Arran

Arran is the largest of the islands in the Firth of Clyde and, with its mountainous area to the north and lower lying land to the south, the island is described as Scotland in Miniature.

The main approach to the island is by ferry from Ardrossan in North Ayrshire to Brodick on the eastern side of the island. As the ferry approaches the island, Goat Fell, at 874m/2866ft the highest point on the island, dominates the view with Brodick Castle nestled in the trees below it on the northern side of Brodick Bay. The ferry terminal is on the southern side of the bay. Brodick itself offers much more for the visitor than most will appreciate as they head out to see what the island has to offer.

During the summer there is also a ferry that runs from Lochranza on the north of the island to Claonaig on the Kintyre peninsula. Once on the island the main road, the A840, allows the visitor to travel round the entire island, following close to the coast, while the B880, which is also known as the String Road, cuts across from Brodick in the east to Blackwaterfoot in the west. Further south the Ross Road also cuts across the island.

As mentioned above the A840 follows closely to the coast of the island and the majority of people would probably head south, travelling around the island in a clockwise direction. So leaving Brodick and the mountains behind the next settlement is Lamlash overlooking Lamlash Bay and the Holy Isle to the east. The Ross Road heads southwest from Lamlash while the main road continues, past Whiting Bay, to the southern end of the island where the smaller island of Pladda comes into view.

The road now heads west, passing through Kildonan, Kilmory and Lagg, joining the southwest end of the Ross Road. The southern end of Kintyre can now be seen across the water as the road gradually turns north again, heading towards Blackwaterfoot where the String Road heads back towards Brodick. North of Blackwaterfoot is the King's Cave; a large sea cave formed c.4000 BC that local legend says is where Robert the Bruce saw the spider. It is also associated with Fingal.

The A841 continues north from Blackwaterfoot, passing Machrie Moor, and Catacol, with the cottages known as the Twelve Apostles, on its way to Lochranza with its ferry terminal, castle and the island's only distillery. From Lochranza the main road heads southeast, continuing its way around the island, past Sannox and Corrie before heading south towards Brodick.

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