Brodick Castle, Balmichael Visitor Centre, The Kings Caves, Arran Distillery, Standing Stones of Machrie Moor
The Isle of Arran, often called Scotland in Miniature, is one of Scotland’s most southerly islands. Located 30 miles southwest of Glasgow, Arran is only 200 square miles in size and its residents number under 5,000. There are three main villages (Brodick, Lamlash, and Whiting Bay) on the island, and many smaller villages that make the 57-mile coastline drive around the island scenic and interesting. Beware: narrow, winding roads prevail here.
How to get to Arran
Arran is accessible through a 55 minute ferry crossing from Ardrossan to Brodick and also from Claonaig to Lochranza. The Ardrossan/Brodick ferry runs 4 or 5 times daily (depending on the weather and time of year) and can be booked in advance; the Claonaig-Lochranza ferry runs 10-12 times daily (closed in winter).
Tip: If you take the Ardrossan/Brodick ferry, make a point of trying the food in the cafeteria-style lounge. There's a good selection of indigenous dishes: steak & kidney pie, curries, fish & chips, etc.
Tip: Once you get off the ferry, make a stop at the Arran Tourism Office, located at the pier in Brodick. It's open Monday-Friday (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.).
Where to Stay:
The Isle of Arran attracts nearly 200,000 visitors every year and accomodations here include self-catering, bed & breakfasts, and guesthouses. The Auchrannie Spa Resort, in Brodick, includes a hotel and spa resort and offers its guests free Internet at its restaurants (and some guestrooms), a gym, two large pools, and a games room. The Auchrannie features three onsite restaurants including the upscale Garden Restaurant.
Things to Do:
- Take the ferry to the Holy Isle - now owned by Buddhist monks, its spiritual history goes back the hermit cave of St. Molaise, a 6th century monk.
- Visit Brodick Castle - operated by the National Trust for Scotland, Brodick Castle is a truly impressive castle with stunning gardens. Guides and tip sheets about the castle and its former occupants can be found in most rooms, make the self-tour accessible to kids and adults alike.
- Check out the Balmichael Visitor Centre, a restored farm with craft, coffee and gift shops, an adventure playground and playbarn, and heritage area. Recommendation: the chocolate covered strawberries at the outdoor popcorn and sweets stand.
- Stop by Arran Aromatics and sample island lotions and soaps - they make a great souvenir.
- Explore the Kings Caves - it's here that some say Robert the Bruce saw the spider and determined to follow its example and continue his attempts to beat back the English.
- Trip back into time at the Arran Heritage Musem
- The Arran Distillery: tour the facility, do a whisky tasting and check out the extensive gift shop where you can purchase a bottle of Arran Gold, a cream liqueur recently voted the "World's Best Whisky Liqueur" at the World Whisky Conference.
- Cast your tarot cards at the Standing Stones of Machrie Moor
Tip: Pick up a copy of the Arran Banner, the island's weekly newspaper, for a taste of the local news and activities. The Banner is readily available at stores and tearooms throughout the island.
Where to Eat:
Arran's cuisine runs the spectrum from simple to complex gourmet. If you enjoy sampling local offerings, try the Arran Dairy Ice Cream, local preserves (often available in tearooms), Arran whisky, and locally made cheeses (try the chilli cheddar!). Although these products are widely available around the island, you can make a single stop at A Taste of Arran, located beside the large Bilsland's gift shop along the Brodick shorefront.
It's hard to go far without stumbling upon one of Arran's many tearooms, most offering up both a splendid view and delicious cakes for afternoon tea. toffee shortbread, scones, carrot cakes, and coffee cakes are staples here. Favourite afternoon goodie: pavlova at the Rosaburn Cafe, located in the Arran Heritage Museum.
