The Island has been a holiday destination for many years and is often refurred to as Scotland in minature with its rugged mountainous peaks remonissant of the Scottish Highlands at the north end, the plush green dairy land to the south, the lowland.  All around the coast there are small picturesque villages.

The highest of the hills Goat Fell at 873.5 meters (2,866ft) and three other corbetts in the north east Caisteal Abhail, Cir Mhor and Beinn Tarsuinn and Beinn Bharrain the highest peak in the north west at 721 meters (2,365ft) are a must for hill walkers, climbers and geologists.

The island sports 7 golf courses as well as providing watersports and mountain biking with the Arran Adventure team, paragliding, pony treking  and horse riding it has an enormous amount to offer its visitors with many activities, local attractions and spectacular wild life.

PLACES TO VISIT 

Brodick Castle & Gardens                                       Glen Ashdale Waterfall

Arran Heritage Museum                                          Machrie Moor Standing Stones

Balmichael Visitors Centre                                      King’sCave

Arran Distillery                                                         Arran Brewery

The Holy Isle

Arran also offers a wealth of culinary experiences with Creelers artisan smokehouse, cheese makers Bellevue Cheese Company, The Island Cheese Company and Torrylinn  Creamery, its own icecream from Arran Dairies, fabulous Wooleys oatcakes and chocolates from James of the Arran Chocolate Company to mention just a few. There are also some very good restaurants, cafes and bars on the island.

The Isle of Arran, being the largest in the Firth of Clyde and the seventh largest of the Scottish isles is 20 miles long, 12 miles across and 56 miles around the coast. Due to its proximity it is one of the most accessable islands from the mainland with two Calmac ferries servicing the island.

HOW TO GET THERE

The Brodick ferry is a large roll on roll off ferry with a capacity for 110 cars, however it is neccessary to book if you are bringing a car. The crossing takes 55 minute from the harbour in the town of Ardrossan, 30 miles west of Glassow, by road or one hour by train to Ardrossan Harbour from Glasgow Central station. By road from the south take the M6 onto the M74 and then there are various options before you reach Glasgow to take routes west for Ardrossan Harbour.

The smaller ferry sails between Lochranza at the north end of the island to Clonaig in Kintyre during the summmer months (March – October) and takes 30minutes. During the winter this ferry sails from Lochranza to Tarbert on Loch Fyne, Argyll and takes an hour and a half hours. During the summer months these boats run constantly and if you are travelling from or to the north, west, east or central Scotland, catching this ferry opens up a breathtaking alternative route by road. Timetables can be found on www.calmac.co.uk.

If you misjudge the ferry at Clonaig a visit to the splendid medieval castle at Skipness and a visit to the Skipness Seafood Cabin is a must. (whitsun bank holiday May – end September)