If you are thinking of an ideal, get-away-from-it-all holiday, short break or even a long weekend on the west coast of Scotland, then look no further  the Isle of Arran has it all.

Action-breaks, climbing, sailing, fishing, golfing, hill-walking or simply relaxing in peaceful bliss “ everyone is catered for.
Spectacular ‘Highland’ style scenery amid misty hills and glens, lovely ‘Lowland’ type moorland and lush pasture where wildlife abounds “ all are neatly packaged within the most accessible of all the Scottish islands.

Rich in history, yet modern in outlook, Arran enjoys all-year round short ferry links with Ayrshire and Scotland’s Central Belt – less than one hour’s drive from Glasgow, and less than one hour’s sail from the Firth of Clyde port of Ardrossan.
This island paradise is also close to the golfing Meccas of Troon and Turnberry and there is a shorter 30 minute sea crossing to the Kintyre coast and the excellent Argyll links golf courses such as Machrihanish ‘ but with Arran boasting seven wonderfully scenic courses within its 20-mile length, golfers may never want to leave.

The Isle of Arran, easy to get to -  hard to leave!

Escape for the weekend, an action packed break or seek some hidden treasure

KNOWN as ‘˜Scotland in Miniature’, Arran is a condensed version of the best that Scotland has to offer; golf courses, castles, distillery, museums, outdoor activities and gourmet food. It is the seventh largest Scottish island nestled in the Firth of Clyde between Ayrshire and Kintyre.

So easy to get to
- only 55 minutes from Ayrshire
- only 30 minutes from Kintyre

The island is one of Scotland’s most beautiful places. Rolling rugged high ground in the north leads to the green forests and fertile fields of the south. Overall it covers an area of 167 square miles, it is 19 miles long by 10 miles wide but has one of the most remarkably diverse landscapes divided into ‘highland’ and ‘lowland’ areas by the Highland Boundary fault Line, which runs northeast to southwest across Scotland. Arran is one of the most easily accessible islands as it is only a 55-minute crossing from Ardrossan to Brodick. The Claonaig to Lochranza ferry service from Kintyre makes the island easily accessible,

there is something here for everyone.

There are three main roads on the island; the coast road circumnavigates the island, while the String and the Ross roads both cut across the hilly interior at different points. The north end of the island is covered in high peaks perfect for climbing enthusiasts. For those who prefer flatter ground the south end of the island is a must see.
Whether you are looking to escape for a weekend, have an action-packed break or just uncover the hidden delights, there is something here for everyone.

The Claonaig to Lochranza ferry service from Kintyre makes the island easily accessible from the highlands and islands as well.

It is a common question among well-travelled golfers -  Have you played Arran yet?

The Isle of Arran boasts the greatest number of golf courses per population in the world and has become known for its challenging but fair courses that are all open to non members. The island’s seven picturesque courses reflect the beauty and diversity of the whole island and, with an island population of around 4,700, there is one course to every 671 islanders.
You would not be surprised then, to see the fairways and greens filled every summer with golf enthusiasts from around the world. And, outwith the regular tourist season, every club boasts a healthy membership.

Arran boasts golf courses where golden eagles fly overhead, seals bask on seashore rocks and red deer graze the fairways. The golf courses are comfortably spaced round the coast of the island, each in its own way complimenting the landscape, enjoying and providing a never ending panorama of exquisite sea and mountain views. In common with the rest of the UK, the seven golf courses have been continuously upgraded over the past ten or fifteen years and collectively provide the full range of features any golfer might expect to play in a lifetime. All the courses have their own quirks and character, from the scenic courses at Corrie and Lochranza, to the hustle and bustle of Brodick and Whiting Bay golf clubs.

…there is one course to every 671 islanders

There is also a special 12-hole course at Shiskine, which is listed among the 100 best courses by a national golfing magazine. The Isle of Arran, known as the jewel in Scotland’s crown, lies off the south-west coast of Scotland. The Island is 23 miles from north to south, 11 miles from east to west, 56 miles all the way round the coast, and rises from sea level to the top of Goatfell Mountain at just over 1,000 metres.

Arran is also regarded as a Scotland in miniature because of its undulating hills and rocky peaks in the north, to the busier, but geographically flatter, southern end. While most of the courses are found in the southern half of the island, the north-based courses are worth a round or two for the scenery alone. The setting of Lochranza Golf Course is idyllic. Steep mountain slopes surround three sides with the fourth opening to the Kilbrannan Sound. Playing Lochranza, it is difficult not to be distracted by the scenery and the wildlife as it seems the course is designed to be as much an entertaining walk, as it is a challenging game of golf. In terms of playing golf, the fact that it looks a simple golf course can be deceiving.

The Island is 23 miles from north to south, 11 miles from east to west, 56 miles all the way round the coast, and rises from sea level to the top of Goatfell Mountain at just over 1,000 metres.

The pretty nine-hole course at Corrie is famed for its views. Set beneath towering granite peaks, it is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. The course is situated seven miles north of the main ferry port, Brodick, and, with green fees of £8 per round during the week and £8 for a weekend day ticket, is worth the journey. However, if you cannot get to Corrie, there is an 18-hole course in Brodick, accessible to all ages and abilities, just a short walk from the ferry.

Unlike the island’s other courses, the entire Brodick course is set at sea level. From its opening hole, the longest par four on the course, to its three tough cross-water par threes, tricky dogleg par five and deceptive par fours at the turn, it presents challenges and obstacles which are great to take on. Further down the east coast of the island, and a three-mile drive from Brodick, is Lamlash Golf Club. The course, recently named as one of Scotland’s top 100 golfing gems, can be seen from the road and is a delightful 18-hole, par 64.

Although quite short in distance, measuring at some 4,640 yards, it offers a serious challenge for golfers of all abilities, an example of this lies in the fact it has many long par threes, including two measuring over 220 yards. Set on the hillside above the village, there are some spectacular views overlooking the Clyde Estuary and the Ayrshire coast, including famous courses such as Royal Troon & Turnberry. Whiting Bay is one of the most popular courses on the island and is a 20-minute drive from the Brodick ferry.

Unlike the island’s other courses, the entire Brodick course is set at sea level.

Like Lamlash, it is situated on a hillside with superb panoramic views across to Holy Isle and the mainland coast. Visitors are make to feel very welcome and can enjoy inexpensive golf on what is a scenically beautiful course. The wild west of Arran features two traditional summer season courses that now have all-year-round appeal. The well-run Shiskine Golf and Tennis Club is open for play all year round, weather permitting.

In 1997 Golf Monthly magazine voted Shiskine the 77th best course in the UK and Ireland and in the past two years this 12-hole course has been ranked in the top 100 courses in Britain. Machrie Bay Golf Club is a small but interesting nine-hole course situated 12 miles from Brodick in the village of Machrie. The first hole here has one of the narrowest fairways on the island with the beach on one side and the road on the other.

All seven clubs have joined together to create the Arran Golf Pass giving one round on each golf course. This offer is aimed at first time visitors to the island, though equally available to returning visitors, inviting them to sample these delightful golf courses set among some of the most unspoiled scenery and amazing range of wild life to be found in Europe. For more information visit club websites or telephone:

Lochranza Golf Club Tel: 01770 830 273
Lamlash Golf Club Tel: 01770 600 296
Machrie Bay Golf Club Tel: 01770 840 213
Shiskine Golf &Tennis Club Tel: 01770 860 487
Whiting Bay Golf Club Tel: 01770 700 487
Brodick Golf Club Tel: 01770 302349
Corrie Golf Club Tel: 01770 810606

All seven clubs have joined together to create the Arran Golf Pass giving one round on each golf course.

Most people’s first view of Arran is the east coast with its towering mountains rising up towards the north.

The east coast of Arran is home to the three bigger villages on the island, Brodick, Lamlash and Whiting Bay. Brodick is usually the first port of call as the car ferry MV Caledonian Isles from Ardrossan docks here. Sailing into Brodick Bay you are greeted by one of the most beautiful views of Arran; the long sandy beach sweeping up towards Goatfell, and the impressive sandstone bricks of Brodick castle.

The modern village of Brodick has grown and expanded over the years. Arran’s first pier was built here in 1872 and the Golf Club celebrated its Centenary in 1997. Brodick Hall was opened in 1895 with money raised by the Brodick Public Hall Company Limited. Generations of visitors and locals cherish fond memories of that old hall which is still the venue for concerts and dances and community activities, with the added bonus of the new library.

Brodick is the largest village and has everything for the holidaymaker with its shops and stunning views. In fact, if it should rain during your stay there are plenty of things here to keep you entertained. The tourist information office is directly across from the Cal Mac office and it is a very useful place to visit before heading off around the island. Incidentally, just along from it is the island’s only fish and chip shop. The biggest shop on the island is the Brodick Co-op, which offers a full range of grocery items.

There are other smaller village shops dotted along sea front including James of Arran who produce high quality handmade chocolates and confectionery for those with a sweet tooth. The bakery, Wooleys of Arran, is famous not just for its bread and cakes but also for their traditional Arran oatcake a simple product with amazing versatilities. It can be eaten on its own or with butter, but it can also form the base for cheese, pate, fish, marmalade, jam or honey.

The village’s many gift shops have plenty of goods to attract the eye. Bilslands is the largest independent retail outlet on the Isle of Arran and is located on the seafront in the centre of Brodick, just minutes from the ferry terminal. The shop is a mini Visitor Attraction, not only offering labels such as Quicksilver, Berghaus and Regatta but also offers a fully licensed Cafe Bar and Art Gallery, a fifteen hole Mini Golf Course and a ‘Taste of Arran’ shop. The Burnside Gallery is the largest on Arran with a big exhibition space. They display contemporary fine arts and crafts by some well-known Scottish Artists like Gordon Davidson, Janet Inglis, Alison Hood, and Pat Salt.

The biggest shop on the island is the Brodick Co-op, which offers a full range of grocery items.

They also offer various adult and children’s classes from basket making and weaving to ceramics, painting, sculpture and jewellery. Brodick has six hotels and a spa resort. If you want to be spoilt and pampered then the Auchrannie Resort is the place to stay. They have a leisure centre that is open to the public. The 20 metre indoor swimming pool with children’s pool can provide hours of family fun, whilst to unwind, the health suite includes a steam room, and sauna. There is a gym too and on the occasional rainy day the games hall provides lots to do for all the family. The large hall can accommodate indoor tennis, badminton, table tennis, indoor bowls, football, basketball, volleyball and many other team sports. There are also plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from.

The Brodick bar is well known for its food. Look out here for fresh fish – especially scallops, roast monkfish and sea bass – on the daily-changing blackboard menu. There is also a range of other choices, varying from day to day, which might include a roast rack of Arran lamb, Arran beefsteaks and a special dish of Arran pheasant breasts. This is a large, busy, informal and friendly bar, off the main street but opposite the Post Office. Though prices may be slightly higher than other bistro bar food on the island, the commitment to fresh ingredients and great standard of cooking make it well worth the extra cost. The Ormidale Hotel is perched on the hill above Brodick’s playing fields. It offers a good range of real ales. It stocks all the Arran beers; the brewery is only 5 minutes away after all.

The food is good but the highlights are the discos that take place on Friday and Saturday nights in the summer. The old Victorian conservatory doubles up as a dance floor and no visitor to Arran has had a proper experience until they feel the condensation dripping down their backs. For fans of more traditional music there is a folk session every Sunday from 4p.m. The Isle of Arran Heritage Museum, founded in 1976 is on the main road, at Rosaburn, just north of Brodick. Originally the site of a small farm, the present group of buildings were a croft and smiddy, and include a farmhouse, cottage, bothy, milk house, laundry, stable, coach house and harness room.

The exhibits reflect the social history, archaeology and geology of the island. There is also a delightful tearoom, the Rosaburn Cafe. You enter through the museum, so that sets the scene. This is main street 19th century Brodick where horses were hoofed, butter was churned and bannocks baked on girdles while tongues gossiped. Turn left along the row of cottages facing the Rosa Burn and into a haven of modern traditional Scottish baking and cooking. On the outskirts of the village in an idyllic courtyard setting, the Arran Aromatics factory and shop sit alongside The Island Cheese Co. and the celebrated Creelers Seafood Restaurant and Smokehouse, making Home Farm one of Arran’s most popular visitor attractions.

Arran Aromatics have been making specialist body care products on the Isle of Arran since 1988. Today Arran Aromatics produce some 250 items, including triple milled vegetable soaps, foam bath, bath grains, shower gel, body wash, bath oil, body lotion, hand cream and lip balm.

Brodick has six hotels and a spa resort.

Visitors can see the factory at work through a viewing window in the factory shop. The Island Cheese Company next door was initially established to supply delicious flavoured cheddars to a local and tourist market and in here visitors can view the cheese making process as it happens. They offer a wide range of cheeses including the new Arran Brie.

The emphasis at Creelers has always been on the provision of top quality, locally caught seafood. The smoked products come fresh from the smokehouse, where Tim James personally supervises the smoking process. Whilst specialising in seafood, meat-eaters and vegetarians are well catered for using local venison and organic vegetables and herbs grown on the island. One of the highlights is Brodick Castle and Country Park, (pictured above) which overlooks Brodick bay from the hillside. It is unique in being the only island country park in Britain.

…the Arran Aromatics factory and shop sit alongside The Island Cheese Co. and the celebrated Creelers Seafood Restaurant and Smokehouse, making Home Farm one of Arran’s most popular visitor attractions.

The Park extends from the seashore to the mountaintop with over ten miles of marked trails and abundant wildlife. With its backdrop of mountain peaks, its terraced lawns and luxuriant gardens, Brodick Castle and Country Park is the very image of a Victorian ‘Highland’ estate. A stronghold of some kind has occupied the site since the fifth century, when an ancient Irish tribe came over and founded the kingdom of Dalriada. It was probably destroyed and rebuilt many times during its turbulent history. In 1503 James IV granted the castle and the Earldom of Arran to his cousin, Lord Hamilton. That structure was demolished in 1544.

Parts of the present castle date from the 1588 during the ownership of the 2nd Earl of Arran who was the guardian and regent of Queen Mary. Inside are paintings, ceramics and furniture from the various owners. It is also home to the art collection of 18th century author William Beckford of Fonthill whose daughter married the 10th Duke of Hamilton. One of the rooms is known as ‘Bruce’s Room’ but since the castle was all but destroyed in 1455 and 1544, it is unlikely that Robert the Bruce actually ever stayed there.

The Burnside Gallery is the largest on Arran with a big exhibition space.

The colourful gardens which feature lots of rhododendrons, include; a walled garden, the ‘ice house’ where they used to pack ice in the winter so they could store food during the summer, and the hexagonal Bavarian Summer house built in 1845 and decorated with elaborate arrangements of fir cones.

LAMLASH is just three miles south of the ferry terminal at Brodick.

The village is situated in a sheltered bay protected from the elements by the Holy Island rising a thousand feet out of the sea. In 1263 before the Battle of Largs, the Norse king Haakon anchored his fleet in Lamlash Bay. On the Holy Island the cave of Saint Molaise, who lived and died here in 639AD after accepting 30 diseases at once to avoid purgatory, has runic inscriptions, which may have been made by Viking sailors at this time.

The natural harbour is a haven for boat users and fisherman alike. Underwater enthusiasts can visit the Derwent shipwreck in the bay, dating back to 1880. Lamlash is the site of the only secondary school on the island, Arran High School and the Police station. Here you will also find a number of good pubs and hotels as well as a smaller Co-op shop selling all groceries. Lamlash Golf Club is perched on a hill as you travel into the village.

This 18 hole golf course is another example of a fabulous golf course and well worth a visit.

The Holy island is now a Buddhist monk retreat and a small ferry leaves Lamlash pier for the island every hour between 10am and 5pm. Visitors can walk up the backbone of the island – However, do keep to the path! There are dangerous crevasses hidden in the heather. From here there is a wonderful view of Arran and the mainland. The Buddhist Monastery is at the southern end but it is not accessible to the public as it is used as a place of retreat. Monks stay there for three years and three months. However, the path, which runs along the shoreline, is dotted with Buddhist art and shrines.
Whiting Bay is situated just around the corner over the hill from Lamlash. The village overlooks the Ayrshire coast and the southern tip of Scotland tapering down towards the Mull of Galloway.

Whiting Bay is comprised of several districts- Kings Cross, Sandbraes, Auchencairn, Knockankelly, North, mid and South Kiscadale, Largiemhor, Largiemeanoch and Largiebeg. There is a lot of evidence of pre-historic habitation in the area; the Giants Graves are the best known. The Vikings left their dead in the burial mound at Kings Cross and an early visitor was Robert the Bruce who sailed from the Kings Cross to the mainland and to victory proving that there is nothing like a holiday on Arran to prepare you for the battles ahead.

LAMLASH is just three miles south of the ferry terminal at Brodick.

The village itself has grown little by little from clusters of cottages on the shore and on the braes to crofts, farms, houses and hotels. The road to Lamlash used to go by Auchencairn until 1843 when the main shore road was constructed.
Contact with the mainland happened very infrequently usually by rowing boat in calmer weather.
Locally owned smaller boats would bring cargoes into the mouths of the burns and rivers and unload the contents into carts.
Later, passengers were landed from steamers at Kings Cross and even after the pier at Whiting Bay was built they still called at Kings Cross.

Whiting Bay

Whiting Bay as it is today began to take shape around the end of the 18th century with the construction of the pier and the expansion of businesses and the tourist trade. The opening of the golf course, tennis courts, bowling and putting greens made Whiting Bay a magnet for tourists. The golf course and bowling green are still thriving today but unfortunately the tennis courts have gone.

The Village Hall was opened in 1926 and no-one was allowed to set foot on the new floor unless they were wearing soft shoes. Before that the school was used for entertainment purposes but the hall has been a focal point of the village ever since it was built. The beach at Whiting Bay is a mixture of pebbles, rock pools and sand and is an exciting play area for any child. There are also swans and many other sea birds to see.
Services in the village include a selection of grocery stores, craft studios and coffee shops. Bicycles and boats can be hired from here and there are trips over to the Holy Island too. The village shop is a bustling, well laid out deli with shelves of speciality food ranging from health food products to Arran preserves. The chill cabinet has fresh butcher’s meat from Miller in Lamlash, fish from Creelers in Brodick and a full range of Arran cheeses. Cooked meats and hams are cut to order and there baked quiches and pies.

The Village Hall was opened in 1926 and no-one was allowed to set foot on the new floor unless they were wearing soft shoes.

There is a great display of fresh fruit and vegetables including Arran grown seasonal produce (some from local gardens) such as leeks and peas and Kildonan potatoes. There is a wide range of organic produce among the natural foods including organic bread. The shop is open all year round. One of the favourite walks on the island is to the Glen Ashdale falls. It takes you past farms and fields, through forest paths edged with ferns, mosses and lichens and past the tumbled stones of prehistoric forts. Not a long walk but so much to see, to reflect upon and enjoy, like Arran.

There is a lot of evidence of pre-historic habitation in the area; the Giants Graves are the best known.

Under the shadow and spell of Goatfell

THE WILD north half of Arran spans from the pretty village of Corrie across the mountains to Pirnmill, which overlooks Kintyre. Miles of unspoilt scenery and striking wildlife are there for all to see. Corrie is situated six miles from Brodick. It has a pretty procession of cottages lining the road to Lochranza and wrapping themselves around a picturesque little harbour. It lies under the island’s highest mountain, Goatfell, and a path provides access to the hillside.

The village used to be a regular stop for steamers travelling around the island, but the pier has since fallen into disrepair.
Its one pub, The Corrie Hotel, has an informal and pleasant atmosphere offering good food and friendly service at reasonable prices.

The hotel provides not only evening meals, but also bar lunches, morning coffee, afternoon tea, and evening bar meals. There are plenty of places to stay in the village. As well as the hotel there is the Blackrock, a traditional sea front guesthouse and for those on a budget a 10-minute steep climb takes you to North High Corrie Croft, a bunkhouse on a raised beach that overlooks the village. It has one large room for group bookings and an annexe with eight beds.

THE WILD north half of Arran spans from the pretty village of Corrie across the mountains to Pirnmill, which overlooks Kintyre.

The village shop stocks general food supplies, off sales, newspapers and magazines, local produce and crafts as well as an extensive range of organic produce. There is also an exhibition of art works by Marvin Elliot, a local sculptor. His wooden sculptures can be seen all over the island. In fact, visitors may spot a seal basking on a rock very near to the shop.
Corrie boasts one of the most beautiful golf courses in Britain with some of the most stunning views on Arran. Confusingly situated in the neighbouring village of Sannox, Corrie Golf Club is well worth a visit for golf enthusiasts. Two miles north of Corrie is the hamlet of Sannox, resting at the bottom of a glen it also has an idyllic little sandy beach.

Today it is popular with visitors who fancy a swim. Within the dramatic Glen Sannox it is possible to find an Iron Age fort and the remains of a village, abandoned in 1829 as part of the process of the Highland Clearances

The name stems from the Vikings who called the area, Sandvik, meaning the sandy bay. Today it is popular with visitors who fancy a swim. Within the dramatic Glen Sannox it is possible to find an Iron Age fort and the remains of a village, abandoned in 1829 as part of the process of the Highland Clearances. Mining was a source of employment in the area, when in 1840 a mine was opened in the area. Operations ended in 1862 when the 11th Duke of Hamilton closed the mine, claiming that it spoiled the local area.

However, the mine was reopened after the close of the First World War, and a railway and pier were built to transport the coal mined there. The source of coal ran out in 1938 and the mine closed. The railway and the pier were removed in the 1940s. Like Corrie, Sannox has one hotel, The Sannox Bay. Bar meals are served lunchtime and evening but visitors can also dine in the restaurant, which has earned a good reputation for its quality cuisine. The Sannox Bay hotel is an ideal base for hill walking and climbing and is only 50 yards from Corrie golf course, making it ideal for a golfing break.

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.

Sunsets and stone circles – plus a cave fit for a King

AS YOU travel on down the coast from Pirnmill the views of the Mull of Kintyre and the North of Ireland are breathtaking. Following the road high above Whitefarland past the charming Imachar farm visitors can see for miles on a fine day.
As you drive south you will see the magnificent Dougarie lodge on your left. This imposing white house hidden in Glen Iorsa was once the summer residence of the Duke of Hamilton. On the beach there is a delightful old boathouse leading down to the beach. It may be small but this is one of the west coasts loveliest beaches, plus there is a handy changing hut to protect one’s modesty.

A little further round the coast is Machrie, which is little more than a wide cluster of houses surrounding a charming golf course.
This flat seaside course sports nine holes and is 2200 yards.

On the beach there is a delightful old boathouse leading down to the beach. It may be small but this is one of the west coasts loveliest beaches, plus there is a handy changing hut to protect one’s modesty.

There is also a putting green and small practice area as well as tennis courts. The Clubhouse is the old village hall and the tearoom inside is well worth a visit. They offer a range of snacks made from local produce. Just towards the north of the golf course there is a Historic Scotland sign pointing to the Moss Farm road Stone Circle, which lies about half a mile walk along the farm track. There is another Bronze Age sight nearby at Auchagallon. As the road makes it way towards Blackwaterfoot it passes Machrie Moor, the site of Arran’s most impressive stone circles.

There is parking by the Historic Scotland sign on the right hand side. Visitors then must walk one and a half miles along a track before suddenly coming upon no fewer than six stone circles. Many of them are barely visible above the ground, but the tallest is over 18 feet high. The whole area is full of ancient remains. A little further along is a forestry commission car park. There is a standing stone here that marks the grave of Fingal’s daughter and there are also the remains of an old fort. The path then leads down a steep cliff and across some rocks to the King’s Cave.

As the road makes it way towards Blackwaterfoot it passes Machrie Moor, the site of Arran’s most impressive stone circles.

It was here that Robert the Bruce found inspiration from a simple spider, as it repeatedly struggled up its silken thread. There are three other caves known as his Kitchen, Cellar and Stable, which may have been used by Fingal himself. Strangely enough, the cliffs here have basaltic pillars too, just like those on Staffa, the site of the famous Fingal’s Cave. The little fishing village of Blackwaterfoot is set around an attractive bay with a tiny harbour.

The village was originally just the port for the village of Shiskine situated further up the glen. It was dominated by an awesome cairn, which by the mid 1880s had almost disappeared, the stones being used for houses and dykes. The area was excavated around 1900 and a grave containing a bronze dagger decorated with gold was found. In 1896 as Blackwaterfoot developed as a tourist centre, the Shiskine golf and tennis club came into being when its unique 12 hole golf course was laid out a Drumadoon. The club has gone from strength to strength and in 2001 the tennis courts were upgraded with new surfacing and floodlights. The tearoom at Shiskine Golf Club serves a wide selection of homecooked meals and snacks perfect after a round of golf or for any one visiting the beach.

The beach at Blackwaterfoot must be mentioned. Stretching for miles below the golf course, it draws people from all over the island whatever the weather or time of year. And of course, the sunsets can be spectacular. There are several hotels and pubs in the village as well as shops and a post office.

The area was excavated around 1900 and a grave containing a bronze dagger decorated with gold was found.

The Kinloch Hotel is one of the largest on the island. The same family has run it for over 50 years. It is relaxed and comfortable serving great food and good beers. There is a swimming pool and sauna too open to the public, ideal for those rainy afternoons.

A mile up the hill is the village of Shiskine. This used to be one of the liveliest villages in Arran with a church, a school, two shops, a smiddy, a police station, and public house. Although many of these are no longer here, there is still plenty to do. The Balmichael Visitor centre is great for a day out, offering a little bit of everything. Built on a traditional farm with restored sandstone buildings surrounding a courtyard, there is a great pottery where kids can paint their own ceramics, an antique stable, various craft and gift shops and a coffee shop.

For the kids this is an ideal place with trampolines, quad biking for the younger and older children as well as a play barn and laser quest. Also to keep the adults amused there is a driving range where you can rent balls and clubs. All in all a great day out whether it’s a beautiful sunny day or it is raining.

The beach at Blackwaterfoot must be mentioned.

You’ll never be short of things to see and do

MANY argue that the most peaceful area of Arran is the south of the island, compromising the villages of Kildonan, Kilmory, Lagg and Sliddery.

They share some fantastic beaches; big sandy bays as well as interesting rock pools. Kildonan is unusual in that it lies a short distance off the main road overlooking the small island of Pladda. Down south you will see the floating volcano Ailsa Craig, a bird sanctuary with an unmistakable outline. The name Kildonan derives from the name Saint Donan who is reputedly buried in the village.

Early life in the village revolved around Kildonan Castle. Once a royal seat, the castle passed between various Scottish nobles, before latterly belonging to the Hamilton family in 1544, by which time they were the earls of Arran. The tower was later sacked and burnt by the Earl of Sussex around 1558. The ruined remains of the building still exist. The modern village is a small thriving community with a much loved and much used village hall. There was a school in the village but numbers declined so much that it closed in 1968.

The tower was later sacked and burnt by the Earl of Sussex around 1558.

The School Houses are now available as holiday rental cottages. There are two hotels in the village as well as camping facilities and a village shop, which also doubles up as a B&B. The Southbank farm park, towards Kilmory sadly closed its doors to the public a couple of years ago, but there is now a woodturning studio based at the farm. There is currently a lot of new housing being built in Kildonan that shows it is a thriving part of the island. There is a large sandy beach the length of the village, which is unusual for the geology of Arran where rocky beaches are far more common.

Kilmory is the next village along as you follow the road westwards between Lagg and Kildonan. Southwest of the village are the Kilmory Cairns, a set of Neolithic chambers in which skeletal remains and a flint knife were found. At the east end of the village is the Torylinn creamery, which produces Arran Dunlop, the silver medal winner in the British Cheese Awards 2002. Kilmory is a wonderful place to visit to take in the stunning natural beauty of the area, including the unspoilt and lengthy beach. Lagg is situated right next to Kilmory at the bottom of a steep hill.

There was a school in the village but numbers declined so much that it closed in 1968.

Driving into Lagg you always feel as though you have uncovered a hidden gem. It is an unusual village because it is the only one on Arran that doesn’t have a view of the sea. The Lagg Hotel is one of the oldest hotels on the island. The hotel was built in 1791 and was used as a coaching inn with a few bedrooms on the first floor. Situated in a unique hollow, Lagg has never been short of admirers due to its picturesque setting and extensive gardens. The gardens have also enjoyed much use over the years, from tennis matches on the front lawn to the famous setting for afternoon tea during the 1950s.

There is a large sandy beach the length of the village, which is unusual for the geology of Arran where rocky beaches are far more common.

Having undergone some refurbishment, Lagg has thirteen bedrooms and log fires blaze throughout the public areas with the homely smell of burning logs to welcome guests in. Sliddery is a tiny hamlet located on the Southwest coast.
The village is situated near the Ross road between Lagg and Blackwaterfoot.

The name Sliddery is supposedly derived from the Old Irish for ‘field of slaughter.’ It was here that a band of marauding Vikings were butchered when attempting to settle in Sliddery Water valley. Nowadays, the hamlet sits upon the hill high above the estuary, about half a mile form the shore. Various lanes lead down to a pebble beach, which offers views across the Kilbrannan sound to Ireland and Ailsa Craig. From Sliddery you can travel along the Ross Road down through the glen to Lamlash with Holy Island in the background. The road itself is about nine miles long.

The village is situated near the Ross road between Lagg and Blackwaterfoot.

The south of Arran is full of beautiful sites all visitors should see during their visit. Without a doubt it is the most laid back end of the island offering plenty of opportunities to relax. Arran is a wonderful place to holiday. Whether you are here for a long weekend or two weeks you will never be short of things to see and do.