Scotland, in the British Isles, is a tremendous place to have a vacation featuring a plentiful selection of visitor attractions including some of the most impressive museums and galleries in Great Britain,  countryside perfect for hill-walkers, mountain climbers, hikers, ramblers and the likes as well as a huge collection of castles, country houses, historical buildings and fortified houses.  In the article below I introduce the island of Arran and describe why this is such a fantastic place in which to have a short vacation.

The Isle of Arran is the 7th largest Scottish island and although it is commonly classed as part of the Hebrides it is in fact further south in the Firth of Clyde.  With tourism as the main industry on the Isle of Arran it will not surprise you to discover that there is an incredible number of hotels on the Isle of Arran.  Though the overall majority of visitors arrive at the island in order to enjoy the breathtaking countryside there are also a small selection of local attractions including; Brodick Castle Gardens, Arran Heritage Museum, Arran Transport Museum and Kildonan Castle.

There are a few centres of population, the biggest is Brodick, where you will find the ferry terminal with ferries running to Ardrossan on the Scottish mainland. Lamlash, located four miles south of Brodick, is the point of departure to Holy Island.

Lochranza is most populous settlement in the northerly region of the island and will find the site of the ferry terminal where you can sail to Claonaig on the east coast of the Kintyre peninsula.  It is important to know that the ferry only sails in the summer months. The village is located in a wide, and picturesque, bay with the ruined Lochranza Castle being the main attraction.

The village of Blackwaterfoot is the biggest on the western coast of Arran. It has a tiny harbour, a public house and a garage and petrol station. Different settlements worth visiting are; Kilmory (south coast), Corrie (north of Brodick), Whiting Bay (south of Brodick), Catacol (in the north) and lastly Pirnmill which has the best beach on Arran.

If you currently considering a Scottish vacation and you are looking for Isle of Arran Hotels please take a look at our listings of Arran bed and breakfast accommodation.