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5 Reasons to Visit the Isle of Arran

23/9/2014

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Reason No.1 'The Ferry'

And your holiday really does begin here.

Friendly staff, great fresh coffee, dog friendly and that amazing feeling of 'leaving it all behind' and heading off to one of Scotland's most accessible islands.

Caledonian MacBrayne operate regular daily trips to and from the Isle of Arran from the port at Ardrossan in North Ayrshire, and fares are now substantially reduced. Cars are over 50% cheaper (compared to a standard single) whilst passengers are nearly 30% better off.
Arran Ferry
Calmac ferry 'Caledonian Isles' heading out of Ardrossan

Reason No.2 'The Walk'

Beach, fell, forrest or path, it's going to be a good one, and Arran certainly has something for everyone no matter what your ability is. The mighty Goatfell rising to 874 meters or the gentle flat stroll along 'Fisherman's Walk' and many more in-between

Kit out the children (yes it might rain!) and they'll forget their game wizards and iboxes (sic) as they get immersed in the wonderment of waterfalls and wildlife.
.
Walk Arran
Glenrosa from Brodick

Reason No.3 'The Food'

Yes, Arran does a fantastic job with locally produced fare, but don't think our island is behind the times when it comes to creating mouth watering contemporary dishes in great surroundings.

Wherever you are on Arran you will not be far away from a cafe, bistro or restaurant that prides itself on preparing fresh ingredients with a touch of creative flare.

Do check on opening times if you are visiting out of season!
Arran Food
Sea food and more on Arran

Reason No.4 'The Wildlife'

And you have so much to choose from!

The north of the island, in and around Lochranza, you are bound to come across Red Deer.These will be either roaming the fell on the way to 'Fairy Dell' or on the golf course, and if you are really lucky you may just get a glimpse of the Golden Eagles by the distillery.

Although found in other areas of the coast, Seals are best discovered on the outcrops of rock in the south at Kildonan Bay.

In Brodick, on the 'Fisherman's Walk', you could be only meters away from one or two Herons, and really the list goes on; Red Squirrel; Sea Otters; Harriers; Dolphins; Gannets . . . 

Seal Arran
Seal basking near Kildonan

Reason No.5 'The Rainbows'

I don't think I'm going to shatter anyone's illusions by saying that if you visit Arran in Autumn you may get a shower or two!

The great thing about island weather, is one minute is never the same as the next and sunshine with rain equals rainbows. If you're fortunate you may get a full panorama like this one, or maybe a double arc heavily saturated against a moody black sky.

Enjoy them!
Rainbow Arran
Rainbow over Brodick Bay

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Entertainment on Arran this week

29/8/2014

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Tickets available from August at Book and Card Shop in Brodick and on line at  www.arrantickets.com/mclellan
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The 'Twelve Apostles' Catacol, Arran

27/8/2014

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12 apostles, arran, scotland

Spot the difference!

Drive to Lochranza on the north west side of Arran, and shortly before arriving you will pass through the village of Catacol. Here you will find the photogenic properties known as the 'Twelve Apostles'. Built originally to house those people evicted from surrounding countryside during the 'clearances', when much of the interior of the island was set aside for deer.

Look closely and you will see that each of the upper first floor windows is a different shape to it's neighbours. The theory was, that these former farmers would turn their hand to fishing, The differing shapes would allow the woman of the house to signal her man by placing a candle in the window while he was out fishing in the Firth of Clyde. Sadly, but understandably, most of the dispossessed moved away to other parts of the island in protest against their eviction.

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Why do we build Sand Castles?

21/8/2014

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Sand sculpture

The 'Art' in us all

Picture
Well at least I'd like to think so

The urge to create, be spontaneous. A chance for uninhibited 'non corrective' and self indulgent play. At school there is always someone looking over your shoulder, but here the materials are free, the canvas is enormous and you don't need a rubber!

According to the HistoryHouse the words Sand Castle, came into use in print in the 19th century and a book entitled 'Conversation of a father and his Children' has the illustration below and was published in 1838.
Sand castle building competitions began at seaside resorts by the end of the century. In 1900, one competition created controversy in Rhyl, North Wales. The company of Bovril sponsored a sand castle building completion, and their name had to be used on the castle. A few days later a whisky company sponsored a similar competition, again their name had to be included which did not go down well with the temperance movement! 

So the pastime has been around for many holidays. Countless children, helped, or not, by countless parents, some enthusiastically instigating projects on a scale worthy of planning permission (see above). Tides will ebb and tides will flow. Desires to hold back the sea will be dashed, and creations on beaches across the world will be wiped clean, a fresh slate for the uninhibited artist of tomorrow.

Traditional Sand Castle
The humble sandcastle
bucket and spade
Tools for the Beach

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Visit Brodick Castle on the Isle of Arran

20/8/2014

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Brodick Castle, Arran, Scotland

A fine National Trust property in Scotland

Did you know that Brodick Castle and Country Park is unique in being the only island country park in Britain?

Standing majestically in the foreground of Arran's highest mountain Goatfell, and with commanding views across Brodick Bay over to the Ayrshire mainland, the property oozes heritage and style in line with it's 800 year origins.

A great family day out. For rainy days or sunny days. Landscaped gardens, waterfalls, woodland trails and wildlife ponds are all to be found within the castle grounds. Inside are all the usual - and unusual! - artefacts associated with castle treasures and the family's history.


And you can even get married there! Wedding details.

Joining the National Trust? Here's a Secret . . . 

We all know the benefits of joining the National Trust, but it may be surprising to hear that if you join the Scottish National Trust you will receive all the benefits of membership, including access to all UK locations, while saving a substantial amount on your annual fee.

As a comparison at the time of writing, a family membership (2 adults and 4 children) would cost you £98* per year on the UK site, however the same membership on NTS is a huge £31 cheaper at only £67!

We joined the NT at Brodick Castle as a family back in 1998 and for many years, as the children grew up, we enjoyed access to superb locations all across the UK. I recall the only reduction to the membership was the lack of a hand book, but with internet and a little planning the saving should buy you coffee and cakes all round!

*NB there is a discount if paid via DD for the first year but this does not continue for subsequent renewals.
Goatfell, Brodick, Arran, Scotland
Goatfell on the Isle of Arran, Scotland
Armour
Generic armour image
Coffee and Cake, Arran
A 'free' Coffee & Cake?

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The 'Doon' Blackwaterfoot on the Isle of Arran

19/8/2014

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Drumadoon Point

Looking exceedingly beautiful in summer, this basalt cliff is one of the great features of a walk from Blackwaterfoot to the Kings Caves at Machrie (just visible on the far left of the picture).

The walk can begin at the car park at Machrie, 3k north on the A841 from Blackwaterfoot, or indeed from the village. Taking roughly 3 - 4 hours this is a round walk, which is well marked, covering approximately 5 miles. When approaching 'The Doon' your choices are the lower boulder path by the shore, a relatively easy but narrow path at the base of the cliff (not accessible in summer), or a route around the rear and over the top.

One of the benefits of beginning at the Machrie, maybe the tempting scones and coffee freshly made at 'Felicity's' by the golf course, or for those of a more hungry nature a varied lunch menu!
Cafe, Blackwaterfoot, Arran
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Kite Flying on Blackwaterfoot Beach, Arran, Scotland

18/8/2014

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Kite on Blackwaterfoot Beach, Arran, Scotland

"The Kite" by Harry Behn


How bright on the blue
Is a kite when it's new!

With a dive and a dip
It snaps its tail
Then soars like a ship
With only a sail

As over tides
Of wind it rides,

Climbs to the crest
Of a gust and pulls,
Then seems to rest
As wind falls.

When string goes slack
You wind it back

And run until
A new breeze blows
And its wings fill
And up it goes!

How bright on the blue
Is a kite when it's new!

But a raggeder thing
You never will see
When it flaps on a string
In the top of a tree.


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Brodick Highland Games, Arran 2014

8/8/2014

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Brodick Highland Games 2014 Arran

Ormidale Sports Pavilion, Brodick  11.00 - 17.00

Brodick Highland Games have been held almost every year since 1886. The 2014 Games take place on Sat 9th August.beginning at 11.00am and ticket prices are £3.00 per adult, children are free and concessions are £1.00.
Brodick Highland Games 2014 Arran
Brodick Highland Games 2014 Arran

According to Wikipedia:

Weather Brodick Highland Games 2014 Arran
And just look at the proposed weather for the day according to the BBC - so sun hats and sun creams will be the order of the day!
Highland games are events held throughout the year in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Certain aspects of the games are so well known as to have become emblematic of Scotland, such as the bagpipes, the kilt, and the heavy events, especially the caber toss. While centred on competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, and Scottish heavy athletics, the games also include entertainment and exhibits related to other aspects of Scottish and Gaelic culture.

The Cowal Highland Gathering, better known as the Cowal Games, held in Dunoon, Scotland, every August, is the largest Highland games in the world,[1] attracting around 3,500 competitors and somewhere in the region of 23,000 spectators[1] from around the globe. Worldwide, however, it is exceeded in terms of spectators by two gatherings in the United States: the estimated 30,000[2] that attend Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and the even larger[citation needed] gathering—the largest in the Northern Hemisphere[clarification needed]—that has taken place every year since 1865 hosted by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco. This event is currently held on Labor Day weekend in Pleasanton, California.

The games are claimed to have influenced Baron Pierre de Coubertin when he was planning the revival of the Olympic Games. De Coubertin saw a display of Highland games at the Paris Exhibition of 1889


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The Wonderful Shiskine Golf Course circa 1965?

1/8/2014

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Golf on the Isle of Arran, Scotland

Blackwaterfoot, Isle of Arran, Scotland.

Well it could be, except I don't think Felicity's restaurant and tea room existed back then?

Just couldn't resist taking this image this morning whist enjoying our coffee and fresh cream scone sitting on the terrace. A young chap enjoying perhaps his first taste of the splendid game, and horses off down the beach bathed in the welcomed sunshine of the day. A tweak or two in the appropriate software and this 2014 picture is transformed back in time.

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Arran Whisky Video

30/7/2014

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Beautifully filmed and narrated, this video from the Arran Whisky company at Lochranza is a joy to watch, and with a Trip Advisor certificate of excellence awarded for 2014, the distillery has got to be a location to visit when on the island. For more information see their website at: ArranWhisky.com for daily tours and to view their wonderful selection of Malts.
Arran Whisky certificate

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    Arran Blog

    Jacqueline and Geoff moved to the beautiful Isle of Arran in 2012, and have been visiting since 1998.

    With their hearts forever in Blackwaterfoot, they combine writing, storytelling and photographic talents, working on, and off the Island.


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