Arran March 2024.

Our fourth trip to the beautiful Island of Arran was different from our earlier visits as we were staying just over one mile from the Brodick ferry terminal. Previous visits had been to various  sites in different parts of the island but we had never stayed near Brodick.

As part of a two hotel complex Auchrannie Resort has a Motorhome/Campervan Stopover with eight hardstanding pitches all with electric hook ups. Adjacent to the stopover is the Playbarn building which houses heated WCs and showers exclusively for campers. There's also free wi-fi available, which actually works! 

Stopover guests are welcome to use the resort facilities including two swimming pools, which we made use of especially on wet days, and a gym, although charges apply, two restaurants and three bars. The whole complex is beautifully set out and well kept by a multitude of staff.

The main centre of Brodick, as i previously said, is within easy walking distance from our base. So therefore near the Little Rock Cafe which we visited twice to sample, amongst there delights, a tasty fish supper. Also a visit the Arran Active the outdoor and walking shop is worth browsing on a wet afternoon. And to be fair we did get a lot of rain! But being brave souls we did not let that spoil our wee holiday.

From the rear of Auchrannie Resort we took a rather nice walk along the signposted walk to Clencloy and up into  the forest across what is known locally as the pony field and then onto the forest track. After 3 miles the rain got very much heavier so we decided to turn back, its was a good job we were appropriately dressed!

The following day it forgot to rain so an ideal day to visit  Brodick Castle. It can be approached along the Arran Coastal Walk, this section known as the Fishermans Walk which starts from behind the small CoOp at the north end of Brodick. The castle building did not open until Good Friday so we had to be content with a walk around the gardens, which believe me was no hardship. 

The castle is situated on the northern outskirts of Brodick and can be seen quite clearly from the town. It was the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton. The fortified tower dating from the 13th century was extended in the 16th century, and again by Cromwell in the 17th century. But it was not until the 19th century that the castle was finally extended to what we witness today.

 

In 1843 the 10th Duke of Hamilton decided that with a few modifications the castle would make a grand home for his son and his wife but he did not foresee the amount of modifications that would make it into a very fashionable Victorian mansion fit for one of Scotland’s richest and most powerful families. William the future 11th Duke and his royal bride Princess Marie of Baden wasted no time in adding what Marie described as ‘adding a few rooms’ which in fact doubled the size of the castle. Once this grand extension was complete Marie turned her attention to the grounds and along side German artist George Hering, she redesigned the surrounding landscape, introducing romantic walkways along with four decorative Bavarian summerhouses. The final Hamilton to reside in the castle was Lady Mary Louise Douglas-Hamilton who was a key figure in the conservation and development of the gardens that now forms the Country Park. Following the death of Lady Mary, Duchess of Montrose in 1957 Brodick Castle and the grounds came into the stewardship of the National Trust for Scotland. A very worthwhile day out. 

On the way back to Brodick from the castle grounds call into Home Farm were you will come across Janie’s ‘a cosy family run cafe” where you can get a fine selection of home backing and a selection of time meals. A must are the fruit scones.

Ever since we started to visit Arran we have been promising ourselves a visit to The Isle of Arran Heritage Museum, and finally, this time we made it.

The idea of an Heritage Museum was conceived by the late Miss Bess MacMillan M.B.E of Brodick. In 1976, the Isle of Arran Museum Association and the Isle of Arran Museum Trust were formed. They are non profit making bodies run by residents of Arran. The Trust is a charity and heavy cost of running the Museum is funded by annual memberships, entrance fees, donations and fund raising activities. 

The purpose of the Museum is to record, preserve and illustrate Arrans history. The vast collection of items on display have been donated by the folk of Arran and those with local connections. Built in the 18th century and originally the school and masters house, the Museum buildings were acquired in two sections.The first in 1976, consisted of the Smiddy, followed in 1977 by the semi-detached converted cottage a single storey building, the original Bothy was added, and in 1982, Rosaburn House. The house was re-modelled in 1983 to accommodate the Archives, the Special Exhibition Room and the tearoom kitchen. A further two storey extension to the Archives and storage room was added in 2017. Its certainly a couple of hours well spent.                                                https://www.arranmuseum.co.uk/

Another rain free rare day was promised, so we decided to head back to Cladach and explore the area leading up to Goatfell. First part of out walk was to Cnocan Gorge. Following the Ryder Trail and the Cnocan Burn until you reach a foot bridge which offers great views of the waterfall. 

From here you can follow a path which will take you into Glen Rosa. Picking up the path back along Castle Drive and then again into the grounds of Brodick Castle for our piece. A walk back along the shore via the Fishermans Walk completed a grand day out and no rain!

Our last full day was again mired by heavy rain, so two swims and a short walk to Brodick St Brides Church had to do.

The Island of Arran is always an enjoyable place to visit, but of course you have to put up with a very unreliable ferry service. Never quite knowing if your booked sea crossing would actually run. Our ferry from Ardrossan was on time, but while we were on the island two days ferries were either cancelled or restricted due to bad weather and their age. Our return was 45 minutes late but at least it sailed unlike later ferries that were cancelled. the same day.