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The Isle of Arran

With the sweeping grandeur of its hills and mountains in the north, and tranquil pasture and moorlands in the south, Arran is frequently described as "Scotland in Miniature". It has a long history as a popular destination, especially for those who enjoy the outdoors.

Walking and Climbing

At 874 metres, Goat Fell is Arran's highest point and draws hill walkers to the island all year round, the spectacular views from the top alone are worth the climb. However, tis but the pinnacle of what many climbers consider to be some of the finest hill and ridge walking in the country. Away from the lure of the hill Arran has an abundance of interesting and varied walks. The Arran Coastal Way (100km) is a circular route allowing walkers to begin and end their walk at any convenient point. It uses existing paths mainly following the shore and is ideally suited for walkers of all abilities. It can be spread over 7 days quite easily.

Golf

There are seven golf courses, one for each day of the week, offering good playing conditions and spectacular scenery. The overall variety and standard of golf on offer provides a challenge to both the professional and beginner alike. The Arran Golf Pass offers a great deal to those who wish to play all seven courses, is available from the Brodick Tourist Information Centre and local golf courses.

Cycling

A variety of terrain awaits the cycling enthusiast and if you don't have your own bike with you, bicycles of all types are available for hire on the island. The 56 miles around the island are a long but popular route and villages along the way provide many opportunities to enjoy fine views. The String road, across the middle of the island, is a testing route but you will be rewarded with spectacular views to the hills. There are many forestry roads now open to the public where you can test yourself and your bike!

Fishing

Arran offers the angler a huge variety of fishing in the most tranquil of surroundings. Sea angling form the beach or boat is a delight and with many of the coastal villages offering the chance to take to the sea you have the opporutunity to fish and to catch a glimpse of the seals that colonise the island. The rivers and burns see plenty of sea trout with the occasional salmon for early to mid July onwards and the island's fisheries offer the angler the chance to catch larger fish. All river and loch fishing requires a permit, these can be purchased from the Tourist Information Centre at Brodick Pier.

Food and Drink

The island has also acquired a reputation amongst lovers of good food and drink. There is both a distillery and a brewery located here, and a number of quality food brands have been developed locally, from cheeses to chocolate, organically grown vegetables to farm-reared meat, and ice-creams to oatcakes. For more details visit A Taste of Arran.

Activities

Horseriding and trekking are available and if you're looking for a challenge why not try out paragliding or quad biking, tuition and equipment are available on the island. Helicopter rides offer the chance to view the island form the skies. Squash, tennis putting, swimming, bowls, mini-golf are all here. A range of more adventurous activities are offered by 'Arran Adventure Company' in Brodick. From gorge walking to mountain boarding - not for the faint hearted!

Natural History

Woodland, coastal, glen and mountain walks are all on offer. Each is unique and many give you a taste of Arran’s diversity of natural habitat, wildlife and rich history. Seals, dolphins, red deer, golden eagles, peregrine falcon, otters, red squirrels can all be seen around the island. Sightings of porpoise and basking sharks are also fairly common, and if you’re lucky you might spot a killer whale!

Arts and Crafts

There is and extensive range of hand-crafted goods available on the island. Many of the craft showrooms, as well as welcoming visitors, are working businesses.

Arran is the home of Arran Fine Foods and Arran Aromatics, famous the world over for its aromatherapy and toiletry products.

We have candlemakers, wood carvers, silver and goldsmiths, silk painting artists, painters of fine art, stained glass makers to name but a few. In Brodick there is a Craft Gallery devoted almost entirely to Arran crafts, so rich is the variety and the Burnside Art Gallery features exhibitions by local artists.

Wellbeing

You'll find the pace of life on Arran very relaxing and there are many treatments and alternative therapies to choose from for those who wish to unwind. Try the Auchrannie Spa, or one of the independent practitioners.

The Holy Island

Only ten minutes by ferry from Lamlash, the island has a long sacred history with an ancient healing spring, the hermit-cave of 6th Century monk, St Moliase, and evidence of a 13th Century Monastery. Now under the stewardship of the Samye Ling Buddhist Community, this island has become a focus for work and courses on environment, peace and spirituality. More information is available at www.holyisland.org or by calling 01770 601100

History and Heritage

There are numerous prehistoric monuments, many dating from the Bronze Age, around 4000 years old. The most interesting examples can be seen on Machrie Moor where the enigmatic stone circles, remains of burial chambers and hut foundations lie. The Vikings inhabited the island for centuries and many place names are of Norse origin. The first Christians, St Columba and St Ninian were said to have come to Arran, St Molio's cave and the well on Holy Isle have been places of pilgrimage for centuries King's Cave near Blackwaterfoot, is said to be where Robert the Bruce was inspired by the determination of a small spider. The Isle of Arran Heritage Museum, situated within as 18th Century croft farm at Rosaburn, traces island life from the mists of time right up to the present day. Other historic sites include Brodick and Lochranza Castle. Brodick Castle, former seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, is now managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Parts of the stronghold date back as far as the 13th Century, with later additions made over the years finishing with the Victorian Wing, built in the 1860's. It contains outstanding collections of silver, porcelain, antique furnishings and paintings. The stunning formal and woodland gardens are world famous for their rhododendron and azalea collections and are a joy to walk round.