Years ago Ashique had a boys trip to the Isle of Arran, Scotland with two of his friends. So many years later, they still can’t stop talking about the beauty and wilderness in this place. Camping on the beach with seals outside your tent, deer around the corner, eating fresh lobster on the grill, being the only people around, hiking the mountain trails and coastal paths…not to mention – and I won’t talk about that – the crazy adventures with fellow drunken scottish campers at night!
So what makes this place so special?
They chose to go here as Arran was in the top 10 Best campsites posted in the Guardian. A few facts from their travel experiences, if you are ever considering a holday here.
Where is Arran?
Isle of Arran is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. With an area of 432 square kilometres it is the seventh largest Scottish island. It has many villages scattered around the shoreline. Brodick (Old Norse: “broad bay”) has the ferry terminal and many modes of accommodations, restaurants and shops.
Taken from Google Maps
How do you get to Arran?
You can get here by car, train and ferry. Arran is situation on the west coast of Scotland, just south of Glasgow. You can take fly or take train to Glasgow and then local train to all of the major towns in Ayrshirethen. Caledonian MacBrayne run regular ferry crossings between Ardrossan and Clanaig to Brodickon Arran. The boys took the ferry which takes 55 minutes, enough time to relax, unwind and enjoy the views.
What can you expect to see and do there?
Beaches
There are several beaches to choose from, each with it’s own unique character. Not sure which ones Ashique went to, he doesn’t remember either but for him it was just amazing seeing seals on the beach, deer nearby, plenty of birds, lovely rock formations and stunning seascape views.
Hiking
Ashique mostly goes on about the lovely walks they did around the island. They climbed Goats Fell which is about 800m above sea level. The diversity of the landscape, glens, coastal walks and trails made it one of his favourite hiking adventures around UK.
History
According to Visit Arran the heritage here dates back as far as the Stone Age, perhaps as far as 7000BC, and evidence of this can still be seen around the island. The Heritage Museum at Rosaburn, Brodick offers an amazing insight into all of Arran’s fascinating history. There is also Brodick Castle, gardens and visitor Centre which is highly recommended.
Geology
Isle of Arran has a variety of unique rocks types and formations within a very small area. This makes it a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the earth sciences, whether they’re professionals or enthusiastic amateurs!
They also visited the only whiskey distillery on the island and learned about how it’s made. They enjoyed dining at the pub and found the local people very friendly.
What makes this place so special?
The serene and wild environment, the natural beauty of this island, the unique geological formations and the abundance of wildlife all came together to make this a very special place for Ashique. I can only agree from seeing all the beautiful pictures here. We do like Scotland a lot, you can read about our road trip to Lochness from London with 11 month old Shahaar!
Our dearest friend Richard who has been part of so many of our travels and adventures in England past 10 years. We will miss you so!
Posted as part of Weekly Photo Challenge: Serenity #SundayTraveler hosted by Pack Me Too Our World Tuesday, Nature’s Notes hosted by Rambling Woods and #Weekendwanderlust hosted by A Brit and a Southerner
Stumble It! 
Beautiful photos! As you also like to take your kids on trips, would you maybe like to share your take on traveling with kids as a guest blogger in this TinyTravellers that I started? You can read more here http://tinyexpats.com/2015/01/18/tinytravellers-welcome-note/
Thank you 🙂 would love to write a guest post on travelling with kids! We have been travelling with them since they were 6 weeks old. Both have been to 16 countries and 5 continents already..And we really enjoy travelling as a family!
So cool! Looking forward to reading your post 🙂 let me know by comment or email when you are ready!
I can do it overy the coming weekend? Could you email me at selimsraasta@gmail.com about requirements – length, number of pictunes, any links etc. Thanks!
Will do!
So beautiful! I am ashamed to say I have never been to Scotland. One day, one day! 🙂
Hope you do get to one day! It really is such a beautiful place..minus the weather!
Camping on the beach sounds awesome. I love the scenery and the beautiful photos.. Thanks for sharing the trip!
Thank you 🙂 I absolutely loved the pictures of your winter walk at the gorge. Gorgeous scenery!
It looks so rugged with such beautiful scenery. Definitely one for the list.
Glad you think so 🙂 I couldn’t agree more!
Gorgeous photography of a very beautiful place ~ I am off Scottish ancestry so it delights me to see this country in your photos!
Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol
Thank you for such positive feedback! Glad that could share stories and images of your scottish ancestry 🙂
beautiful! my ancestors are from inverness and ayshire. I have dreams to visit scotland one day
I hope you do get a chance to someday…It really is such a beautiful country!
These are some great places! I’ve never been to Scotland but I’ll sure do some day, it looks great!
What rugged beauty!
That looks like a great place to hike, explore, and take lots of photographs.
It looks so beautiful! I really love Scotland. I’ve been to a few places as my husband is from Glasgow, but I still need to see more!
I want to go there!
we loved Scotland, unfortunately we didn’t have enough time for Arran. Some of the pictures remind me so much to Isle of Skye.
Brilliant! Drunken shenanigans with the Scotts sounds awesome, and such an amazing setting too. I keep meaning to explore Scotland, In my 28 years of life in the UK I have been once! After Ireland I think I should embark on a Scotland road trip, this article will come in handy for future reference, thanks!
Oh, I love beaches and castles! Thanks for sharing. I hope to get my own shots of that part of the world some day.
I’ve never been to the Isle of Arran… looks amazing. Been around Scotland and it’s beauty is quite haunting.
This is a place I’d love to visit too. Scotland is just so beautiful, but we haven’t yet made it to Arran. We have done Mull though which was gorgeous.
I would love to visit Mull and Isle of Skye as well! All these places in Scotland are so beautiful and rugged!
It is a beautiful country and you captured this area beautifully. I have only been to Scotland once, but I am researching my family history and my parental grandfather came from Scotland to Canada and then to the US. He had many stories of his growing up there…Michelle
So pretty! The photos remind me quite a bit of the South Island in NZ! The beaches look so beautiful!
Have never heard of Arran, but am intrigued! The beaches look so serene and peaceful. i would love to just stand by the rocks and take in the salty air!
Lovely pictures! Thank you so much for sharing! We loved Scotland when we visited and hope to go back soon one day.
Spectacular photos. I’ve never heard of this island but it is gorgeous and I’d love to visit!
Thank you, it’s one of the smaller islands but really beautiful!