Explore The Isle of Arran

The Isle of Arran is a beautiful small island sitting neatly at the mouth of the River Clyde on the west coast of Scotland. Sometimes known as “Scotland in miniature” this island has absolutely everything for the day tripper as well as the family looking to have a weeks holiday here in sunny Scotland.

Arran itself is only 20miles long and 10miles wide with a coastal road which circles the entire 55miles of the island, many visitors from the mainland actually get the CalMac ferry across to Brodick (the main town) in the morning, have a beautiful day cycling around Arran coast enjoying the full 360 degree vistas, a quick bite to eat and then get the ferry back in the evening.

This wonderful island may be small in size but it is absolutely packed with amazing wildlife, spectacular views and family activities as well as castles, prehistoric ruins and historical sites.

If you are a keen wildlife spotter then this is certainly the place to bring your camera and binoculars, its not your average animals and birds which you will see either. This wildlife haven shows off in style with red squirrels, deer, golden eagles soaring up in the mountains with seals, otters and even basking sharks feeding along the coastline.

The Island is also very similar to Scotland in terms of its geology with fertile valleys and meadows in the south, yet to the north of the island it is very different with large rugged mountains and deep valleys.

In my eyes, what I think makes Arran so special is you feel as if you are completely out in the wilderness and you have all these wonderful walks, wildlife and views all to yourself and yet you are only a 30minute ferry ride from civilisation.

If you are looking for a wee day out or a longer #staycation in the UK then you certainly can’t go wrong with an unforgettable trip to the Isle of Arran, you will arrive by boat wondering what you will encounter and I can guarantee you will certainly leave inspired by the islands scenery, wildlife, heritage and more importantly the locals you will meet along the way.

Historic Environment Scotland

"Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba"

We lead and enable Scotland’s first historic environment strategy Our Place in Time, which sets out how our historic environment will be managed. It ensures our historic environment is cared for, valued and enhanced, both now and for future generations.

Machrie

• Admire an ancient burial place on a hillside overlooking a bay on one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands. Auchagallon was built about 4,000 years ago, and was probably a kerbed burial cairn.

Lochranza

• At first glance, Lochranza Castle looks like a classic Scottish L-plan tower house of the 1500s. But looking closer, we can see that it’s been redeveloped from a much earlier medieval hall-house. Lochranza Castle is situated on a peninsula extending into beautiful Loch Ranza in the north of Arran.

Machrie Moor

• This rich archaeological landscape includes stone circles, standing stones, burial cairns and cists, as well as hut circles and an extensive field system, all dating to between 3500 and 1500 BC. The stone circles were preceded by elaborate timber circles on exactly the same sites. They were associated with religious activities dating back around 4,500 years. Cremation and inhumation burials were placed in the circles, long after they were first built.

Lagg

• Torrylin Cairn is much-disturbed today, having been robbed, ploughed and dumped upon for years. But its exposed burial chamber lies well-preserved, enabling us to examine a Neolithic resting place. The cairn’s a typical Clyde type tomb, and there’s evidence that ritual and burial activity both took place here. It was originally likely similar to the relatively undisturbed cairn on Carn Ban, nearby on Arran.

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"Five Routes"

"One great adventure"

Explore 5 great adventures and discover an authentic experience of Scotland travelling around the Clyde Coast and Islands; an unexplored melting pot of secret places, fresh discoveries and breath-taking journeys. Delve into a fusion of contrasting landscapes, charming locals and colourful communities. The Coig tells plenty of stories with provenance and style in 5 new enchanting Scottish touring routes.

Explore the towns and villages of The Shire, situated in the south-west of Scotland. There is a clear legacy upon these lands of traditional industries such as fishing, mining, and farming, but perhaps unexpectedly The Shire also boasts an explosive, romantic and ancient cultural heritage.

The Sheil is where the west coast’s seaside towns and maritime heritage meet the wild and romantic landscape of Clyde Muirsheil. It is also often known as the gateway to the islands of Bute, Arran and Cumbrae.

Once the beach resort of choice of fashionable mainland Glaswegians, the Isle of Bute remains a popular seaside destination, enhanced by the preservation of its authentic Victorian promenade. As Bute’s main town, Rothesay presents a well-manicured waterfront with glorious gardens and grand architecture – epitomised in the architectural masterpiece of Mount Stuart House and Gardens.

Great Cumbrae is a tiny island which is enormously memorable! Merely four miles in length and two miles wide, the island is reached by ferry crossing from Largs, with Great Cumbrae as a whole often conflated with Millport, its only town.

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Tourist Routes

CalMac Ferries

"Every Journey Starts a Story"

Take a trip to Scotland's West Coast isles and you're bound for experiences you won't find anywhere else. You'll make lasting memories and have stories to tell again and again. With 29 destinations to choose from, whether you're looking for a short break, a day trip or a longer Island Hopping Adventure, when you set sail with us, you're off on an adventure. Begin your story today.

CalMac Social Media

Recommended Guides

"VIP tours"

If you are looking to explore Scotland in style why not book a personalised V.I.P tour with one of the finest tour companies in Scotland to help create those unforgettable moments.

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Tourist Routes

"Other beautiful routes to explore"

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From as little as £36 a month "the smARt concierge" is designed to help your guests make the best use of your in-house facilities and services whilst providing them with an abundance of local information to enhance their visit and make the most of their valuable time.

To find out more and receive a free, no obligation quote please complete the form below.

#Your business in their pockets 24/7

#Always in the Palm of your Hands

"the smARt concierge" for accommodation providers is designed to help their guests make the best use of their in-house facilities and services whilst providing them with an abundance of local information to enhance their visit and make the most of their valuable time.

Please find below a quick overview, information, benefits and reasons why you should install your very own

"smARt concierge"

"Always in the palm of your hand"

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Give visitors, guests and even passers by the opportunity to see all you have to offer, when you are too busy or even closed

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✓ Introduction videos, images, messages.

✓ Book Direct, browse menu’s.

✓ See Promotions, Events, Offers.

✓ Promote your local favourite Hidden Gems, walks, views, wildlife.

✓ Promote your local area ( all activities added to the explorer).

✓ No need for long URL’s or remembering Web addresses.

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✓ Create the experience you would want to have.

✓ Trust, relaxation, spark imagination.

"Bringing it all together"

“The smARt explorer” is designed to give your customers or guests a more unique personalised service built around your activities needs and requirements giving the visitors the complete WOW factor, while showcasing your amenities to the max.

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“AS WE GROW YOU GROW"

"Installation"

Simply place the unique “logo image” in a place for your visitors and guests to scan

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It's incredibly difficult but increasingly important to get recognised and to get to a point where you are seen by potential customers online as well as promoting and creating physical awareness.

Marketing Individually

? Where do you advertise?

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? You need to create all your own content

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With our unique integrated system and collaboration we will be promoting from multiple channels with many different groups, areas, subjects and events as well as indivudual pushes.

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Marketing Together

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More importantly we can see where and what the visitors are looking at and we can built up and picture with the analytics and find out important information of where the visitors are coming and going.

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