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Isle of Arran
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Cir Mhor and the Saddle, Isle of Arran
Arran is not only a fantastic island to visit it is a destination, like Oban, to use as a strategic point on your island hopping journey. Arran’s main ferry link with the mainland is ArdossanBrodick. From Arran you can hop off to Claonaig, over the spine of the beautiful Kintyre Peninsula and visit Gigha, reach Kennacraig to sail to Islay and on to Jura and Colonsay or go north to Tarbert and catch a ferry back to Arran or across to the Cowal Peninsula and return to Arran via Bute. For a longer island hop travel up to Oban along the A83 and A816 with its incredible coastal views and set sail for more islands from this busy port. Lying in the Firth of Clyde Arran is more easily accessible than the Hebridean Islands and it is perfect for a day-trip but if you have time deserves more attention. Don’t be surprised if you bump into school and university fi eld trips; the geology and history of Arran, occupied since Neolithic times, make for a fascinating place. The climate and the rock formation which runs through the island, the Highland Boundary Fault, have given Arran the title of ‘Scotland in Miniature’. You truly can see every type of landscape Scotland can offer here, plus whisky, golf, ancient standing stones, castles, imposing cliffs, lovely beaches, lush farm land and majestic peaks. So the ‘miniature’ title rings true but you also might want to think: ‘small but mighty’. And in keeping with this theme Arran can offer accommodation just as diverse, from luxury spa to bothies and everything in between. The outline of Arran is just as iconic as the Skye Cullins. Seeing so much in one small island can work up an appetite and a thirst. Arran is amazing for the number of food and drink producers it has, many have become household names and won numerous awards. Arran Distillery produces single malts, limited editions, blends and a cream liqueur and opened its sister distillery at Lagg in the south of the island in 2019. The awards have stacked up and it is truly one of Arran’s success stories. So too is Arran Sense of Scotland the fragrance
producers which began as Arran Aromatics. Arran Cheese and Arran Brewery are also award winners. You can buy cheese, preserves, chutneys oatcakes and chocolates, ice cream and more, all made success stories. Some people come for the history, from Neolithic through to National Trust for Scotland-run Brodick Castle and Gardens. When it comes to festivals there are so many to choose from; Arran Folk Festival has been running for nearly 50 years in one form or another and one of the The outline foundations of the Scottish music scene. The Arran Festival of Food of Arran is & Drink is new for 2022 being held 14th - 25th September - check just as iconic out www.arransfoodjourney.com. as the Skye Being close to the towns of the Ayrshire coast and Glasgow, Cullins. Arran can stage a wide number of events and festivals and be sure of good attendance. Be it musical, creative, sporting or food and drink, you will almost certainly fi nd an event for you as well as the traditional highland games, agricultural and horticultural shows. The listings are just so tempting you will be back for more. Look out for the newly launched children’s book festival, Wee Mac Arran.
Glen Sannox. Brodick Castle.
TRAVEL
> Frequent trains and busses from Glasgow; easy reach of Glasgow International and Prestwick Airports. Ferries from Ardrossan, Claonaig and Tarbert Loch Fyne.
POINTS OF INTEREST
> POTATOES
Do not forget the one and only Arran Banner, or to give its formal name: Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Arran Banner. A delicious potato and the name of our namesake newspaper on the island. There are several Arran varieties of potato but Banner and Pilot are the two most widely available.
> CHALLENGE
Here is our island hopping Arran challenge – have yourself a picnic on the island of products made and grown there. Easy to do and delicious.
> CAMPING
Go from glamping to wild camping with everything in between; motor homes welcome, with waste water facilities in Blackwaterfoot and Whiting Bay.
> GOAT FELL
Arran’s highest peak is a rewarding climb. Enjoy the Arran Mountain Festival or an ultra marathon if you like to quicken the pace.
> GOLF
The balmy climate and lush countryside conspire to create beautiful golf courses on Arran. This island has golf courses in the way that Islay has distilleries; there are seven and you can play them all when you buy an Arran Golf Pass.
> LOCHRANZA
The ferry terminal on the western side of the island takes you to Claonaig and Tarbert Loch Fyne.
LINKS
> www.visitarran.com > www.taste-of-arran.co.uk > www.arranmountainfestival.co.uk > www.golfonarran.com > www.auchrannie.co.uk
GOOD TO KNOW
> Arran is a good place to cycle; a 56 mile round Arran route or make it a tough fi gure of eight by tackling The String Road over the hills. The fi ve ferries island hop is a favourite with cyclists starting and ending on Arran.
Delightful Stories from Arran by author Alison Page
Isle of Arran author, Alison Page started publishing picture books about her beloved West Highland Terrier in 2018. With a strong Scottish theme, these delightful stories feature the adorable Corrie, named after the village on Arran. The island’s Community Volunteer for the Scottish based charity, “Mary’s Meals”, Alison decided that profi ts from the “Corrie’s Capers” series would help feed hungry children. To date, an amazing £13,500 has been donated. Working in 20 of the world’s poorest countries, Mary’s Meals mission is simple; to reach the next starving child, giving them hope for the future. The Westie Fest Corrie competes for Scotland in a Westie Highland Games The Tattoo Toorie Corrie has a special duty to perform at the Edinburgh Festival but is scared Corrie’s Curling Capers Corrie is invited to open a bonspiel but she’s never curled before
School + Food = Hope Corrie’s Library Capers
Sadly, Corrie crossed over the rainbow bridge during lockdown, however, this precious wee Westie lives on through Alison’s stories. Her latest “Corrie’s Library Capers“ was launched in July this year. Books may be purchased via the website shop or can be found in lots of lovely shops across Scotland. Find out more at www.westie.scot
Things take an unexpected turn when Corrie lends a paw with the mobile library.
