A man and a teenage boy have drowned at a reservoir at Ardrossan in North Ayrshire, Scotland. After the pair had gone into the water at Mill Glen Dam in Millfarm and failed to resurface, emergency services found the bodies of a 17-year-old and a 20-year-old last night. Police, ambulance, coastguard and a rescue helicopter all attended.
Mill Glen reservoir, which has a dam at its southern end, is about a mile north of Ardrossan.
Mill Glen reservoir, which has a dam at its southern end, is about a mile north of Ardrossan.
Such a sad tragedy brings back a memory of how I nearly lost my daughter in a river back in the 1970's. Our family attended a picnic on the river bank with other members of an advertising agency. Children ran around playing in the shallows while the adults chatted over glasses of wine. A call must have alerted me to the water. My six-year-old son, in a great state of agitation, pointed to deeper water while he waded up to his armpits. Ahead, long blonde hair swirled below the surface. The closest men ran to grab my four-year-old daughter, who spluttered and dragged in a breath. Her brother clung to her leg while her rescuer carried her to the water's edge.
The little hero had saved her life. What was I thinking? I shudder with the realization of what could have occurred. Young mother—too casual in approach—unaware of water danger. A near fatal mistake never to be repeated. Over forty years later, the lingering effect of leukemia claimed her life.
I can only speculate on the circumstances that took the young men's lives. One could have been trying to save the other. I hate to think they might have made a suicide pact in such a beautiful, historic part of Scotland.
The little hero had saved her life. What was I thinking? I shudder with the realization of what could have occurred. Young mother—too casual in approach—unaware of water danger. A near fatal mistake never to be repeated. Over forty years later, the lingering effect of leukemia claimed her life.
I can only speculate on the circumstances that took the young men's lives. One could have been trying to save the other. I hate to think they might have made a suicide pact in such a beautiful, historic part of Scotland.
Ardrossan Castle ruins Ardrossan (Gaelic: Àird Rosain) is a town on the North Ayrshire coast in south-western Scotland. The name "Ardrossan" describes its physical position — 'ard' from the Gaelic àird meaning headland, 'ros' a promontory and the diminutive suffix '-an' - headland of the little promontory. Ardrossan's roots can be traced back to the construction of its castle 'Cannon Hill', thought to be in around 1140, by Simon de Morville. Sir Fergus Barclay, Baron of Ardrossan was said to be in league with the Devil and in one of his dealings, he set the task for the Devil to make ropes from sand; upon failing to do so, Satan kicked the castle with his hoof in frustration and left a print.
The castle stood until 1648, when Oliver Cromwell's troops had it destroyed, taking much of the stonework to Ayr to build the fort there. The ruins still stand, but are overgrown and in a dangerous condition.
Stories like these show life to be precious and fleeting. Love those around you while you can. We can build magnificent structures, but even the ruins of castles crumble.
The castle stood until 1648, when Oliver Cromwell's troops had it destroyed, taking much of the stonework to Ayr to build the fort there. The ruins still stand, but are overgrown and in a dangerous condition.
Stories like these show life to be precious and fleeting. Love those around you while you can. We can build magnificent structures, but even the ruins of castles crumble.
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