Arran, Scotland in Miniature

Leaving Edinburgh and Glasgow behind we make for the port of Ardrossan where the mid-afternoon ferry awaits. Once aboard, why not head for the outside decks to supervise our departure from the harbour. It’s all part of the holiday experience.

The journey will take just under an hour, and with the mainland slipping into the distance, it’s time to move below to relax over a coffee or browse the well-stocked shop for a locally-sourced souvenir.

All too soon we arrive in Brodick Bay, so have your camera to hand to capture the view of Brodick Castle with towering Goatfell as a backdrop. On arrival, join the coach for the drive across the island to the village of Blackwaterfoot, our island home.

After a leisurely breakfast, we board our coach for a tour of the island. We’ll follow the 56-mile coastal route that will provide an ever-changing panorama of mountains, sea views and delightful villages.

Our tour starts by heading south to the almost-tropical village of Lagg, look out for the palm trees in the garden of the Lagg Hotel. Next, we travel through Whiting Bay to reach Lamlash, which sits in the shadow of the Holy Island, which has a long history as a sacred site. St Molios, the Irish missionary, is thought to have lived here in a hermits cave during the 7th Century. Today, it’s home to the Centre for World Peace and Health.    

There are lovely views of Brodick Bay as we descend into this bustling community. We’ll have an extended visit here later in the tour, so we continue the coastal drive to delightful Corrie, considered by many to be Arran’s most picturesque village.

The ruins of Lochranza Castle make a picture-perfect view looking out over Loch Ranza. This is a rare example of a hall-house dating from the 1200s. It was redeveloped in the 1500s, into the tower house we see today.

Lochranza is also the home of Arran Malt Whisky. We’ll make a visit so you can discover the production process and learn the colourful story of whisky-making on the island. At the end of the tour, there is a tutored tasting of the end product.

The final part of our tour will take us to delightful Catacol, where you’ll see the row of cottages known as the “12 Apostles”, then to Machrie, where a mysterious stone circle look out to sea.

Tonight, after dinner, a local historian will enthral you with the tale of the peculiar Goat Fell murder of 1889.

Today you can choose between relaxing in the Blackwaterfoot or taking an optional excursion to the beautiful Isle of Gigha.

On the excursion, we make the short drive to Lochranza where we board the ferry for a sail across the Kilbrannan Sound to reach Claonaig, on the Mull of Kintyre. We travel to Tayinloan where a second ferry awaits for our crossing to Gigha.

We will arrive at Ardminish and make our way to the Gigha Hotel for a light lunch. This afternoon we’ll visit Achnamore Gardens which were created by Sir James Horlicks, of bedtime drink fame. These colourful gardens boast magnificent displays of azaleas and rhododendrons as well as other exotic plants and flowers. There are great views towards the islands of Islay and Jura to enjoy too.

Later we’ll make our return journey back to Arran, where dinner will be served in our hotel.

A leisurely breakfast today before boarding our coach for the journey across the famous String Road to reach Brodick Castle. Situated overlooking Brodick Bay and the Firth of Clyde, the castle can trace its history back to Viking times.

This was the seat of the Dukes of Hamilton until 1895. Inside the castle, there are lovely examples of 17th-Century furniture as well as a remarkable sports collection. The art collection includes portraits by Clouet, Van Dyck and Winterhalter.

The extensive castle grounds contain plants from Tibet and China as well an internationally acclaimed rhododendron collection. If you want to wander further afield, the adjacent country park has woodland walks, waterfalls and wildlife ponds to explore.     

This afternoon we’ll spend at leisure in Brodick. It’s the ideal place to pick a souvenir of your time in Arran.

Arran Aromatics make a range of toiletries that are inspired by the nature of the island. If you prefer something a bit more culinary seek out Arran Mustard or Arran Cheese, they both come in a variety of flavours and make a tasty reminder of your island stay.