Magical Mystery Tour June 2025 Part 3 Isle of Man

Days two and three two saw us heading south on the island to Port Erin, for a very exciting encounter! I met up with my schoolfriend Gwyneth and her husband for the first time in over 30 years! It was lovely to see her again, and we arranged to meet up again on Monday.

We had booked tickets on the boat Shona for a trip around The Calf of Man, and small island and nature reserve off the southern tip of the i-o-m. It was rather a murky day, with rain threatening, but thankfully it stayed dry. We saw most of the expected birds, guillemot, razorbill, gannet, kittiwake, shag and many gulls.

There were some spectacular puffins... but these are fake, sponsored by local people to encourage real ones to return.

And 12 did come this year although they didn't breed, so signs are hopeful. Sadly, we did not see any Manx Shearwater, named after these islands. Not surprising really as they normally stay out at sea and only come in at dusk! We were about 12 hours too early!  The sheep on the island are unique. They are called Loaghtan sheep and have 4, often very curly horns.

This huge rock formation is the drinking dragon!

We also learned about epic shipwrecks like the Clan MacMaster. The crew escaped to the small island. When they woke next day, part of their cargo, a consignement of Singer sewing machines, had mysteriously vanished. Lots of home made clothes that winter!

The mining industry on the Island was extensive, and dangerous. Copper and Lead mines were cut into the cliffs and under the sea, and Cornish tin miners were brought in for their expertise. One of the Island's greatest philanthropists, William Milner, who ran a succesful company manufacturing safes, helped the local community in many ways, and to commemorate him, a tower was built high on the cliffs, in the shape of a key. However he had even arranged to pay the town back most of the cost so they could use the money for the poor and the school.

Back on shore we headed for bacon sandwiches at the excellent Whistlestop cafe next to the station. The Isle of Man still has a fairly extensive rail network, but, depending upon which part of the island you are in, this could be steam trains, electric trains, electric trams or even horse driven trams. Of course we will be trying to experience them all!

Up into the wild moorland next, made more atmospheric by the mist rolling in from the sea... think Wuthering Heights or Mull of Kintyre! This is the Meayll stone circle, surrounded by burial chambers, dating from nearly 4000 years ago.

We then descended past the tiny village of Cregneash which contains traditional buildings like these lovely thatched cottages.

The beams sticking out are to attach a rope mesh that holds down the thatch. In another area we saw cottages with stones tied into the thatch for the same purpose.

Castletown is just up the coast and was the old capital of the island until 1869. Consequently it is the site of the old Parliament building -the House of Keys, and a very impressive castle. Built in 1265 it was extended for defensive purposes several times.

The Celts were the first rulers of Mann, then the Vikings came in 800ad and intermarried, influencing the language and customs and creating the Manx language in use today. It survived as a written language and appears on most signage, but great efforts are being made to reintroduce the spoken form. The Vikings ruled until 1266 when they sold Mann to the Scots, who, in 1346 lost it to the English after the defeat of Robert the Bruce. Then began a period of 300 years when Mann was ruled by the Kings of Mann.... the Stanley family. There were 7 in total, and their rule is mostly looked upon favourably. Which is very exciting for me, because the 3rd King of Mann, Thomas Stanley, was my 14th great grandfather!

We thought about putting in a claim, but the castle was rather draughty! It was very well set out, and well worth a visit, and I should say at this point that almost all properties run by Manx heritage, which includes most museums and castles plus the Laxey Wheel, are free to National Trust or English Heritage members! We really enjoyed all the ones we visited.

We left Castletown, including it's very quaint old Police station,

and drove a few miles to the Langness promontory. Here we had a wonderful walk among some spectacular cliff scenery, which was rendered even more stunning by the mist which gradually cleared completely.

The walk out to the lighthouse was lovely, and we spent ages watching a family of Chough, one of our favourite birds.

This tower was built in 1811 and is a herring tower.

Fires were lit in the top to guide the herring fleet home in the fog. Everyone here has been very friendly. Including a lady out walking who said this was her treat walk because she gets to be out of the house longer?! She insisted on taking us out to the huge foghorn to take a photo! We duly obliged!

As you can see, we certainly experienced 3 seasons in one day! We headed back to the tent for a thrown together supper. Another great day.  Saturday saw us driving through the centre of the island, with stunning wild landscapes reminiscent of Scottish glens. Part of it was on the TT course, and we were often being overtaken by Motorbikes and Supercars. Out to the coast and then South west to Peel, site of another huge defensive castle built in 1187 that is less well preserved than Castletown but also contains the ruins of a cathedral.

It is still fascinating to explore, and with great views of the dramatic coast and beach.

Then we visited the Mannannan museum. Mannannan was a Celtic Sea god who protected the island by shrouding it in mists, rendering it invisible! The history of the Isle of Man was told mainly through excellent dioramas and film. This would be super for children. It covered Celtic roundhouse life, the Viking invasion and right through to the Herring and Kipper industry! This replica Viking longboat , the Raven, was rowed/sailed here from Norway.

Time for a super lunch at The Boatyard, and our first chance to sample a Manx speciality...Queenies.  Small, delicious scallops. I also tried Manx Kipper chowder. Gorgeous! Who needs clams?!

Fortified, we visited possibly the tiniest museum ever! Dedicated to the tiny Peel 50 single seater car, built here in the 1950's because the designer, Cyril Cannell of Peel Engineering, was fed up getting wet on his motorbike. They are incredibly simple, but so few remain that they sell for large sums at auction.

They produced a sportier 2 seater version, the Trident, but these weren't a success and were very cosy as you can see!

The sun had come out, so we had ice creams at Davidson's award winning shop! They were unbelievably huge!

We spent the rest of the afternoon at another hidden gem we might not have reached in the van, gorgeous Niarbyl beach... so many rockpools.

I was in my element.

And this gorgeous traditional cottage too.

Back to the tent for a light supper and  a relax. We managed to sleep pretty well, and the tent held up through some very strong gusty winds throughout the night.

As you can probably see from the last few days photos, that weather forecast for the week wasn't very accurate!