@ArranHoliday
  • Arran Blog
  • Arran Prints

Why do we build Sand Castles?

21/8/2014

0 Comments

 
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

0 Comments

Visit Brodick Castle on the Isle of Arran

20/8/2014

0 Comments

 
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?

0 Comments

It's just about a Beach Walk

16/10/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture

Blackwaterfoot Beach, south west Arran

Walk on Blackwaterfoot beach and each time something will be different.

The light.

Intense and low; above Kintyre, amongst Kintyre, long shadow, no shadow?

The sea.

In, out, crashing, loud, alive and joyful, or still as stillness itself?

The sand.

Rippled, smooth, wet, dry; foot-printed, bird-printed, hoof-printed; sand-castled and dappled with coloured seaweed . . or . . not?

The sky.

Azure blue, burnt orange; rain-bowed and clouded, dark as night, fresh as day?

You cannot be bored on the beach.

GH.


1 Comment

October Half-Term, an Arran Adventure

19/9/2013

0 Comments

 
Arran Family HolidayArran Family Holiday October 1998
Arran for the First Time

Our first holiday on Arran was in October 1998. We had come ready, both physically and mentally, for whatever the weather might throw our way. We found wild contrasts. One minute there were rolling black clouds and heaving rain. It was all travelling so fast that in moments it would give way to crystal blue skies and a rich low sun. Not once did we have to settle for lengthy mid grey.

But the real magic lay in between: there were rainbows everywhere we looked. We counted thirty three in the course of the week, arcing across the sky and glittering in waterfalls. It was spectacular. Other vivid memories were the seals at Kildonan that made it look as if the rocks were moving; Geoff and Oliver with limpet rings for spectacles; Sam with head tossed back drinking the rain at King’s Cave. 

It’s a great time of year, and quieter than August!

JH.


0 Comments

    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.


    Tweets by @ArranHoliday
    2nd Image Photography

    Arran walks on mobile

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    October 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    Categories

    All
    12 Apostles
    3 Bedroom House
    5:1 Surround Cinema
    5th November
    Ailsa Craig
    Arran
    Arran Holiday Review
    Arran Property
    Arran Sky
    Art Supplies
    Astronomy
    Autumn
    Baking
    Barn
    Barn Owl
    Beach
    Birds
    Blackwaterfoot
    Bleaters
    Boat
    Bonfire Night
    Book
    Breakfast
    Brodick
    Brownies
    Cafe
    Cafe Thyme
    Calmac
    Car
    Catacol
    Cereal
    Coffee
    Composition
    Construction
    Cottage Accommodation
    Cottage Review
    Dawn
    Dobby
    Dog Friendly
    Eating
    Electric Car
    Entertainment
    Fairy Folk
    Family Holiday
    Ferry
    Fika
    Film
    Fireworks
    Flowers
    Folklore
    Fungi
    Goat Fell
    Golf
    Granola
    Half Term
    Half-term
    Harry Potter
    Healthy
    Highland Cow
    Highland Games
    Holiday
    Image
    International Space Station
    Lamlash
    Lochranza
    Lochranza Castle
    Machrie Moor
    Male Deer
    Movie
    Nature
    Photography
    Pladda
    Poem
    Property For Sale
    Quirky
    Rainbow
    Rule Of Thirds
    Sandcastles
    School Holiday
    Scones
    Scotland
    Scottish Island
    Scottish Island House Sale
    Sea
    Seals
    Snow
    Spring Lamb
    Stag
    Standing Stone
    Stone Circles
    Travel
    Ufo
    Unusual
    Video
    Walking
    Walks Arran
    Whisky
    Whiting Bay
    Wildlife
    Winter
    Writing

Facebook: http://facebook.com/arranholidayGB
Twitter: @arranholiday
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/arranholiday
Email: info@arranholiday.com