1 00:00:40,568 --> 00:00:43,049 KATE MARTIN: Hello and welcome to the National Trust Podcast. 2 00:00:43,569 --> 00:00:47,370 I'm Lead Ranger Kate Martin and today we're making a splash just 3 00:00:47,390 --> 00:00:48,971 off the coast of Northern Ireland. 4 00:00:49,631 --> 00:00:52,732 We'll be heading out to Rathlin Island but to get there we need 5 00:00:52,732 --> 00:00:55,293 to cross the deepest waters in the British Isles. 6 00:00:55,913 --> 00:00:58,974 Along the way we'll find out what creatures lurk in the deep 7 00:00:59,174 --> 00:01:02,755 as we head on a sea safari, as well as discovering an ancient 8 00:01:02,795 --> 00:01:04,276 and delicious source of food. 9 00:01:09,612 --> 00:01:12,334 It's a glorious day on the Causeway Coast today. 10 00:01:12,894 --> 00:01:15,756 I've not long woken up here in my beautiful holiday cottage at 11 00:01:15,756 --> 00:01:16,556 Carrick-A-Reed. 12 00:01:17,197 --> 00:01:19,858 Looking through the window and stretching for miles is some of 13 00:01:19,838 --> 00:01:23,781 the most gorgeous sun-kissed blue oceans I've ever seen and 14 00:01:23,821 --> 00:01:25,802 something you might not know about me as I'm actually a 15 00:01:25,822 --> 00:01:29,664 marine biologist so any and all opportunities to feel the sea 16 00:01:29,724 --> 00:01:32,506 breeze and smell that crisp salty air and I'm there. 17 00:01:32,566 --> 00:01:37,468 I'm just packing my rucksack. And a packed lunch for the day 18 00:01:37,588 --> 00:01:40,729 before I head down the road to the harbour for a very exciting 19 00:01:40,749 --> 00:01:41,549 day of adventure. 20 00:01:42,710 --> 00:01:45,611 I've actually booked on to do a sea safari and meet a seaweed 21 00:01:45,671 --> 00:01:46,791 expert for a picnic. 22 00:01:48,831 --> 00:01:51,392 Before I go, I'm off to meet my friend and fellow marine 23 00:01:51,392 --> 00:01:52,913 biologist, Jade Berman. 24 00:01:59,034 --> 00:01:59,774 How are you doing? 25 00:01:59,854 --> 00:02:01,515 JADE BERMAN: I'm good. How are you? How was your trip over? 26 00:02:01,615 --> 00:02:03,595 KATE MARTIN: It was good. It was very, very good. 27 00:02:03,936 --> 00:02:04,376 JADE BERMAN: Excellent. 28 00:02:04,376 --> 00:02:08,198 KATE MARTIN: So, you're obviously an expert on the coast 29 00:02:08,678 --> 00:02:10,340 of beautiful Northern Ireland. 30 00:02:10,620 --> 00:02:11,601 JADE BERMAN: I try my best. 31 00:02:11,761 --> 00:02:14,663 KATE MARTIN: So I need to know what it is I should be looking 32 00:02:14,683 --> 00:02:16,144 out for. What's good? 33 00:02:16,665 --> 00:02:18,787 JADE BERMAN: Oh, there's so many things you could be looking out 34 00:02:18,827 --> 00:02:21,909 for. It is an absolutely amazing place and you're going to have a 35 00:02:21,929 --> 00:02:22,210 ball. 36 00:02:22,890 --> 00:02:26,873 So what can I think? Let's start off maybe from the big stuff and 37 00:02:26,873 --> 00:02:28,815 then we'll work our way down to the little things that are my 38 00:02:28,855 --> 00:02:29,315 favourites. 39 00:02:30,036 --> 00:02:32,298 If you're kind of looking around there, you've got a good chance 40 00:02:32,338 --> 00:02:34,520 of seeing some of the marine mammals. 41 00:02:34,984 --> 00:02:37,226 So there might be a few different ones there. We've got 42 00:02:37,226 --> 00:02:40,949 a great drop off. So because of the upwelling coming from 200 43 00:02:40,969 --> 00:02:44,452 metres, there's lots of nice tasty food for them. So you 44 00:02:44,472 --> 00:02:46,413 might have a chance to see some of the dolphins. 45 00:02:46,694 --> 00:02:47,094 KATE MARTIN: Nice. 46 00:02:47,334 --> 00:02:49,416 JADE BERMAN: If you're lucky, you might have a chance of 47 00:02:49,436 --> 00:02:52,899 seeing a basking shark, which is always an amazing thing. Or even 48 00:02:52,959 --> 00:02:55,701 maybe there's actually one of the first marine protected areas 49 00:02:55,741 --> 00:02:59,044 pretty close by, which was designated for porpoises. 50 00:02:59,744 --> 00:03:03,527 So those little puffin pigs are pretty cute as well to come and 51 00:03:03,547 --> 00:03:03,728 see. 52 00:03:04,888 --> 00:03:07,349 But there's lots of stuff beneath the water as well. So if 53 00:03:07,329 --> 00:03:10,270 you get a chance, then it's quite awesome to have a look 54 00:03:10,330 --> 00:03:12,630 both in the shallows and some of the cool seaweeds. 55 00:03:12,690 --> 00:03:17,252 But my particular favourite is the sponges. And the reason is 56 00:03:17,412 --> 00:03:21,033 like Rathlin Island is a world hotspot for sponges. 57 00:03:21,153 --> 00:03:21,613 KATE MARTIN: Really? 58 00:03:21,993 --> 00:03:25,714 JADE BERMAN: There are over 29 species that are endemic. So 59 00:03:25,734 --> 00:03:29,095 they're found nowhere else in the world that is just in 60 00:03:29,115 --> 00:03:29,415 Rathlin. 61 00:03:29,455 --> 00:03:32,517 And they come in every colour under the sun. So they are 62 00:03:32,557 --> 00:03:33,197 pretty awesome. 63 00:03:33,217 --> 00:03:35,799 So if you can get a chance to have a wee dip, that would be 64 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:38,081 awesome. But I know, you know, whether depending on time, you 65 00:03:38,081 --> 00:03:40,563 might have to come back for that one. So we shall see. 66 00:03:41,104 --> 00:03:43,366 KATE MARTIN: Obviously, I'm really hoping we will see 67 00:03:43,486 --> 00:03:45,948 something. But if we don't- 68 00:03:46,388 --> 00:03:49,351 JADE BERMAN: Yes, I actually have something to help you with 69 00:03:49,351 --> 00:03:50,332 some of that big stuff. 70 00:03:50,452 --> 00:03:50,912 KATE MARTIN: Amazing. 71 00:03:51,092 --> 00:03:53,835 JADE BERMAN: Yes, so I've got one here. And I want you to see 72 00:03:53,835 --> 00:03:55,956 if you can figure out what it is and what you might want to do 73 00:03:55,976 --> 00:03:56,237 with it. 74 00:03:56,877 --> 00:03:57,838 That's how we look- 75 00:03:57,978 --> 00:04:01,582 KATE MARTIN: How very suggestive! 76 00:04:01,582 --> 00:04:04,974 It's obviously a microphone of some kind. 77 00:04:05,414 --> 00:04:06,995 JADE BERMAN: But where do you think you might be using it? 78 00:04:08,036 --> 00:04:09,357 KATE MARTIN: Well, I'm guessing if we're going on a boat. 79 00:04:09,637 --> 00:04:09,977 JADE BERMAN: Yes. 80 00:04:10,457 --> 00:04:11,638 KATE MARTIN: Does it go under the water? 81 00:04:11,778 --> 00:04:12,098 JADE BERMAN: Bingo. 82 00:04:12,338 --> 00:04:14,079 KATE MARTIN: Ah, a hydrophone. 83 00:04:14,439 --> 00:04:14,760 JADE BERMAN: Yes. 84 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:18,442 KATE MARTIN: Wow. So what sort of things, what sort of noises 85 00:04:18,442 --> 00:04:19,602 would I be expecting to hear? 86 00:04:20,123 --> 00:04:22,884 JADE BERMAN: Well, it just so happens that I have a few little 87 00:04:22,984 --> 00:04:24,345 noises that you can have a listen to. 88 00:04:24,625 --> 00:04:25,065 KATE MARTIN: Oh, amazing. 89 00:04:25,065 --> 00:04:26,786 JADE BERMAN: See if you can then recognise them in real life. 90 00:04:27,887 --> 00:04:30,680 KATE MARTIN: This is not a good one for a- It's been a long time 91 00:04:30,700 --> 00:04:33,381 since I did my marine biology degree. We'll see. 92 00:04:37,303 --> 00:04:38,223 A dolphin? 93 00:04:39,123 --> 00:04:41,164 JADE BERMAN: Yeah, I think if you can see- what was one of the 94 00:04:41,204 --> 00:04:43,565 largest of the dolphins that we get in our waters? 95 00:04:43,865 --> 00:04:44,445 KATE MARTIN: Bottlenose? 96 00:04:44,965 --> 00:04:45,165 JADE BERMAN: Yes. 97 00:04:45,205 --> 00:04:46,006 KATE MARTIN: Bottlenose dolphin? 98 00:04:46,146 --> 00:04:48,907 JADE BERMAN: Well done. Yeah, that's right. I think we might 99 00:04:48,927 --> 00:04:50,848 have to try another one though, because there are others you 100 00:04:50,848 --> 00:04:51,448 might hear too. 101 00:04:51,448 --> 00:04:52,008 KATE MARTIN: I know! 102 00:05:02,123 --> 00:05:06,107 Again? It's a dolphin or a porpoise? I don't know something 103 00:05:06,107 --> 00:05:07,128 like a common dolphin? 104 00:05:07,408 --> 00:05:08,890 JADE BERMAN: Something a bit bigger this time. 105 00:05:09,050 --> 00:05:09,570 KATE MARTIN: Oh! 106 00:05:09,570 --> 00:05:11,112 JADE BERMAN: It's actually one of the biggest ones that we kind 107 00:05:11,112 --> 00:05:11,392 of would- 108 00:05:11,933 --> 00:05:12,901 One of the biggest ones or the ones- 109 00:05:12,901 --> 00:05:12,974 KATE MARTIN: Orca! 110 00:05:13,694 --> 00:05:14,955 JADE BERMAN: No, bigger! Bigger still! 111 00:05:15,156 --> 00:05:15,716 KATE MARTIN: Minke whale! 112 00:05:15,876 --> 00:05:16,137 JADE BERMAN: Bigger! 113 00:05:17,878 --> 00:05:18,554 Come on, you can get bigger- 114 00:05:18,554 --> 00:05:18,719 KATE MARTIN: Blue Whale! 115 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:21,622 JADE BERMAN: Not that big! Not that big! We haven't got blue- 116 00:05:21,742 --> 00:05:22,242 KATE MARTIN: Humpback? 117 00:05:22,603 --> 00:05:25,125 JADE BERMAN: Humpback, that's right. Yeah. So well done. Well 118 00:05:25,165 --> 00:05:25,906 done on that one. 119 00:05:26,406 --> 00:05:26,827 KATE MARTIN: Next one. 120 00:05:31,015 --> 00:05:33,557 That sounds completely different. That sounds more like 121 00:05:33,557 --> 00:05:34,758 a propeller on a boat. 122 00:05:34,778 --> 00:05:36,639 JADE BERMAN: That sounds like a propeller on a boat. 123 00:05:36,799 --> 00:05:40,341 KATE MARTIN: I'm going for with the splashing- Is it a basking 124 00:05:40,401 --> 00:05:40,862 shark? 125 00:05:42,063 --> 00:05:43,684 JADE BERMAN: No, it's not a basking shark. 126 00:05:44,885 --> 00:05:45,665 KATE MARTIN: Any clues? 127 00:05:47,486 --> 00:05:49,868 JADE BERMAN: Well, it is still one of the whales. 128 00:05:50,408 --> 00:05:50,729 KATE MARTIN: Okay. 129 00:05:51,569 --> 00:05:52,930 JADE BERMAN: It's not as big as a humpback whale. 130 00:05:52,990 --> 00:05:54,751 KATE MARTIN: We're going to go down. We're going to go 131 00:05:54,751 --> 00:05:55,132 sideways. 132 00:05:55,452 --> 00:05:56,252 Are we going Minke? 133 00:05:56,613 --> 00:05:56,933 JADE BERMAN: Yes. 134 00:06:00,535 --> 00:06:03,857 KATE MARTIN: I've seen a minke whale in- off of Scotland a few 135 00:06:03,897 --> 00:06:04,358 times. 136 00:06:04,418 --> 00:06:06,259 JADE BERMAN: Yeah, I'm hoping you see some basking sharks. I 137 00:06:06,259 --> 00:06:07,140 think that would be quite cool. 138 00:06:07,180 --> 00:06:08,701 KATE MARTIN: I love basking sharks. 139 00:06:08,841 --> 00:06:10,262 JADE BERMAN: It's kind of early, but, you know. 140 00:06:10,342 --> 00:06:12,643 KATE MARTIN: Yeah. I've seen them off the coast of Scotland 141 00:06:12,663 --> 00:06:15,946 before now. They're just awesome. They're so big. 142 00:06:16,106 --> 00:06:18,187 JADE BERMAN: Yeah. And keep an eye out for puffins too. 143 00:06:18,207 --> 00:06:19,108 KATE MARTIN: Oh, really? 144 00:06:19,128 --> 00:06:20,909 JADE BERMAN: Yeah, obviously the puffins will be coming in. 145 00:06:20,909 --> 00:06:21,169 KATE MARTIN: Yeah. 146 00:06:21,169 --> 00:06:23,090 JADE BERMAN: And Rathlin Island is a good place for those too. 147 00:06:23,150 --> 00:06:24,832 KATE MARTIN: Oh, nice. 148 00:06:24,832 --> 00:06:27,233 Sounds absolutely amazing. I can't wait. 149 00:06:27,233 --> 00:06:29,094 JADE BERMAN: Yeah, you really enjoy. Yes, and tell me all 150 00:06:29,094 --> 00:06:29,795 about it later. 151 00:06:30,031 --> 00:06:31,773 KATE MARTIN: Will do! 152 00:06:31,793 --> 00:06:34,515 Now prepped with a boatload of knowledge, it was time to head 153 00:06:34,535 --> 00:06:37,918 to Ballycastle Marina to meet Skipper Richard from Aquaholics, 154 00:06:38,158 --> 00:06:41,521 a company that specialises in diving, sea safaris and the 155 00:06:41,681 --> 00:06:44,283 Irish Sea. 156 00:06:44,323 --> 00:06:45,444 Hi, you must be Richard? 157 00:06:45,484 --> 00:06:46,545 RICHARD LAFFERTY: I am, how are you? Kate is it? 158 00:06:46,545 --> 00:06:48,567 KATE MARTIN: I'm good, I'm good. 159 00:06:48,907 --> 00:06:49,468 Nice boat! 160 00:06:50,068 --> 00:06:52,831 So, what sort of things should we be looking out for today? 161 00:06:53,499 --> 00:06:54,679 RICHARD LAFFERTY: Well today we're going to go across the 162 00:06:54,719 --> 00:06:57,520 channel here between the Causeway Coast and Rathlin 163 00:06:57,620 --> 00:06:59,741 Island with Fairhead on the right hand side which is 164 00:06:59,821 --> 00:07:03,582 fantastic, it's a Game of Thrones site and where Jon Snow 165 00:07:03,642 --> 00:07:04,842 first pet of the dragon. 166 00:07:04,842 --> 00:07:07,303 And up to the west end with Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and 167 00:07:07,303 --> 00:07:09,583 Giant's Causeway so we're going to keep going head towards 168 00:07:09,643 --> 00:07:12,424 Rathlin Island which is well known for its wildlife. 169 00:07:12,424 --> 00:07:14,485 What do you want to be doing today is keeping not your eyes 170 00:07:14,485 --> 00:07:16,305 on the boat but eyes on the sea. 171 00:07:17,045 --> 00:07:20,466 KATE MARTIN: Fantastic well I can't wait I just love being on 172 00:07:20,446 --> 00:07:22,867 the water so really looking forward to it! 173 00:07:37,074 --> 00:07:39,156 RICHARD LAFFERTY: So Kate, we've left Ballycastle and we've come 174 00:07:39,176 --> 00:07:40,977 across the Rathlin Sound here. 175 00:07:42,337 --> 00:07:45,339 If you're looking to the west, this is the Giant's Causeway, 176 00:07:45,439 --> 00:07:48,161 the chimney tops and the furthest bit of cliff you can 177 00:07:48,241 --> 00:07:48,421 see. 178 00:07:48,641 --> 00:07:48,841 KATE MARTIN: Yeah. 179 00:07:49,061 --> 00:07:50,562 RICHARD LAFFERTY: And then that's Sheep Island, which is 180 00:07:50,602 --> 00:07:51,983 beside Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. 181 00:07:52,223 --> 00:07:55,886 This is Kinbane Headland, where Kinbane Castle is. And you've 182 00:07:55,906 --> 00:07:58,148 also Dunseverick Castle on the side of Giant's Causeway. 183 00:07:58,529 --> 00:08:02,012 And then here on the southeast side of us is Fairhead. This is 184 00:08:01,992 --> 00:08:04,113 the most northeast point of the island of Ireland. 185 00:08:04,394 --> 00:08:07,276 So then we're actually looking down the Irish Sea. We're 186 00:08:07,276 --> 00:08:10,939 looking down the east side of Ireland. Over to further to our 187 00:08:11,039 --> 00:08:13,802 east is the Mull Of Kintyre in Scotland. That's part of the 188 00:08:13,822 --> 00:08:14,583 mainland of Scotland. 189 00:08:15,043 --> 00:08:18,606 So it's only about 14 nautical miles from Fairhead to the Mull 190 00:08:18,606 --> 00:08:19,046 Of Kintyre. 191 00:08:19,107 --> 00:08:19,447 KATE MARTIN: Wow. 192 00:08:19,863 --> 00:08:21,224 RICHARD LAFFERTY: And then you can see what's happening at the 193 00:08:21,244 --> 00:08:23,346 moment. We've got quite a strong tide. The tide's coming up the 194 00:08:23,406 --> 00:08:24,787 Irish Sea, and it's heading into- 195 00:08:24,827 --> 00:08:28,549 This is now the Atlantic Ocean to our west. And that strong 196 00:08:28,609 --> 00:08:33,132 tide is fantastic for us, as boat people and riding sea 197 00:08:33,192 --> 00:08:34,393 safaris, scuba diving. 198 00:08:34,954 --> 00:08:38,676 This strong tide and our plankton-rich waters is hitting 199 00:08:38,796 --> 00:08:42,499 Rathlin Island at full tilt. And that's force-feeding the soft 200 00:08:42,539 --> 00:08:44,340 corals and the sponges under the water. 201 00:08:44,660 --> 00:08:48,723 That brings in the small fish, the big fish, and then that's 202 00:08:48,763 --> 00:08:51,285 all part of the food chain. That brings in the birds, etc. 203 00:08:51,325 --> 00:08:54,047 So what's below water is actually more important than 204 00:08:54,068 --> 00:08:54,668 what's above water. 205 00:08:55,309 --> 00:08:57,730 KATE MARTIN: Well, as a marine biologist, we always used to 206 00:08:57,771 --> 00:09:00,993 say, it's the little stuff that matters, not the big stuff on 207 00:09:00,973 --> 00:09:01,433 the top. 208 00:09:01,714 --> 00:09:02,114 RICHARD LAFFERTY: Yeah, yeah. 209 00:09:02,134 --> 00:09:04,116 KATE MARTIN: So stuff stuck on the ground, that's the thing 210 00:09:04,136 --> 00:09:04,876 that's important. 211 00:09:04,916 --> 00:09:06,798 RICHARD LAFFERTY: Yeah, without the blue, there's no green. 212 00:09:06,918 --> 00:09:10,227 KATE MARTIN: Exactly, exactly that! 213 00:09:10,227 --> 00:09:12,062 RICHARD LAFFERTY: Kate, what we'll do now is, if it's okay, 214 00:09:12,102 --> 00:09:14,504 we'll head in towards, this is the old kelp houses. 215 00:09:14,824 --> 00:09:15,105 KATE MARTIN: Okay. 216 00:09:15,205 --> 00:09:16,586 RICHARD LAFFERTY: This is Ushet Harbour. 217 00:09:16,906 --> 00:09:19,087 So in the old days- look at how choppy maybe the sea is a wee 218 00:09:19,087 --> 00:09:19,848 bit in places today. 219 00:09:20,268 --> 00:09:23,109 If you look into this bay you see it's very calm. In the old 220 00:09:23,149 --> 00:09:25,590 days they were able to get the sailing ships into this bay and 221 00:09:25,670 --> 00:09:28,551 hopefully we'll find some seals and have a look in there. 222 00:09:28,811 --> 00:09:29,491 KATE MARTIN: Fantastic! 223 00:09:44,315 --> 00:09:47,816 RICHARD LAFFERTY: So, Kate, this is Ushet Port. You can see how 224 00:09:48,537 --> 00:09:51,518 calm it is inside the port. And these are the old kelp houses 225 00:09:51,558 --> 00:09:54,719 when they would of farmed kelp all along the coast here. And if 226 00:09:54,739 --> 00:09:56,940 you look up on the rocks and in the bay here, you'll see some 227 00:09:57,040 --> 00:09:58,061 seals in the water. 228 00:09:58,481 --> 00:10:01,482 But again, you can see the strength of the tide, how strong 229 00:10:01,502 --> 00:10:03,923 the tide is outside the port here. It's ripping about four to 230 00:10:03,943 --> 00:10:04,423 five knots. 231 00:10:04,563 --> 00:10:06,355 Oh, there's a big Seal coming towards us now! 232 00:10:06,355 --> 00:10:07,048 KATE MARTIN: Oh Yeah! 233 00:10:07,048 --> 00:10:10,129 Oh, so nosy. 234 00:10:10,129 --> 00:10:11,430 RICHARD LAFFERTY: You hear an Oyster Catcher somewhere as 235 00:10:11,450 --> 00:10:12,170 well, squeaking there. 236 00:10:12,991 --> 00:10:16,132 KATE MARTIN: Oh, oyster catcher. The most neurotic of birds. 237 00:10:16,932 --> 00:10:18,493 RICHARD LAFFERTY: The water's lovely and clear here, very 238 00:10:18,613 --> 00:10:18,833 rich. 239 00:10:19,633 --> 00:10:23,635 The kelp here is extremely thick. In Rathlin Island, a lot 240 00:10:23,635 --> 00:10:28,197 of places around the British Isles, kelp grows to around 12 241 00:10:28,257 --> 00:10:29,158 metres under the water. 242 00:10:30,218 --> 00:10:33,659 Around Rathlin Island, because our water's so rich, generally 243 00:10:33,659 --> 00:10:36,505 the water's so dark and clear. The kelp was growing down to 20, 244 00:10:36,645 --> 00:10:37,726 24 metres in places. 245 00:10:37,866 --> 00:10:37,986 KATE MARTIN: Wow! 246 00:10:39,267 --> 00:10:42,389 That is massive! 247 00:10:42,389 --> 00:10:45,882 RICHARD LAFFERTY: Right beside! There's a young girl there, a 248 00:10:45,882 --> 00:10:46,552 little Seal. 249 00:10:46,552 --> 00:10:48,013 KATE MARTIN: They're so nosy, aren't they? 250 00:10:48,093 --> 00:10:49,294 RICHARD LAFFERTY: Yeah, yeah. 251 00:10:49,294 --> 00:10:49,595 KATE MARTIN: That's what I always loved about seals! 252 00:10:49,595 --> 00:10:53,738 I remember doing some snorkelling once when I lived 253 00:10:53,738 --> 00:10:55,899 off the west coast of Scotland and we were just snorkelling 254 00:10:55,919 --> 00:10:58,701 around and you just turn around and there was a Seal behind us. 255 00:10:58,701 --> 00:11:02,828 It was like, "Ahh! What are you doing here?" 256 00:11:02,828 --> 00:11:05,290 Is the Seal still nosing around? 257 00:11:05,290 --> 00:11:06,791 RICHARD LAFFERTY: There's a lot of seals lying up on the rocks 258 00:11:06,831 --> 00:11:07,552 beside the sheep there. 259 00:11:07,552 --> 00:11:10,094 It's just gorgeous, isn't it? 260 00:11:11,815 --> 00:11:13,977 KATE MARTIN: As we leave the seals relaxing in the bay and 261 00:11:13,997 --> 00:11:16,799 continue around the island's coast, Richard invites us into 262 00:11:16,799 --> 00:11:20,322 the boat's cabin to explore some of Rathlin's most famous and 263 00:11:20,342 --> 00:11:22,544 infamous shipwrecks below us on the seabed. 264 00:11:22,925 --> 00:11:24,726 RICHARD LAFFERTY: We know of hundreds, if not thousands, of 265 00:11:24,766 --> 00:11:26,808 ships that have hit Rathlin Island or have been lost in an 266 00:11:26,828 --> 00:11:27,548 area around it. 267 00:11:27,849 --> 00:11:30,190 And so this is a very strategic location. As you can imagine, 268 00:11:30,271 --> 00:11:33,252 World War I and World War II, A lot of the convoys coming in 269 00:11:33,272 --> 00:11:36,853 from the North Atlantic are from America were going to Belfast, 270 00:11:36,973 --> 00:11:39,694 Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow. So they're all having to pass 271 00:11:39,754 --> 00:11:40,214 this area. 272 00:11:40,615 --> 00:11:44,116 So the German U-boats would have sat off the North Channel here. 273 00:11:44,496 --> 00:11:47,156 And on one day, a German U-boat, U-89, sunk three British 274 00:11:47,196 --> 00:11:47,617 warships. 275 00:11:47,997 --> 00:11:50,998 But the ship I'm going to show you now is an old, it's a 276 00:11:51,018 --> 00:11:54,118 Caledonian MacBrayne liner. And in World War II, it was 277 00:11:54,659 --> 00:11:56,339 transporting British troops. 278 00:11:57,439 --> 00:11:58,940 And it hit rocks. 279 00:11:59,456 --> 00:12:01,698 So there actually on our sounder now, the wreck's actually 280 00:12:01,718 --> 00:12:02,178 appearing. 281 00:12:02,258 --> 00:12:03,879 KATE MARTIN: So what we've got here, because obviously we're in 282 00:12:03,879 --> 00:12:06,601 your nice warm cabin now, and not at the bottom of the sea, 283 00:12:06,641 --> 00:12:07,181 which is great. 284 00:12:07,602 --> 00:12:11,024 So you can see sort of a blue- obviously blue of the sea. 285 00:12:11,024 --> 00:12:13,146 And then sort of at the bottom of the screen is sort of 286 00:12:13,486 --> 00:12:17,409 relatively flat, sort of darker brown, and then this quite clear 287 00:12:18,189 --> 00:12:20,491 hump in the middle, which is the wreck? 288 00:12:21,071 --> 00:12:22,892 RICHARD LAFFERTY: Yeah, that's the wreck, and we can actually 289 00:12:22,952 --> 00:12:25,915 put another system on as well, which is a side scan system. 290 00:12:25,935 --> 00:12:28,404 So yeah, you can see the structure of the wreck. You can 291 00:12:28,424 --> 00:12:30,266 see the bow, this is the bow of the wreck. 292 00:12:30,266 --> 00:12:33,948 So this wreck is a fantastic wreck because it's one of the 293 00:12:34,869 --> 00:12:37,971 best wrecks for sports divers on the island of Ireland because 294 00:12:38,231 --> 00:12:39,612 it's sitting intact in the bottom. 295 00:12:39,992 --> 00:12:40,393 KATE MARTIN: Oh, wow. 296 00:12:40,833 --> 00:12:43,795 RICHARD LAFFERTY: And the reason why I like diving, not only is 297 00:12:43,795 --> 00:12:46,217 it a fantastic wreck to see, but because it's sitting in a flat 298 00:12:46,317 --> 00:12:49,920 area of the bottom with a strong tide going past it all the time, 299 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:53,682 it attracts fantastic marine life. So the wreck is completely 300 00:12:53,762 --> 00:12:58,182 covered in soft corals, sponges, big shoals of fish, lobster, 301 00:12:58,302 --> 00:13:00,003 ling, conger, everything. 302 00:13:00,243 --> 00:13:03,566 KATE MARTIN: Sounds amazing. So how many wrecks do you think 303 00:13:03,626 --> 00:13:05,708 there are just within Rathlin Sound itself? 304 00:13:09,051 --> 00:13:12,674 RICHARD LAFFERTY: Around, at Rathlin Island, we know of about 305 00:13:12,694 --> 00:13:16,177 65 confirmed locations that we've identified. 306 00:13:17,218 --> 00:13:19,620 But there's hundreds of other wrecks that haven't been found. 307 00:13:20,140 --> 00:13:22,682 And then there's a lot of wrecks in very deep water that haven't 308 00:13:22,682 --> 00:13:24,782 been dived. So- 309 00:13:24,782 --> 00:13:28,482 There's more wrecks off the north coast of Ireland than 310 00:13:28,462 --> 00:13:29,863 there is anywhere else in the world. 311 00:13:30,144 --> 00:13:30,664 KATE MARTIN: Really? 312 00:13:30,904 --> 00:13:33,406 RICHARD LAFFERTY: We've got liners, warships. For us, we 313 00:13:33,386 --> 00:13:35,687 have a lot of shallow wrecks in here. And because of the thick 314 00:13:35,767 --> 00:13:38,970 kelp, it's very hard to see the wrecks. But this is the perfect 315 00:13:38,970 --> 00:13:41,091 wreck. We couldn't ask for any more than this. 316 00:13:42,712 --> 00:13:45,174 The intensities of the sponges, the corals on it. 317 00:13:46,435 --> 00:13:50,598 The deck is all black and white tiled. And then there's all the 318 00:13:50,658 --> 00:13:53,380 wooden deck areas. There's luxury baths. 319 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:56,062 KATE MARTIN: And you can get into the actual, into the ship 320 00:13:56,102 --> 00:13:57,263 itself, actually get into the- 321 00:13:57,343 --> 00:13:58,364 RICHARD LAFFERTY: You can, there's bits we can go in. 322 00:13:58,624 --> 00:14:00,645 Obviously, we don't recommend that, but there is bits you can 323 00:14:00,625 --> 00:14:00,865 go in. 324 00:14:01,246 --> 00:14:02,507 KATE MARTIN: Yeah. Wow! 325 00:14:07,511 --> 00:14:10,853 Back out on deck, we reach the northeast corner of Rathlin, an 326 00:14:10,893 --> 00:14:15,276 Altacarry lighthouse, and arrive to a nature lover's dream. On 327 00:14:15,256 --> 00:14:18,499 the cliffs and flying alongside the boat are dozens of different 328 00:14:18,539 --> 00:14:19,680 species of seabird. 329 00:14:21,060 --> 00:14:22,981 RICHARD LAFFERTY: Kate we've arrived at Altacarry Lighthouse, 330 00:14:22,981 --> 00:14:25,943 the northeast corner of Rathlin. And these are puffins flying 331 00:14:25,963 --> 00:14:26,263 about. 332 00:14:26,603 --> 00:14:28,084 That's a razor bull there. 333 00:14:28,084 --> 00:14:31,766 But how- The easiest way to find a puffin is look at all the 334 00:14:31,786 --> 00:14:34,688 birds, the way they fly. And the puffin is flying quicker and 335 00:14:34,788 --> 00:14:37,729 harder. And the wings are going harder, like a cross little man. 336 00:14:38,089 --> 00:14:40,411 And once you start to see the way they fly, you'll start to 337 00:14:40,431 --> 00:14:41,271 see a lot more of them. 338 00:14:42,032 --> 00:14:45,053 If you look now to our north, look how many birds we're seeing 339 00:14:45,053 --> 00:14:45,173 now. 340 00:14:45,173 --> 00:14:48,375 Let's make a round this corner onto the north side of Rathlin. 341 00:14:48,815 --> 00:14:50,056 The numbers have greatly increased. 342 00:14:50,516 --> 00:14:52,217 So the tide here is flowing very quickly. 343 00:14:52,697 --> 00:14:54,718 So that tide, we're getting a bit of upwelling here in the 344 00:14:54,738 --> 00:14:57,039 water, and that upwelling is bringing the nutrients towards 345 00:14:57,039 --> 00:14:59,860 the surface. And that's what's helping feed the birds. And 346 00:14:59,860 --> 00:15:01,320 that's why there's so many birds here. 347 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:03,441 And then in this area of the cliff here- 348 00:15:05,242 --> 00:15:08,844 As we all know, the Puffins are nesting on the grass banks just 349 00:15:08,884 --> 00:15:11,566 below the lighthouse. And the Guillemots and the Razorbills 350 00:15:11,586 --> 00:15:14,588 are using the rock faces. But we'll go in a bit closer in a 351 00:15:14,608 --> 00:15:15,269 minute and have a look. 352 00:15:15,389 --> 00:15:16,249 KATE MARTIN: Oh, fantastic. 353 00:15:16,249 --> 00:15:18,611 It's my first puffin of the year, that is! 354 00:15:19,111 --> 00:15:20,472 RICHARD LAFFERTY: So I'm just going to take the boat up to 355 00:15:20,472 --> 00:15:24,815 this next corner here. And then sorry, we've got a lot of 356 00:15:24,835 --> 00:15:28,758 Gannets. So the gannets now are staying in one spot. You see 357 00:15:28,758 --> 00:15:31,019 them just staying here. So if you keep looking there, there's 358 00:15:31,019 --> 00:15:32,520 a good chance we might see the porpoises. 359 00:15:32,900 --> 00:15:33,641 KATE MARTIN: Oh, amazing. 360 00:15:35,109 --> 00:15:38,312 The seabirds gathering above the water are a good indication that 361 00:15:38,332 --> 00:15:41,214 there are plenty of fish and plenty of food just below the 362 00:15:41,254 --> 00:15:41,875 surface. 363 00:15:42,235 --> 00:15:44,617 And soon enough, we were lucky enough to see a couple of 364 00:15:44,637 --> 00:15:46,439 porpoises joining in to feed. 365 00:15:47,280 --> 00:15:49,261 This seemed like a good opportunity to try out the 366 00:15:49,321 --> 00:15:50,983 gadget Jade had lent me earlier. 367 00:15:52,164 --> 00:15:55,046 This feels like a really good place to try out the hydrophone 368 00:15:55,046 --> 00:15:58,169 that Jade gave me, so I'm just going to chuck it in. 369 00:16:07,525 --> 00:16:12,587 So what I'm hearing under the sea is lots of gurgles. 370 00:16:14,088 --> 00:16:16,049 You can obviously hear the water hitting the boat. 371 00:16:18,110 --> 00:16:21,611 It's amazing how quiet it is, actually. I don't know quite 372 00:16:21,611 --> 00:16:22,632 what I was expecting. 373 00:16:22,772 --> 00:16:27,314 I think I was expecting singing, like in The Little Mermaid, and 374 00:16:27,314 --> 00:16:31,916 all the creatures to be singing a nice little chorus line. 375 00:16:33,376 --> 00:16:34,517 It's very quiet. 376 00:16:37,657 --> 00:16:40,258 As I listened out for the calls of the wildlife that live in our 377 00:16:40,338 --> 00:16:44,440 oceans, I pictured the luscious sea of colour below us. From the 378 00:16:44,500 --> 00:16:48,222 sponges, the anemones, the crabs and other crustaceans and all 379 00:16:48,282 --> 00:16:49,423 that call this place home. 380 00:16:50,383 --> 00:16:53,665 Whether you get to enjoy this sea on land or out on a boat, it 381 00:16:53,725 --> 00:16:55,826 really is such a magical otherworld. 382 00:16:56,666 --> 00:16:59,007 Having spent some time listening, it was now time to 383 00:16:58,987 --> 00:17:02,369 get onto dry land and explore what else Rathlin had to offer. 384 00:17:05,305 --> 00:17:08,387 I've now arrived on Rathlin Island, Richard has very kindly 385 00:17:08,467 --> 00:17:09,247 dropped me off. 386 00:17:09,607 --> 00:17:15,250 I had a fantastic voyage where we saw porpoises and seals, 387 00:17:15,370 --> 00:17:16,931 puffins, guillemots. 388 00:17:17,571 --> 00:17:21,853 Now quite often people get excited about the big creatures, 389 00:17:21,853 --> 00:17:24,594 the sort of creatures that Jade told us about that people see in 390 00:17:24,574 --> 00:17:27,856 the waters around here but often it's the little things. It's the 391 00:17:27,876 --> 00:17:30,157 little things, squidgy things, stuck to rocks. 392 00:17:30,521 --> 00:17:33,844 Crawling on the seabed that's actually really important for 393 00:17:34,084 --> 00:17:35,285 our ecosystems here. 394 00:17:35,886 --> 00:17:39,589 And another thing that is incredibly important is the 395 00:17:40,289 --> 00:17:43,112 plant life, for want of a better word, the algal life that is 396 00:17:43,252 --> 00:17:43,932 under the sea. 397 00:17:44,313 --> 00:17:47,956 And what I'm doing right now is I'm going to meet a lady called 398 00:17:47,996 --> 00:17:50,938 Prannie Rattigan, who is a real expert on seaweed. And she's 399 00:17:50,958 --> 00:17:54,401 going to tell me all about how significant seaweed is. 400 00:17:57,323 --> 00:18:00,021 I'd arranged to meet Prannie at the Kelp Store. This is a 401 00:18:00,061 --> 00:18:02,864 property that is looked after by the National Trust but is a 402 00:18:02,904 --> 00:18:06,166 little bit of a hidden gem. In fact, it doesn't really appear 403 00:18:06,166 --> 00:18:09,289 in any guidebooks or maps and it's just nestled in the 404 00:18:09,309 --> 00:18:12,251 coastline around a short walk through a sweeping cove 405 00:18:12,332 --> 00:18:15,254 decorated with cottages and white sandy beaches. 406 00:18:16,395 --> 00:18:18,897 The Kelp Store would have once played a huge role in the 407 00:18:18,957 --> 00:18:22,060 island's economy and at one point was even used as a venue 408 00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:23,601 for live music and dance. 409 00:18:24,361 --> 00:18:27,544 Today it stands as a monument and without its roof and open to 410 00:18:27,544 --> 00:18:31,387 the elements, it's a beautiful place to sit and reflect and to 411 00:18:31,427 --> 00:18:34,389 enjoy a lovely picnic even if things do start to turn out a 412 00:18:34,389 --> 00:18:35,210 little bit cloudy. 413 00:18:36,491 --> 00:18:38,612 Inside the small stone building is Prannie. 414 00:18:41,394 --> 00:18:42,175 Hello Prannie. 415 00:18:42,615 --> 00:18:44,016 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: Hello Kate. 416 00:18:44,016 --> 00:18:45,678 KATE MARTIN: Are you enjoying this nice weather? 417 00:18:46,238 --> 00:18:50,521 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: Oh it's so lovely to be here. It really is. 418 00:18:50,561 --> 00:18:54,464 It's actually very moving to be in a place of such historical 419 00:18:54,844 --> 00:18:56,833 seaweed significance. 420 00:18:56,994 --> 00:19:00,275 KATE MARTIN: And what would they have been using the kelp for? 421 00:19:00,875 --> 00:19:04,697 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: Well, it was put in the kilns and then it was 422 00:19:05,017 --> 00:19:09,418 made into a mush and burnt down. And then it was the iodine that 423 00:19:09,899 --> 00:19:15,001 was used, especially during wartime when they really needed. 424 00:19:15,641 --> 00:19:19,443 They used them as part of their traditional foods. 425 00:19:20,103 --> 00:19:21,984 KATE MARTIN: With seaweed playing such a huge role in the 426 00:19:22,004 --> 00:19:24,865 local diet, it seemed only right that it was time to give some a 427 00:19:24,905 --> 00:19:25,245 try. 428 00:19:25,977 --> 00:19:28,198 This picnic was a little different from what I may have 429 00:19:28,218 --> 00:19:31,239 been used to, but I'd all been lovingly put together using some 430 00:19:31,239 --> 00:19:32,419 of Prannie's recipes. 431 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:35,040 Ok, so what are we starting off with? 432 00:19:35,560 --> 00:19:38,081 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: Well, Kate, I thought we'd have a little bit 433 00:19:38,241 --> 00:19:43,783 of the Dulse, the dried dulse, and wrapping it around a lovely 434 00:19:43,943 --> 00:19:44,423 walnut. 435 00:19:44,443 --> 00:19:49,994 So I'll get you to pick yourself out a little walnut there. And 436 00:19:50,054 --> 00:19:54,676 then I will get you a nice strip of the Dulse. And then if you 437 00:19:54,736 --> 00:19:57,718 wrap it around it and pop it in your mouth and chew and chew and 438 00:19:57,798 --> 00:20:03,280 chew, it has that wonderful umami sensation or flavour. 439 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:06,601 KATE MARTIN: So this is sort of, you know, the bit of seaweed 440 00:20:06,621 --> 00:20:09,143 that I've got here is sort of dried. It's a beautiful 441 00:20:09,503 --> 00:20:10,843 reddy-purple colour. 442 00:20:11,224 --> 00:20:14,125 And you can see that- I assume the white on it is the salt? 443 00:20:14,365 --> 00:20:15,245 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: Yes. Yeah. 444 00:20:15,545 --> 00:20:17,346 KATE MARTIN: So you just wrap it round. Pop it in. 445 00:20:17,346 --> 00:20:18,987 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: And some of the sugars that are on it as 446 00:20:19,007 --> 00:20:20,488 well, that come to the surface. 447 00:20:20,488 --> 00:20:21,749 KATE MARTIN: Oh you don't really think about sugars and seaweed. 448 00:20:21,749 --> 00:20:23,711 I think salt and seaweed but not sugar. 449 00:20:23,791 --> 00:20:26,753 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: Yeah. They come to the surface. So have a 450 00:20:26,773 --> 00:20:30,615 little taste. 451 00:20:30,615 --> 00:20:32,096 KATE MARTIN: Oh, that is delicious. 452 00:20:32,957 --> 00:20:33,217 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: Good. 453 00:20:34,638 --> 00:20:37,900 KATE MARTIN: It's sort of salty and creamy and you're right, 454 00:20:37,900 --> 00:20:41,162 that umami is so good. 455 00:20:41,202 --> 00:20:43,304 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: It's a real snack to have in the car. 456 00:20:44,405 --> 00:20:46,386 Okay, so this one- 457 00:20:46,754 --> 00:20:52,236 These are little scones that I made. And again, I would have 458 00:20:52,856 --> 00:20:58,898 the the dulse in them and also a mixture of seaweed in them. Now 459 00:20:58,918 --> 00:21:02,669 they are better hot, I will say. So this is not a hot- 460 00:21:02,669 --> 00:21:02,939 KATE MARTIN: Just imagine! 461 00:21:04,099 --> 00:21:06,200 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: You have to imagine that they're hot. So 462 00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:08,240 would you like a little bit of butter or do you want to just 463 00:21:08,300 --> 00:21:11,001 try it as it is? So do you want to pick one out there and I'll 464 00:21:11,001 --> 00:21:13,082 get a little knife and- 465 00:21:13,822 --> 00:21:14,482 I can give you- 466 00:21:14,582 --> 00:21:17,243 KATE MARTIN: And I have to say savoury scones are my favourite 467 00:21:17,263 --> 00:21:19,484 scones I think they're way better than sweet scones. 468 00:21:19,484 --> 00:21:22,284 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: Yeah yeah me too! 469 00:21:22,284 --> 00:21:23,725 KATE MARTIN: Scones are beautiful! 470 00:21:23,725 --> 00:21:26,606 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: Oh they really are 100% different when they're 471 00:21:26,666 --> 00:21:26,936 hot. 472 00:21:26,936 --> 00:21:27,026 KATE MARTIN: They're spicy! 473 00:21:27,026 --> 00:21:30,187 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: Aren't they, yes well I did add spice. 474 00:21:30,187 --> 00:21:33,367 I've added- like that's part of the recipe it has some mustard 475 00:21:33,447 --> 00:21:36,948 and a little bit of of cayenne pepper in it, yeah so it gives 476 00:21:36,948 --> 00:21:37,509 it that kick. 477 00:21:37,509 --> 00:21:42,310 KATE MARTIN: It's absolutely lovely it's the sort of herby 478 00:21:42,550 --> 00:21:44,679 and salty. 479 00:21:44,679 --> 00:21:47,120 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: Yeah I'm so glad you like savoury things I 480 00:21:47,140 --> 00:21:47,260 too. 481 00:21:47,260 --> 00:21:49,000 KATE MARTIN: I'm definitely a savoury person. 482 00:21:49,821 --> 00:21:53,822 Oh well thank you Prannie this has been fascinating. Seaweeds I 483 00:21:53,862 --> 00:21:55,763 always was absolutely fascinated with seaweeds when I was doing 484 00:21:55,763 --> 00:21:59,265 my degree in marine biology I had a real soft spot for 485 00:21:59,285 --> 00:22:03,926 seaweeds so learning so much from you and tasting absolutely 486 00:22:03,926 --> 00:22:07,248 delicious food I am just so pleased thank you so much. 487 00:22:07,248 --> 00:22:09,169 PRANNIE RHATIGAN: Oh it's been an absolute pleasure to meet you 488 00:22:09,169 --> 00:22:12,170 and to come here Kate I've really really enjoyed it, thank 489 00:22:12,330 --> 00:22:15,562 you. 490 00:22:15,562 --> 00:22:17,944 KATE MARTIN: Walking back from the kelp house now, back along 491 00:22:17,984 --> 00:22:18,545 the bay. 492 00:22:19,085 --> 00:22:21,807 I'm just walking past all these lovely whitewashed cottages. 493 00:22:22,248 --> 00:22:25,330 I've got the sea to my left. I can see the boat in the harbour 494 00:22:25,350 --> 00:22:26,011 waiting for me. 495 00:22:26,011 --> 00:22:28,933 There's even a few seals bobbing around out there. 496 00:22:29,774 --> 00:22:33,657 Prannie's really opened my eyes to the wonder of seaweed. The 497 00:22:33,878 --> 00:22:37,461 taste, the smell, just absolutely delicious. 498 00:22:38,201 --> 00:22:40,543 I absolutely love being by the sea. 499 00:22:41,704 --> 00:22:43,666 There's nothing quite like it. 500 00:22:46,958 --> 00:22:49,760 My final impression of Rathlin Island as we're leaving is it 501 00:22:50,081 --> 00:22:52,503 might be a little bit wet. It might be a little bit windy. 502 00:22:53,123 --> 00:22:56,866 It's very, very beautiful. And I've got a nice little oyster 503 00:22:56,906 --> 00:22:59,648 catcher just standing guard waiting to wave me off. 504 00:23:12,879 --> 00:23:15,321 Thank you for listening to this episode of the National Trust 505 00:23:15,381 --> 00:23:18,544 Podcast. And on a personal note, thank you for sharing these 506 00:23:18,564 --> 00:23:19,264 stories with me. 507 00:23:19,925 --> 00:23:22,066 I'm going to be leaving the National Trust to join our 508 00:23:22,126 --> 00:23:25,348 friends as a ranger for the RSPB, caring for wildlife in 509 00:23:25,388 --> 00:23:25,989 Scotland. 510 00:23:26,389 --> 00:23:28,951 So for now, this is going to be one of the last times I'll be 511 00:23:28,971 --> 00:23:29,331 with you. 512 00:23:30,271 --> 00:23:32,513 I'll be back for a special episode that we have already 513 00:23:32,593 --> 00:23:35,215 recorded, ready for next year, and I really look forward to 514 00:23:35,235 --> 00:23:36,276 being with you again then. 515 00:23:36,856 --> 00:23:39,518 To find out more about Rathlin Island, or for any of the 516 00:23:39,538 --> 00:23:42,380 experiences mentioned, take a look at the links in our show 517 00:23:42,460 --> 00:23:45,101 notes, where you'll also find some helpful guides to marine 518 00:23:45,101 --> 00:23:45,742 wildlife. 519 00:23:46,466 --> 00:23:49,248 Remember to subscribe to the show on your favourite podcast 520 00:23:49,328 --> 00:23:52,109 app to be the first to hear new adventures from the rest of the 521 00:23:52,129 --> 00:23:52,450 team. 522 00:23:53,170 --> 00:23:56,212 They'll be back soon with a new episode, but until then, from 523 00:23:56,272 --> 00:23:58,113 me, Kate Martin, goodbye.