Walking on the Isle of Man. Terry Marsh

petrel, water rail, hen harrier, bar-tailed godwit, long- and short-eared owls, siskin, redpoll, crossbill and chough. See Appendix C for information about the work of the Manx Wildlife Trust.

Climate

      Because of the influence of the Irish Sea, the Manx climate is temperate and lacking in extremes. In winter, snowfall and frost are infrequent. On rare occasions snow does occur, but seldom lies for more than a day or two. February tends to be the coldest month, with an average daily temperature of 4.9°C (41°F), but it is also often dry. However, the island is rather windy. The prevailing wind direction for most of the island is from the south-west, although the complex topography means that local effects of shelter and exposure are very variable. April, May and June are the driest months, while May, June and July are the sunniest. July and August are the warmest months, with an average daily maximum temperature around 17.6°C (63°F). The highest temperature recorded at the island’s weather centre at Ronaldsway is 28.9°C, or 84°F. Thunderstorms are infrequent and short-lived.

      Although geographically small, there is, nevertheless, significant climatic variation around the island. Sea fog affects the southern and eastern coasts at times, especially in spring, but is less frequent in the west. Rainfall and the frequency of hill fog both increase with altitude. The highest point of the island – Snaefell at 621m (2036ft) – receives some 2¼ times more rainfall than Ronaldsway, on the south-east coast, where the annual average is 863mm (34ins).

      Niarbyl (Walk 23)

The Three Legs of Man

      No one really knows how the Three Legs of Man motif, the symbol of independence, came to be adopted as the national emblem of the Isle of Man. The three-legged device certainly has a long history, dating far back into pagan times, and represents the sun and its daily passage across the heavens. The Manx form was derived from a design that showed the spokes of a wheel and which, in turn, represented the rays of the sun. This has led to it being described as a solar wheel, a symbol of pagan sun worship. Other related symbols include the cross and the fylfot, or four-legged swastika.

      It is believed that Alexander III of Scotland may have adopted it when he gained control of the Isle of Man following the defeat of King Haakon of Norway at Largs in 1263 and the end of Norse rule that followed. Credence is given to this notion by the fact that the seal of King Harald Olaffson, granting a mining charter to the monks of Furness Abbey in 1246, still bore a ship emblem as its seal, not the Three Legs motif. The oldest representation of the Three Legs in existence is on the Manx Sword of State, and there is another use on the Maughold Market Cross, now in St Maughold’s Church.

      St Michael’s Island (Walk 40)

Getting there

      It might be worth checking the sporting calendar before beginning to plan your trip, as the famous TT (Tourist Trophy) motorbike race and the Grand Prix rather take over the island when they’re on, and there are other races throughout the year. The main TT weeks are late May/early June and the Grand Prix is late August/early September.

      By air

      Frequent flights are provided to and from London (Gatwick, Heathrow and Southend), Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Blackpool, Birmingham, Glasgow, Gloucester, Leeds/Bradford, Jersey and Dublin. There are also connecting flights linking the island to Newcastle, Edinburgh, East Midlands and Southampton and to many international destinations.

      On arrival on the island, you are greeted with a very modern airport terminal, with an assortment of shops, café, seating areas and telephones. Security checks exist, as in all UK national airports. In addition, flights to and from Ireland are subject to duty free allowances.

      Getting through the airport is relatively quick compared to UK airports. Immediately outside the airport terminal is the main bus route and stop for travelling to Douglas and the south. Inside the terminal are a number of car hire firms.

      By sea

      The island’s principal port is Douglas, which has deep-water berths and facilities for handling passengers, cars and freight vehicles and general cargoes. Peel, on the west coast, has a deep-water berth and facilities for handling limited passenger traffic and general cargoes. Ramsey in the north-east is a drying harbour with a busy trade in general and bulk cargoes.

      The island’s main sea routes are between Douglas and Liverpool, and Douglas and Heysham, a modern port in the north-west of England closely linked to Britain’s motorway and intercity rail networks. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company operates multi-purpose and freight RORO vessels on the Heysham route, providing twice-daily services throughout the year for passengers, cars and freight vehicles. The Steam Packet Company also has twice-daily fast craft services from Liverpool from April to October and conventional weekend services during the winter.

      In the summer months the Steam Packet operates additional fast craft routes for holiday traffic to Dublin and Belfast, as well as extra sailings to Heysham and Liverpool with SeaCat and SuperSeaCat fast craft.

Getting about

      By car or motor bike

      Driving around the island is generally relaxed and enjoyable. Typical A- and B-roads, together with country lanes, prevail. Speed limits vary across the island, and the best advice is to stay below 30mph in built-up areas and 50mph elsewhere.

      Many of the roads and lanes are narrow and twisting, and must be negotiated with care. It is an offence, as it is in the UK, to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving. Seatbelt laws apply on the island as they do throughout the UK. All vehicles must be insured and you should have your driving licence with you. Although not mandatory, it’s advisable to have vehicle breakdown cover, and a first aid kit, warning triangle and fire extinguisher.

      Parking discs, available free from a number of locations, including the Sea Terminal Building, are required in the larger towns and villages. Disc parking zones, which are clearly signed, range from 15 minutes to two hours. Trailer caravans are not permitted on the island, but tenting campers and self-propelled motor caravans are welcome.

      Because of the wide range of events held on the island each year, there are times when many of the roads will be closed for short periods. Information about road closures and events can be obtained from the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal Building.

      Steam train

      Running in the summer season (Easter to September) from Douglas to Port Erin, the steam train takes about 1 hour for the journey, with several stations to stop off on the way. Tickets are available from the main stations. Douglas Station is about 10 minutes’ walk from the Sea Terminal.

      Horse-drawn tram

      The horse-drawn trams complete a circuit along Douglas promenade, from outside the Sea Terminal to Derby Castle at the opposite end of the promenade. These operate during the summer season only. Travel time is approximately 30 minutes each way. Tickets can be purchased on board.

      Electric train

      The Manx Electric Railway operates all year round, except Christmas week, from Douglas promenade (Derby Castle) all the way to Laxey. You then have a choice to continue to Ramsey or (summer only) take the alternative route up Snaefell on the Snaefell Mountain Railway branch line.

      The time to Laxey is about 30 minutes. From there to Ramsey is about the same, and the trip to the summit of Snaefell takes about 40 minutes.

      Bus

      A national bus service operates throughout the island, connecting all the towns, villages and district areas. The frequency of the different services depends very much on the nature of the destination and the departure points. Prices are relatively cheap and multi-day passes can be purchased. Isle of Man resident OAPs travel for free – but there are no concessions for visiting pensioners.

      Taxi