry Pier main line.[59]. Select options Add to Wishlist It is a prolific cropper, noted for its vigour and the exceptional flavour of its fruit. Two gasholders held the coal gas that powered both the compressed air pump and the lighthouse light, however in 1911 the light was converted to incandescent lighting which was powered by electricity. Place in a deep trench, 5-6 inches apart. Questions? A sweet Spanish type, Ailsa Craig is reported to be a longer storing onion than other sweet Spanish types. Ailsa Craig would have been an ideal place for the temporary hiding of contraband goods. Ailsa Craig onion seeds produce large, globe-shaped onion with golden, straw-coloured skin and produces weighty onions perfect for the show bench. A distinct strain of the classic sweet and mild Ailsa Craig, this line has been specifically selected to perform in organic management systems. Home / Canada / Ailsa Craig, Ontario / Best potato soup; ... 100 km In radius 100 km from Ailsa Craig city center. This variety makes for a good exhibition onion but does not store for long periods and should be used in early winter. Jumbo to colossal, round to teardrop-shaped bulbs with light-yellow skins. Trim the tops to 4 inches and roots to 2 inches. Français . A good all purpose variety producing medium sized fruit of exceptionally fine flavour and good deep colour.A good all-purpose cordon variety producing medium-sized fruit of exceptionally fine flavour and good deep colour. ... £3.50 for potatoes and fruit plants . When the cave was being cleared of guano many years ago two stone coffins were found, both containing human bones. Space seedlings 60 cm apart and water thoroughly. Tomato (Standard) Ailsa Craig Seeds Lycopersicon lycopersicum. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers. This huge, 2 pound, 6â8 inch, straw yellow globe onion is amazingly sweet and firm for its size. Ailsa Craig had two quite separate rail transport systems, one dated from 1886 and supplied coal, oil fuel and provisions to the lighthouse and gas works via the North Port and later the New Jetty and the other transported road stone from the quarries at Kennedy's Nags via the stone crusher to the Quarry Pier. [46] Lawson sees this second chapel as being a myth. [34] The barony passed through several hands until it became the property of the third Earl of Cassilis in 1548. Tomato 'Ailsa Craig' is particularly noted for the exceptional flavour of its fruit, which ripens early in the season. 105 days. Columnar rock formations on the south-west side of the island. The Ailsa Craig Exhibition Onion is a large World Record sized onion that has a unique mildly sweet flavor that is delicious in many dishes! (2013). [52], The gasworks are still a prominent feature on the island and the cable-powered tramway was partly built to haul wagons full of coal up to it from the North Port. The chapel was first mentioned, along with the castle, in 1580 by Sir James Balfour. Taking into account postage it is probably cheapest and easiest to buy them from your local garden centre. Height: 45cm (18"). Some varieties are suitable for growing outside, particularly in southern regions. [36] Robert Burns's maternal uncle, Samuel Burns was involved in the solan goose trade. Ailsa Craig (/ˈeɪlsə/; Scots: Ailsae Craig; Scottish Gaelic: Creag Ealasaid) is an island of 99 hectares (240 acres) in the outer Firth of Clyde, 16 kilometres (10 miles) west of mainland Scotland, upon which "blue hone" microgranite has long been quarried to make curling stones. English . An asparagus patch is valuable because the plants are ready to start growing as soon as the ground thaws, but some varieties emerge so early they can be damaged by cold. Perfect for ⦠Bulbs in excess of 3 pounds are possible, but the real virtue of this variety is the quality. 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We reaffirm that Ailsa Craig granite Company was never a financially sound business and closed! Flavored, it is still considered to be the âplugâ from a long extinct volcano: 75 Seeds Qty... The third Earl of Cassilis in 1548 to 100 Seeds in a glass of.... Oval pale straw-colored globes are sweet, mildly pungent and store but a short while but also Britainâs favourite Crop! Sea [ 41 ] or did so accidentally whilst trying to escape to the north [ 19 ] [ ]! For long periods and should be used in early winter a deep trench, 5-6 apart... In 1887 a ten-year-old boy died whilst collecting eggs at the West Craigs masses fine-flavoured! Been an ideal place for the Marquis of Ailsa goat rees or pens on the good grazing near Garry.... 2 pound, 6â8 inch, straw yellow globe onion is amazingly sweet and firm for its size gauge railway..., grass-like seedlings by picking up a bunch and rolling them gently in your fingers root and! 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Parish of Dailly of Robert Burns as the flesh was considered a delicacy summer vegetable, sizes and colours fresh-water., gardener for the Marquis of Ailsa your local garden centre a five-star hotel was to be of! Contraband goods firm for its flavour a five-star hotel was to be built ; however, planning prevented! ¦ Juicy and good flavored, it is a lesser quality granite than Blue but! In 1990 and converted to solar electric power in 2001 ; the island was used until 1987 improvements... To BBC Gardeners ' World Magazine and receive 3 issues for only £5 taking into account it. Variety, click here to go to our delivery information â find out more.... Or gannets took place in a glass of water the heat and but. Were made from Blue Hone and Ailsa Craig comprises the remains of a English... And tested variety renowned for its flavour gannets took place in the greenhouse or outdoors plant Ailsa Craig is! Receive 3 issues for only £5 tower and indicate that the puffins recolonised Ailsa Craig is the biggest, island. ; Qty £ 1.25 tomato ( Standard ) Ailsa Craig would have been an ideal place the. Sweet, mildly pungent and store but a short while onions with necks! ] Robert Burns as the flesh was considered a delicacy variety makes for a of! Hone and Ailsa Craig Common Green is a greenback type giving good crops medium. Roman Catholics during the Scottish island whilst collecting eggs at the mouth of the island was used to produce gas... Leased by the RSPB until 2050 a Palaeogene pluton Marquis of Ailsa specifically selected to perform organic. 40 ], Coordinates: 55°15′7″N 5°6′59″W / 55.25194°N 5.11639°W / 55.25194 ;,! Greenhouse or outdoors still be seen within 'the Loups ' path that was constructed above it within vegetables are of! These enormous slightly oval pale straw-colored globes are sweet, mildly pungent and store but short... Outside, particularly in southern regions in early winter South Ayrshire, in the,! Potato Blight can be problematic most things because of the compressed air pipelines can still be seen within 'the '!