Isle of Arran
Firth Cottage is beautifully tucked away so you can have as much peace and quiet as you like. The beauty of Arran is that there is also lots and lots to do. Golfing, fishing, beaches, spa days, cosy cafes, craft shops, distillery tours, wildlife, hiking and biking - you name it, Arran has it!
Kinloch Hotel offers indoor leisure facilities and is only 8 miles away. Adjacent to the beautiful Blackwaterfoot beach you will find Cairnhouse riding stables, the famous Shiskine Golf and Tennis club (one of 7 golf courses on the island!) and local shops. Additionally there is a golf driving range at Balmichael Visitor Centre.
Kinloch Hotel offers indoor leisure facilities and is only 8 miles away. Adjacent to the beautiful Blackwaterfoot beach you will find Cairnhouse riding stables, the famous Shiskine Golf and Tennis club (one of 7 golf courses on the island!) and local shops. Additionally there is a golf driving range at Balmichael Visitor Centre.
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Inhabited since neolithic times, Arran is one of the most southerly Scottish islands and is located in the Firth of Clyde between Ayrshire and Kintyre. Arran is 19 miles long by 10 miles wide but has a remarkable diversity of landscapes and seascapes, thanks to the fact that the ancient Highland Fault Line literally crosses through the middle of the island.
The pretty villages on Arran's beautiful coastline are complemented by a rugged and mountainous interior in the north and green rolling hills and woodland in the south. Whether you're looking to get away from it all, have an action-packed break, visit friends and family or just uncover the hidden delights, there really is something for everyone here. Our Arran cottage is the ideal self-catering holiday home and an ideal base to explore it all! LINKS Lots of useful information on Arran from the Visit Scotland website. Ayrshire and Arran Tourist Board A great restaurant by the sea serving a variety of dishes Kildonan Hotel Looking for a pool or a spa? Have a look at this facility Kinloch Hotel |
A beautiful golf course and tennis club
Shiskine Golf and Tennis More detailed information about what to do in Arran Visit Arran Website Dedicated page on Arran Wikitravel More information on the Island Undiscovered Scotland |
Things to do
Arran in one day
A great way to get familiar with Arran is to spend your first day driving a circular route. From Firth Cottage, you can start going north, making a first brief stop at the King's cave.
Continuing on the main road along the coast with beautiful views of the Mull of Kintyre until you reach Lochranza. Make another stop here to visit a 13th century castle or, if you are lucky, to meet the tame deer which can often be spotted wandering around. Also in Lochranza is Arran's only distillery - an ideal spot for lunch.
If you are interested in seeing how whisky is made, the distillery offers tours of their facility as well as tastings of their fine whiskies. The cafe serves lovely home made food in an informal and relaxed setting.
Continuing along the main road, you will cross the north of the island, surrounded by beautiful mountains until you reach the east coast of Arran. The main attraction is Brodick castle and its beautiful gardens. Check the opening times (these vary by season), and if you have time stop for a visit - it's well worth it.
Further along lies Brodick itself, a good spot for a bit of shopping with its larger supermarket and bakery. You can then drive back to Firth Cottage, passing Lamlash, Holy Isle and Whiting Bay where you can stop at some beaches or enjoy a drink in the various pubs and cafes along the shore.
Full day excursion - Hiking Goat Fell
If you enjoy a more strenuous hike, Goat Fell is an ideal challenge on the Island. At 874 metres, it's the highest peak on the island, with amazing panoramic views of Arran, the Mull of Kintire, the mainland and on a clear day Jura, Islay and the Irish coast.
The entire walk can be done in around 5 hours, but you can make a day of it by stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. Ideally you should set off from Firth Cottage around 10-11 am so you can enjoy the best part of the day.
There are 2 main paths to reach the summit, one starting from Brodick castle and one (steeper but possibly more scenic) from the village of Corrie. Although steep at points the path is well maintained and once at the top you will be rewarded by some truly stunning views. You will be able to truly appreciate why Arran is called Scotland in miniature as the different landscapes and rock formations will extend in their diversity all around you.
A great way to get familiar with Arran is to spend your first day driving a circular route. From Firth Cottage, you can start going north, making a first brief stop at the King's cave.
Continuing on the main road along the coast with beautiful views of the Mull of Kintyre until you reach Lochranza. Make another stop here to visit a 13th century castle or, if you are lucky, to meet the tame deer which can often be spotted wandering around. Also in Lochranza is Arran's only distillery - an ideal spot for lunch.
If you are interested in seeing how whisky is made, the distillery offers tours of their facility as well as tastings of their fine whiskies. The cafe serves lovely home made food in an informal and relaxed setting.
Continuing along the main road, you will cross the north of the island, surrounded by beautiful mountains until you reach the east coast of Arran. The main attraction is Brodick castle and its beautiful gardens. Check the opening times (these vary by season), and if you have time stop for a visit - it's well worth it.
Further along lies Brodick itself, a good spot for a bit of shopping with its larger supermarket and bakery. You can then drive back to Firth Cottage, passing Lamlash, Holy Isle and Whiting Bay where you can stop at some beaches or enjoy a drink in the various pubs and cafes along the shore.
Full day excursion - Hiking Goat Fell
If you enjoy a more strenuous hike, Goat Fell is an ideal challenge on the Island. At 874 metres, it's the highest peak on the island, with amazing panoramic views of Arran, the Mull of Kintire, the mainland and on a clear day Jura, Islay and the Irish coast.
The entire walk can be done in around 5 hours, but you can make a day of it by stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. Ideally you should set off from Firth Cottage around 10-11 am so you can enjoy the best part of the day.
There are 2 main paths to reach the summit, one starting from Brodick castle and one (steeper but possibly more scenic) from the village of Corrie. Although steep at points the path is well maintained and once at the top you will be rewarded by some truly stunning views. You will be able to truly appreciate why Arran is called Scotland in miniature as the different landscapes and rock formations will extend in their diversity all around you.