Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Brodick Bay with Goat Fell, Isle of Arran, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on the Isle of Arran which is located off the west coast of Scotland and relatively close to Glasgow. Arran is often described as ‘Scotland in Miniature’.

Most visitors arrive via the approximately one hour ferry crossing from Ardrossan which arrives at the island’s principal town of Brodick . Once disembarked visitors are free to explore the many facets of this compact island which includes:

• Geology: Arran is one of the world’s classic geological locations which attracts many students of the subject. In the distance past Arran has variously formed part of the ocean bottom or massive continents now gone.
• Prehistory: Good examples of stone circles and rock art with Machrie Moor  and Stronach Wood respectively being the prime examples.
• Castles: Lochranza  and Brodick.
• Walking Routes: There is a continuous path around the island which includes stretches of roadway, forest track, coastline and mountainous terrain. It is also possible to scale Goat Fell, the islands tallest mountain.
• Wildlife and Sightseeing Tours: Boat trips around Arran and nearby islands.
• Isle of Arran Heritage Museum: Learn about the way of life from the remote past to the 1920s.
• Isle of Arran Distillery: Tour one of Scotland’s youngest whisky distilleries.
• Island Products: Include cheese shop, chocolate shop, fish smokery, brewery and aromatics.
• Golfing: Seven courses plus driving range and pro-shops.
• Holy Island : A small island accessible from Arran which is now, primarily, a Buddhist retreat.
• Cycling: Coast road for road cycling plus ideal terrain for mountain biking.
• Wildlife: Red squirrels, seals and deer can be spotted with diligence.
• Photography: Seascapes, landscapes, wildlife and castles all provide good subjects.
• Beaches: Sandy beaches facilitate swimming- in summer time.

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  Lochranza Castle, Arran, ScotlandDeer at Lochranza, Scotland

Machrie Moor, Standing Stones, Arran

Highland Cow, Arran, Scotland

 

Clearly, Arran’s diverse range of attractions and interests will satisfy the needs of many visitors.

• Scenic bay.
• Shopping: the widest range of shops on Arran.
• Brodick Castle: dates from the 13th century and together with extensive grounds is open to visitors.
• Goat Fell: a mountain which dominates the local scenery. This is accessible to most hikers. The named derives from the Old Norse for ‘goat hill’. The rugged peak shown in image above is a function of frost shattering during the last ice-age when Goat Fell and some other peaks on Arran remained above the ice sheets.
• A wide range of lodgings including hotels, B&Bs and Guest Houses.
• Golf: an 18 hole links course.
• Some well preserved examples of prehistoric rock art.
• Arran Heritage Museum featuring social history, genealogy, archaeology, archives, Viking heritage and geology.
• Beach.
• Restaurants.

Here is a landscape view of Brodick Castle

Brodick Castle, Arran, Scotland

 

 

Here is a close-up of Brodick Castle

 

Brodick Castle, Isle of Arran, Scotland

 

 

Here is the principal ferry linking Arran to the mainland.

 

Ardrossan-Arran Ferry, Brodick Bay, Isle of Arran

 

Brodick is a good location to use as a base for touring Arran.