Unusually high number of basking sharks around Arran

Jaws have been dropping as sightings of sharks, perhaps related to the famous ferocious film star fish, seem to have been on the increase recently

Former Arran resident, Boyd Sneddon who now lives in Glenbarr, was back visiting the island, when he saw 13 basking sharks in one day.

Calling the Banner to tell staff about the unusually high number of sharks, he explained: ‘I was walking up from North Sannox with my wife, Sally, and saw 11 basking sharks, in the space of about an hour, in Sannox Bay.

‘Then we saw another two on the ferry home. I’ve never seen anything like it before.’

Boyd, who previously ran The Lighthouse restaurant in Pirnmill, added, ‘To see 13 sharks in one day is quite rare, and they were definitely different sharks. The 11 were in close, and looked to be feeding. This was in the space of around three miles.

‘When I lived on the island I would see the odd one now and again, but this was pretty astonishing.’

Boyd’s account comes only a fortnight after multiple sightings of sharks off Corrie and three minke whales from the Clonaig ferry, as well as a pod of porpoises, were all spotted by Corrie resident, Gavin Watson.