Geograph - photograph every grid square

Ayrshire landmark, used whenever The Open is at Troon as a scenic backdrop for the scorecard on television. The island is very small made of a gabbro like igneous rock and is very hard to walk upon. Landing is discouraged for most of the year, by the elements in winter and to protect the nesting birds throughout the summer. In September the remains of the nesting season could be seen along with a big roost of teal. The guano fertilises the soil and the resulting lush vegetation hides the treacherous boulder fields below. Even with the lighthouse, the island still claims shipping, there was the remains of a "gin palace" scattered all over one shore.