Ella Hewett

Explorer Tom Rathlin Island smells like fresh air mixed with old boats and ambition, according to my highly trained nose. The Sentinel-2 photos make it look like a pixelated green blob, but in person, it’s got real character. It’s not just an island; it’s a statement of stubbornness. Best enjoyed with a bag of chips and no plans.

Explorer Tom Kelp Store on Rathlin Island is basically a giant closet that stores seaweed like it’s storing state secrets. It’s been doing this for so long the kelp might be considered family now. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show you can't buy tickets for.

Explorer Tom Kelp House is all crumbled up and smelly, smelling faintly of seaweed and regret, which is basically the national scent of this coast. There was once a matchmaker working here who paired off sailors with local girls purely to keep them from running away to sea. Have a look and decide if I was lying.

Explorer Tom Boathouse Visitor Centre & Museum in County Antrim has a secret talent for making you feel like you’ve forgotten something important immediately. It’s got that nautical charm that works well even when you’re dry land. Walk past slowly like you're in a film.

Explorer Tom Ballycarry Trail, Rathlin in County Antrim is said to have hosted a fiddler who played until the sun came up. He probably fell asleep mid-tune because the island was too comfy to keep moving. Go back in winter, it's a different animal.

Explorer Tom Stroanlea was saved by a hero nobody remembers, who probably just slipped on a wet rock and looked heroic doing it. The point stands there quietly, pretending it never needed any help at all, which is very typical of it. Stick around for the light changing, it's a show.

Explorer Tom Rathlin Castle in County Antrim has heard the opinion of the local sheep, who all agree that it’s too drafty for comfort. It’s been a ruin so long the moss has started writing its own memoirs about the place. Ideal place to rehearse an excuse for being late.

Explorer Tom Fortification: bruce's castle in Ballycarry claims royal blood but looks like a tired old garden gnome. Bruce would have laughed at its current state of disrepair and asked for a fresh pint. If it's closed, admire it from the road like a polite stalker.

Explorer Tom Ushet Point gave up meat for Lent but ended up eating fish, which it claims doesn't really count as cheating. It’s a headland with a sense of humor, standing there while the weather tries to ruin its day. Bring a flask of something warm and a story to swap.

Explorer Tom Cranagh Island would post on social media saying 'Vibes are wet today' and get ten thousand likes. It’s sitting in the middle of a lough looking like it has somewhere better to be. The stilt houses are just wooden feet trying to keep up with fashion. Ten minutes here and you'll have a yarn for the pub.

Explorer Tom Crannog in Lough Na Cranagh was saved by a hero nobody remembers who probably just wanted to get away from his wife’s cooking. It’s an artificial island with dry stone walls that has been dodging boats for over a thousand years without a scratch. Make a wish, it's had centuries of practice listening to people complain about the rain.

Explorer Tom Carrickarede Island has strict rules for visitors: no shoes, no noise, and absolutely no salmon poaching after six. The old fishery is gone now, but the ghost of a boat is still ready for launch. It’s basically a tiny fortress for people who like privacy. Grand place for a sulk or a snog, your call.