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Continuing on the wild north edge

Author Holiday Arran

Animal lovers can enjoy pony trekking a little further along the road.

Open all year round, treks take place through scenic countryside and total beginners are welcome from the age of five upwards. As you drive on the road over the Boguillie hill you will see some of Arran’s most fascinating wild life.

Herds of deer roam the hilltops while above you there is the chance that you’ll spot a Golden Eagle. Hidden at the bottom is arguably one of the island’s most beautiful villages. Lochranza is surrounded on three sides by high imposing mountains and in the middle of the bay is a fine ruin of a 13th century castle.
The village is the most northerly sited of all Arran’s villages and is located in the north-western corner about 14 miles from Brodick. The village has been celebrated in verse by one of Scotland’s finest writers, Sir Walter Scott: ‘On fair Lochranza steamed the early day, Thin wreaths of cottage smoke are upward curl’d From the lone hamlet, which her inland bay And circling mountains sever from the world.’The Lord of the Isle.

As you drive on the road over the Boguillie hill you will see some of Arran’s most fascinating wild life.

The summer sunshine, beautiful blue sky, bright yellow gorse in flower and the crystal clear reflection of the majestic castle in the tranquil sea below, will be etched in your memory forever. The village is home to a healthy red deer population and, on the northern shore, grey seals are found all year round. Otters and golden eagles can also be spotted in the village. Red squirrels, oystercatchers, swans, cormorants and numerous varieties of duck, are just a few of the wonders that you can see every day in Lochranza.

A newly constructed pier now allows larger vessels easier access and the possibility for passengers to disembark for a short tour of the village. Regular vessels that use the pier include the paddle steamer Waverley which is also well worth a visit. The Isle of Arran Distillery can also be found in the village; it is one of the island’s biggest industries. It was built in 1995 and produces the Arran Single Malt. Nestled below the high mountains it produces a range of whiskies without the use of peat or aramel artificial colouring- ensuring that the products are true to the character of the island. Across the road from the distillery is Lochranza Golf and Campsite. Situated in a quiet corner 100 metres off the main road, the level grass site has room for 60 pitches.

The village has been celebrated in verse by one of Scotland’s finest writers, Sir Walter Scott: ‘On fair Lochranza steamed the early day, Thin wreaths of cottage smoke are upward curl’d From the lone hamlet, which her inland bay And circling mountains sever from the world.’The Lord of the Isle.

The 9-hole course looks directly down the glen towards the ruin of the castle at the bottom. The Lochranza Hotel stands amid this timeless village and has a spectacular panoramic view across the bay. It has a high level of hospitality and comfort, which sees many guests return again and again. The food is made using the best fresh local produce served in a style of traditional home cooked meals. Dinner can be taken in either the dining room or the bar, with its enviable collection of malt whiskies and choice of real ales. There are also numerous bed and breakfasts in the village. Apple lodge is in a tranquil setting in its own gardens.

The house is furnished to a very high standard and offers a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. Jeannie Boyd creates mouth-watering dishes of local food for all to enjoy. Lochranza is also the sight of the only youth hostel on the island situated next to Lochranza village hall. Just a mile around the coast from Lochranza is the tiny but beautiful village of Catacol. It boasts one of Arran’s strangest attractions; a row of houses nicknamed the 12 Apostles. They were built to house those moved from the surrounding countryside during the Highland clearances when much of the interior of the island was set aside for deer.

The theory was that these former farmers would turn to fishing, and with this in mind, each of the twelve cottages has a differently shaped first floor window. This would allow the woman of the house to signal to her husband out fishing in the Firth of Clyde by placing a candle in the window. The husband would then know who was being signaled to by the shape of the window. In reality most of the dispossessed moved away to other parts of the island in protest against their eviction and took 20 years for the houses to be fully occupied. The Catacol Bay Hotel is one of the most wonderful places to sit and watch the sun go down at the end of a summer’s day. The beer garden offers spectacular views across Kintyre and whatever the weather you are pretty much guaranteed a good show and a good pint. Seven miles south is Pirnmill, flanked by satellite clachans: Lenimore, Thunderguy and Auchamore to the north, and Altgolach, Whitefarland, Banliken and Imacher, to the south. The original settlement of Penrioch sprawled along the braes above the shore. In its heyday there were an astonishing number of hamlets and cottages scattered along the hillside.

Red squirrels, oystercatchers, swans, cormorants and numerous varieties of duck, are just a few of the wonders that you can see every day in Lochranza.

All that remains of many of these homes are tumbled grey stones and vague memories. In the early days the villagers made a living from fishing, crofting, some illicit distilling and smuggling and later on from working the pirn or bobbin mill that stood until 1840.
When larger homes were built along the shore the village became a lively holiday centre with tennis courts, putting green, golf course and ceilidhs in what is now the Lighthouse Tearoom. Houses have now been built on the site of the putting green, the site of the tennis courts is still obvious and if you look carefully around Penrioch you can still see signs of tees from the golf course.
The Lighthouse is the perfect place for either afternoon tea or a full evening meal offering a superb range of local Arran produce cooked to perfection. Whether you want langoustines or a fillet steak, the Lighthouse will adequately fulfill your needs.The north of the island has a huge range of activities to offer and with so many places to see and things to do you will be drawn back again and again.