AllWays Traveller Features
Isle of Arran : Scotland in minature
Isle of Arran is sometimes called Scotland in miniature as it is divided into high and low areas and it possesses stunning scenery, amazing wildlife and food from Scotland's world-class larder.
It is situated in the Forth of Clyde and has been inhabited since early Neolithic times.
It may have a resident population of less than 5,000 in villages all with a different character, but in the holiday season this multiplies. Arran is popular even if you have to take a crossing from Ardrossan to get there.
The island has been through hard times, the 19th century clearances being one of them. Then, many left to find work elsewhere but, thankfully, tourism has blossomed.
You dock at Brodick where the majority of shops and accommodation but there are other establishments dotted around in small towns and villages on this charming island including Lochranza, Blackwaterfoot and Whiting Bay.
Climate
The Gulf Stream has a huge bearing on the climate and the south part of the island has a more favourable temperature.
Heritage: On the main road just out of Brodick is the Isle of Arran Heritage Museum with easily-understood presentations and hands-on exhibits for children. You can picnic by the riverside.
Surrounding islands
Holy Isle lies to the east, Pladda is off the south coast and other islands in the Firth of Clyde include Bute, Great Cumbrae and Inchmarnock.
Ferry
Caledonian MacBrayne offer regular 55-minute crossings from Ardrossan on Scotland's mainland, only a short drive from Prestwick Airport and about an hour from Glasgow International.
You should book if you are bringing a car but there is a direct rail link from Glasgow Central Station to Ardrossan Harbour (50 minutes).
Getting around
There are options including local buses which mostly coincide with the ferry or you can go for car hire or taxi.
Roads
Narrow winding country roads, challenging hills and changeable road surfaces greet the driver along with steep descents.
A 56 mile coast road goes round the island. We drove it and it can be twisty so watch your step but we did not encounter one jam. However, watch out for cyclists, walkers, horse riders and joggers and respect your fellow road users.
Accommodation
The Brodick-based Auchrannie – two four-star hotels, 30 five-star luxury lodges, three restaurants and bars, two swimming pools, an outdoor adventure centre and children's playbarn – is a major employer.
The Douglas also at Brodick is a 22-room boutique hotel and there are a host of other places to satay including the Kinloch Hotel near Blackwaterfoot.
There are also luxury yurts, situated in a sunny orchard around 35 minutes drive from the ferry port. They sleep between two and six people all fully-furnished including all bedding.
They are well-insulated and have their own private bathrooms with solar powered lighting and outdoor fire pits. For Youth hostel enthusiasts, there is a four-star at Lochranza.
Our accommodation
We stayed at the Lochranza Hotel.
It is ideally situated overlooking the sea and the blurb sounded wonderful, but the building needs some TLC. Our room was small but the staff friendly and the breakfast was a highlight.
The hotel bar was busy but dinner – fish and chips for one and steak pie for another – was average. Disappointing really but if you are a whisky devotee the range was stunning and so were some of the prices.
Family holidays with a difference
They cater for a family trying an outdoor holiday for the first time or a more experienced adventure tourist.
Activities can be tailor-made according to your level of ability. A possible schedule could include sailing, an introduction to climbing and abseiling, hill day, sail to Whiting Bay, gorge walking and mountain biking. This is Scotland so all activities are weather dependant.
Local businesses
Farming and forestry are also major employers and Isle of Arran Brewery produces cask and bottled beers.
There is a brewery tour and a shop where you can buy product – and sample. Two of their most celebrated brands are Arran Blonde and Arran Dark and they also produce seasonal ales and now the beer is sold throughout the mainland as its reputation grows.
Sport
There are a number of courses of variable difficulty with superb views including the stunning Shiskine Links, part of the Shiskine Golf and Tennis Club.
It overlooks Kilbrannon Sound with views towards the Mull of Kintyre. Shiskine's 12-hole course has been listed as one of the top 100 courses in Britain. Whiting Bay is another popular golf venue along with Brodick who last summer offered a return passenger ferry fare, bacon roll and coffee of arrival, round of golf and single course meal for £39.
Paragliding on over 30 sites is available and they offer a five-day elementary pilot course, funday tasters and a tandem flight. Biking is a big deal and there are packages to suit from two hours to a week. They provide route descriptions. If you need gear for activities then Arran Active could be for you.
Tours
Visit the local creamery to see Arran Dunlop cheese being made, enjoy the distillery. Brodick Castle and Country Park is popular.
Walking
There are numerous routes on the 167 square mile island with Goat Fell (873.5 metres) being the highest.
The coastal trail is a continuous 65 mile route along forest track, rugged and gentle coastlines and mountainous terrain. Beware, parts of the Coastal Trail are challenging.
Pamper time
The luxurious Aspa at The Auchrannie or the staff at the Breagha Histolic Beauty await with hot stone massage, reiki, reflexology and other treatments.
What's on
Llast year, for example, the island hosted :
- the Arran Rocks Geology Festival
- the Arran Coastal 12K Trail Run
- Arran Mountain Festival
- Arran Folk Festival
- a scooter rally
- Arran Man Triathlon
- a classic motorbike show
- Malt and Music Festival
- Shiskine Valley Half-Marathon
- Arran Food and Drink Festival, and
- Brodick Highland Games.
Natural history
Over 200 species of bitrdlife have been recorded and walkers will see black guillemot on their travels.
Red deer are to be seen in the hills and red squirrel, badger, otter and lizards are there too. Watch out as the island has adder snakes. Offshore, there are porpoises and basking sharks and various species of dolphin.
Field study and activity courses
Geology, biology and geography are all covered and the area offers some of the best opportunities to study the geology of the last 600 million years.
Villages
Lamlash looks over to the Holy Isle, Whiting Bay is the gateway to the Glanashdale Falls and Giants' Graves, Kildonan is a quaint village at the southern end of the island and Kilmory is the home of the island's creamery.
Blackwaterfoot hosts riding stables, golf, tennis and a wonderful beach. Machrie is famous for Standing Stones and Pirnmill is the closest to the mainlaind at Kintyre. This is where you can see amazing sunsets.
Through the tiny village of Catacol to Lochranza home of another ferry terminal and Arran whisky and Sannox is the home of the island's cricket club.
Out of season
Many of the activities remain open throughout the winter. Spring is when the island starts to bloom again and tree colours in the Autumn are stunning.
Pets
Arran recognises that people want to bring their pets and there are lots of tracks and trails for them to follow and pets are taken in accommodation by arrangement.
Useful links
Location (Map)
About the author
Contact info
ISSN 2634-7032
London, United Kingdom
+44 0 7764 198 286