Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lochranza
he ruined castle that occupies the mud flats of the surrounding bay and the brooding
north-facing slopes of the mountains that frame it make for one of the most spectacular
ensembles on the island, yet
LOCHRANZA
, despite being the only place of any size in
this sparsely populated area, attracts far fewer visitors than Arran's southern resorts.
Lochranza distillery
South end of the village • March-Oct daily 10am-6pm, first tour 10.15am, then every 90mins • £6 •
T
01770 830264,
W
arranwhisky.com
Lochranza's main tourist attraction now is the island's modern
distillery
, distinguished
by its pagoda-style roofs at the south end of the village. Established as recently as 1995
- the first on the island since 1837 - the distillery produces the relatively little-known,
fourteen-year old single Arran malt. he tour itself is an entertaining and slick affair,
beginning with an audiovisual presentation in a mock-up crofter's cottage, before you
are led through the distillery along with thoroughgoing explanations of the various
processes. It concludes, naturally, with a dram.
ACCOMMODATION
LOCHRANZA
Apple Lodge
500m from the distillery on the main
through road
T
01770 830229,
W
applelodgearran
.co.uk.
The old village manse accommodates several
beautifully conceived rooms decked out with colourful
embroidery and paintings, and an abundance of ant
ique
furnishings; one contains a superb four-poster bed.
£80
Lochranza Camping
By the golf course
T
01770
830273,
W
arran-campsite.com.
Relaxed and scenically
placed campsite where red deer come to graze in the early
evening. There are also a couple of cool two-man pods.
Rece
ptio
n is basicall
y the
golf clubhouse (a hut).
March-
Oct.
£16
/pitch; pods
£60
SYHA hostel
Not far from the castle, en route to the
ferry terminal
T
01770 830631,
W
syha.org.uk.
Friendly
and well-equipped
SYHA
hostel with views over the bay.
Breakf
ast £
4.50, pa
cked
lunch £5.50.
Mid-Feb to Oct.
Dorms
£17
; doubles
£38
4
EATING AND DRINKING
Sandwich Station
T
07810 796248.
If you're just
passing through, or need a packed lunch, pop into
this super little sandwich bar and deli opposite the
CalMac slipway; hot breakfast rolls, grilled panini and
home-made soup are sample offerings.
April-Oct Mon
5.30-10pm, Tues-Sun 9am-5pm; Nov-March Tues-
Fri 9am-2pm.
Stags Pavilion
T
01770 830600,
W
stagspavilion
.com.
Accomplished restaurant located in an attractive
pavilion at the entrance to the campsite, with yummy
Italian dishes like
pollo cacciatore
(hunter's chicken in a
tomato, mushroom and olive sauce). It's not licensed but
you can bring your own bottle. Reservations advised.
Mon
5.30-10pm, Tues-Sun 10am-4pm & 5.30-10pm.
