Isle of Arran

Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park

(http://www.nts.org.uk/Pro...) is undoubtedly Arran's proudest and most photogenic historic building, and is open to the public seven days a week, although due to constrained finances only slightly more expensive guided tours are available inside the castle on Fridays and Saturdays - however these include excellent histories and details from knowledgeable docents. Opening hours - Castle: 1 Apr to 31 Oct, Sun-Thurs 11–4.00 closes 3.00 in Oct; Country Park: all year, daily 9.30–sunset; Reception Centre, Shop and Walled Garden: 1 Apr to 31 Oct, daily 10–4.30, 1 Nov to 21 Dec, Fri/Sat/Sun 10–3.30. A Brodick Castle Day Out ticket is available from any ScotRail staffed station within Strathclyde or ScotRail Telesales. This ticket includes: Return rail travel from any Strathclyde rail station to Ardrossan Harbour, return ferry travel on the Caledonian Macbrayne ferry from Ardrossan Harbour to Brodick Pier, return bus connection with Stagecoach Western from Brodick Pier to Brodick Castle and admission to Brodick Castle.

Arran Brewery, Brodick - located at the base of the footpath towards Goat Fell. There is an independent restaurant facing you in the main driveway, but walk around the corner to the Brewery itself for some generous free beer tasting and the opportunity of buying 8 pint jerry cans of some excellent real ale! Although not technically holding a licence, you can get away with drinking on the adjacent picnic tables.

Distillery at Lochranza

Visit the Clan Horse Arran farm park (http://www.clanhorsearran.com)

Lochranza Castle

is partially ruined and the interior is accessible, its setting beside the sea in Lochranza is quite stunning. The castle gate key may be attained at the town hall in Lochraza if the gate is locked.

Seals

Are often visible in the sea around arran

The fairies in the garden on Holy Isle

Standing stones, stone circles and cairns

Are grave markers some very large dotted all over the island. an ordnance survey map landranger 69 or for more detail explorer 361 will help you locate them. the best-known are at machrie moor, near the village of machrie. it will take you 20 minutes or so by foot through sheep pastures to reach the large circle of standing stones, so appropriate footwear is advisable.

Golden Eagles

Can be seen over the mountainous north of the island, as well as diving birds around the coast, hen harriers towards the south, ravens widespread, many deer throughout the island and even red squirrels can be occasionally sighted. many 'migrating birds have been reported between the seasons, including waxwings and crossbills. some more nnorthern birds have also been known to become windswept southwards, for example the white-tailed sea eagle and long-tailed skuas.

Torrylinn Creamery

Cheese shop/viewing gallery/picnic area. Traditional cheese making Dunlop Cheddar using 100% Arran milk, since 1947.

Island Cheese Company

Visit the shop at Duchess Court or order Arran hampers online.

Corrie Caves - approx 2/3 into the village, can be accessed from the Shore Road, and is best visited as part of a steep trek to the top of the hill. There is even an old, rusty car in one of them! Note that parking is very limited.