Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
GOAT FELL
Arran's most accessible peak is also the island's highest,
Goat Fell
(2866ft) - take your pick
from the Gaelic,
goath
, meaning “windy”, or the Norse,
geit-fjall,
, “goat mountain” - which can
be ascended in just three hours from Brodick or from Corrie (return journey 5hr), though it's
a strenuous hike.
Much more attractive, however, are the walled
gardens
and extensive grounds, a
treasury of exotic plants and trees enjoying the favourable climate (including one of
Europe's finest collections of rhododendrons), and commanding a superb view across
the bay. There is an adventure playground for kids, but the whole area is a natural
playground, with waterfalls, a giant pitcher-plant that swallows thousands of midges
daily, and a maze of paths. Buried in the grounds there is a bizarre Bavarian-style
summerhouse
lined entirely with pine cones, one of three built by the eleventh duke to
make his wife, Princess Marie of Baden, feel at home. For the energetic there's also a
country park
with scenic walks and mountain-bike trails, starting from a small,
informative, hands-on nature centre. In summer there are
guided walks
with the
rangers, but at any time you can be surprised by red squirrels, nightjars and an
abundance of fungi.
ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
BRODICK
By bus
The main bus station is by the ferry terminal.
Destinations
Blackwaterfoot (Mon-Sat 8-10 daily, Sun 4
daily; 30min); Kildonan (4-6 daily; 40min); Lamlash
(Mon-Sat hourly, Sun 4 daily; 10-15min); Lochranza (3-5
daily; 45min); Whiting Bay (Mon-Sat hourly, Sun 4 daily;
25min).
Tourist o
ce
By the CalMac
pier (Mon-Sat 9am-5pm,
also June-Sept Sun 10am-5pm;
T
01770 303776,
W
visitarran.net).
ACCCOMMODATION AND EATING
Brodick Bar and Brasserie
Alma Rd
T
01770 302169,
W
brodickbar.co.uk.
There's decent fare on offer at this big,
family-oriented restaurant opposite the post o
ce. Chalked
up on a huge board, the diverse menu features lots of meaty
treats (pan-fried calves liver with Arran mustard; honey-
glazed belly of pork), while the home-made thin-crust pizzas
are worth a punt.
Mon-Sat noon-2.30pm & 5.30-10pm.
Creelers
Home Farm, in the Aran Visitor Centre
complex along the road to the castle
T
01770 302810,
W
creelers.co.uk.
Creelers
is the island's standout restau-
rant; fillet of halibut with chive mash and squat lobster
(£16.95) is typical of the dinner menu, while the cheaper
lunch menu features the likes of salt-and-pepper fried
squid with chips (£7.95). You can bring your own bottle too
(£3 corkage).
Easter-Oct Tues-Sat noon-2.30pm &
6-10pm.
Dunvegan Guest House
Shore Rd
T
01770 302811,
W
dunveganhouse.co.uk.
Within striking distance of
the ferry terminal, this prominently positioned sandstone
guesthouse has a selection of bright, m
odern
and comfort-
able rooms, most with direct sea views.
£80
Ì
Glen Rosa
Two miles from town off the B880
to Blackwaterfoot
T
01770 302380,
W
arrancamping
.co.uk.
This very basic, almost wild, campsite (no showers
and cold water only) enjoys a wonderful setting beside a
burn, with superb views across the glen. Campfires are
allowed too. There's no reception; the
ow
ner will pitch up
at some point and collect your money.
£4
/person
Ì
Glenartney Guest House
Mayish Rd
T
01770
302220,
W
glenartney-arran.co.uk
. Tucked away just
uphill from the post of
ce, this is the pick of the town's
guesthouses, with a dozen or so immaculately presented,
albeit not overly spacious, rooms. Two homely lounges
and an evening bar enhance the
Glenartney
's charms, while
you
can e
xpect a spectacular breakfast to see you on your
way.
£80
Lamlash and around
With its distinctive Edwardian architecture and mild climate,
Lamlash
, four miles
south of Brodick, epitomizes the sedate charm of southeast Arran. Lamlash Bay has in
its time sheltered King Håkon's fleet in 1263 before the Battle of Largs and, more
recently, served as a naval base in both world wars. The major drawback for the visitor,
however, is that its beach is made not of sand but of boulder-strewn mud flats.
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