BAIRDSTRAVEL TO ARRAN
June 2010 Bairdstravel went over to the island of Arran.
The island is sometimes referred to as "Scotland in miniature", as it is divided into "Highland" and "Lowland" areas by the Highland Boundary Fault which runs northeast to southwest across Scotland.
Arran has a number of villages that are mainly found around the shoreline. The "capital" is Brodick (Old Norse: "broad bay"), which is the site of the ferry terminal, several hotels and the majority of shops, although Lamlash is actually the largest village on the island. (In 2001 the former's population was 621 and Lamlash's was 1,010.) Brodick Castle is a seat of the Dukes of Hamilton. Other villages include Lochranza in the north, Corrie in the north east, Blackwaterfoot in the south west, Kildonan in the south and Whiting Bay in the south east. Catacol lies just down the road from Lochranza.
The island lies in the Firth of Clyde between Ayr and Kintyre. The profile of the north Arran hills as seen from the Ayrshire coast is a well-known sight referred to as the "Sleeping Warrior" due to its resemblance to a resting human figure. The highest of these hills is Goat Fell at 873.5 metres (2,866 ft). There are three other Corbetts all in the north east; Caisteal Abhail, Cìr Mhòr and Beinn Tarsuinn. Bheinn Bharrain is the highest peak in the north west at 721 metres (2,365 ft). The largest valley on the island is Glen Iorsa to the west, whilst narrow Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa to the east surround Goat Fell. The terrain to the south is less mountainous, although a considerable portion of the interior lies above 350 metres (1,150 ft) and the summit of A' Chruach reaches 512 metres (1,680 ft).
There are two other Marilyns in the south, Tighvein and Beinn Bhreac.
Here`s a pictorial guide to wonderful Arran
The Holy Isle, Firth of Clyde is one of a number of lands in the United Kingdom which go under the name "Holy Island". It is located in the Firth of Clyde off the west coast of central Scotland, inside Lamlash Bay on the larger island of Arran.
The island is now owned by the Samyé Ling Buddhist Community, who belong to the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. The settlements on the island include the Centre for World Peace and Health, founded by Lama Yeshe Losal, on the north of the island. This is an environmentally designed residential centre for courses and retreats which extends the former farm house. It has solar water heating and a reed-bed sewage treatment system. The approach from the ferry jetty is decorated with Tibetan flags.
#SCOTLANDHOUR
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