THE ISLE OF ARRAN

Arran is approximately 20 miles long and 10 miles wide, and has some of the most spectacular and beautiful scenery in Scotland.  It is often described as Scotland in miniature "the highlands" being in the north with magnificent mountains, glens, wild moorland and mountain streams dominated by Goatfell the highest of the peaks at 2866 feet, and "the lowlands" in the south with undulating hills, forests and moors.  There is a road that circles the island some 56 miles long, passing through picturesque villages providing a variety of good places to stop and eat, and some lovely sandy coves and beaches such as the one at Blackwaterfoot.  Two roads cross the island East to West taking you through the less populated centre.

The island is a haven for those interested in wildlife, history or geology.  It has a diverse range of animals, birds and plants including Otters, Golden Eagles and the unique Arran Whitebeam.  There are numerous historic sites from Neolithic tombs and standing stones to Brodick Castle.  Arran has fine examples of many types of rock and their formations, which regularly attract geology students for their field studies.