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The peaceful south corner

Author Holiday Arran

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.