The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: bloomer on May 17, 2013, 02:53:50 pm

Title: Isle of Arran
Post by: bloomer on May 17, 2013, 02:53:50 pm
Hi


Does anyone live there or been there recently


looking for information as a prospective holiday destination, we are looking for peace and quiet it looks ideal but looking for 1st hand information.


Thanks



Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: Clarebelle on May 17, 2013, 03:28:43 pm
Long time ago now (about 11 years) but when I was doing A level geography we went to Arran and it was lovely. We did lots of hill walking, watched the deer in the fields. If thats the sort of thing you like then I would recommend it, it was a lovely trip.
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: bigchicken on May 17, 2013, 05:17:21 pm
Have fond memories of Arran many years ago my first born was conceived there , I remember there was a hotel there with a large conservatory built on to the side which smelt very strongly of cannabis, those were the days.  :eyelashes: :innocent:
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 17, 2013, 06:00:59 pm
I lived there for eleven years and still have contacts.  What sort of accommodation are you looking for? If you want self catering, try http://www.hazelwoodarran.co.uk/ (http://www.hazelwoodarran.co.uk/) It belongs to friends of mine and we're actually going to be there in September but staying in their part of the house with them.

Clarebelle, when you did your A-level Geography did you, by any chance, stay at Loch Ranza Centre?
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: bloomer on May 17, 2013, 06:06:27 pm
friends of Natalie's from uni have a house up there they are loaning us....


looking forward to it....
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 17, 2013, 06:15:31 pm
Lots of lovely walks if you're interested. Whereabouts is the house you are borrowing?
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: bloomer on May 17, 2013, 06:17:25 pm
no idea yet :-)


details coming soon hence why after general info


we weren't going to get a holiday this year cos of Nat's uni and lack of cash etc, when friend offered us the place for a week at the end of July if we wanted it...


We said yes, now looking at gathering info for the trip.
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: Floyd on May 17, 2013, 06:19:04 pm
We had a really nice chilled out time on Arran,  However, make sure you keep room in the car boot as the cheese is fantastic!
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: bloomer on May 17, 2013, 06:20:47 pm
I will always make room for cheese!!!
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 17, 2013, 06:41:58 pm
North Arran walk is good if you want a slightly strenuous walk with fantastic views. There's KIng's Cave where Robert the Bruce is reputed to have seen the spider. Blackwaterfoot has a very pretty harbour.
I lived in Lochranza which I think is the prettiest village on the island, with a lovely castle. The distillery is in Lochranza as well. JUst along the coast from there is Catacol with the famous Twelve Apostles - a terrace of cottages and a pub that does good food. Take a drive across the Machrie road for great views.

I don't know about you, but I've really whetted my appetite for Arran now.
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: Daisys Mum on May 17, 2013, 07:53:15 pm
Was there on holiday 2 years ago and have booked again for September, lovely relaxing holiday. Some great walks and some lovely little craft shops and tea rooms.
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: colliewobbles on May 17, 2013, 07:57:29 pm
WE holidayed there about 5 years ago - it was just lovely.  It is truly like Scotland in miniature as they say - with highlands, lowlands and every habitat in between.  Goat Fell and the surrounds give lovely strenuous walks, also loads of valley walks.  Our walk up the valley below Goat Fell was accompanied by a pair of golden eagles for most of the day!!

Enjoy  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 17, 2013, 08:24:14 pm
Forgot to mention the golden eagles. They nest in Lochranza and we often saw them flying above our house. Lots of other birds of prey, red deer, grey seals to be seen as well as otters, red squirrels and other wildlife if you are lucky enough to see them.

Daisy's mum, when in September will you be there? We are there from the end of August until the 6th September. Whereabouts do you stay?
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: in the hills on May 17, 2013, 08:31:00 pm
Ohhhh, now I want to go.  :(


Bet it's too far for our pup to travel this year. Going to Google it though.


Golden Eagles .........  :excited:
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: colliewobbles on May 17, 2013, 08:40:25 pm
Also - just remembered - when we did the cliff walk around the top of the island we watched a school of dolphins just offshore  ;D
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: Clarebelle on May 18, 2013, 09:05:34 am
I lived there for eleven years and still have contacts.  What sort of accommodation are you looking for? If you want self catering, try http://www.hazelwoodarran.co.uk/ (http://www.hazelwoodarran.co.uk/) It belongs to friends of mine and we're actually going to be there in September but staying in their part of the house with them.

Clarebelle, when you did your A-level Geography did you, by any chance, stay at Loch Ranza Centre?

yes I did, it was brilliant. What a great trip :D
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: southernskye on May 18, 2013, 12:01:07 pm
Don't forget to have a go at seeing the White Tailed Sea Eagles too, they are not resident but have been seen around.
Dolphin, minke whales and otter are a good possibility too.Hen harrier are resident along with peregrines. You'll be too early for basking sharks mind.
 
Be worth seeking out a boat trip one day.
Whatever you see or not. You'll have a great time...next time come to Skye :wave:
Rgds
Sskye
 
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 18, 2013, 09:18:20 pm
I lived there for eleven years and still have contacts.  What sort of accommodation are you looking for? If you want self catering, try http://www.hazelwoodarran.co.uk/ (http://www.hazelwoodarran.co.uk/) It belongs to friends of mine and we're actually going to be there in September but staying in their part of the house with them.

Clarebelle, when you did your A-level Geography did you, by any chance, stay at Loch Ranza Centre?

yes I did, it was brilliant. What a great trip :D

My best friend, Stuart Blake, is the manager there and has been there since soon after it opened. HIs wife, Liz also works there. I lived on the track up to North Arran. You probably did that walk on the Sunday. I've done a bit of work there myself.

My ex and I had the spinning and weaving workshop which you may have noticed, depending on when you were there.
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: happygolucky on May 18, 2013, 11:07:18 pm
My dads cousin had a house in Arran...I would love to go but??? one day :thumbsup:  Scotland has all I need in life!!!
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 19, 2013, 07:40:06 pm
Can't wait for September when we will be there. I could easily move back but a) my OH would hate it there (he says it's lovely for a holiday but...)  b) no way could we afford to buy there any more.
Title: Re: Isle of Arran
Post by: john and helen on May 21, 2013, 10:08:48 pm
The girls have settled in lovely.... eggs everyday , really pleased with their progress..my gawd..they love the corn and grass  :thumbsup: