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Our friendly hosts at Orwin House, Brodick give us some advice to make the most of our day at Isle of Arran – another bright sunny day which gets up to a very pleasant 18 degrees.
It is almost like being in a non-English speaking country as we struggle to keep up with the Scottish brogue. It reminds me of the old Scottish TV series Ballykissangel which I loved, but have to confess I never fully understood. Our hostess doesn’t take offence but tells us the Irish also have difficulty understanding her!
We set off to circumnavigate the island going anti-clockwise. Everyone is out soaking up the sun, after what the locals say was a rubbish summer on the island this year with only one week of good weather.
Truly a stunning drive, much of it along the coast, taking in Corrie, Sannox, the North Glen, Lochranza, Catacol, Pirnmill, stopping for coffee at Cafe Thyme at Machrie. Then on a little further to walk through some sheep filled fields to see the Machrie Moor Stone Circles, dating from the Bronze Age.
Lunch is at The Coast in the gardens with a gorgeous outlook over Whiting Bay. We complete the circle and make a stop at Brodick Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, dating to the 13th century with additions made in latter centuries. It is in a spectacular setting of a country park overlooking Brodick Bay to the Ayrshire coast.
We are intrigued to hear of the alleged habit of the last Duke to weigh his guests in the entry hall in a special weighing chair before and after dining at the castle. Not sure what scientific study he had in mind for this exercise. Also disturbing are the 87 mounted stag heads, all but one killed on Arran.
As the weather is still perfect we decide to criss-cross the centre of the island driving west from Brodick to Shiskine, down to Sliddery and back east to Lamlash. Time for a drink and we find ourselves at what must be one of the most idyllic beer gardens in Scotland at the Drift Inn, Lamlash. From the roadside its appearance is rather plain, but out the back we find seating looking out to Holy Isle, Lamlash Bay. This island is now a spiritual retreat.
We get chatting to a visiting Glaswegian about the Rugby, rum and whisky, finally dragging ourselves away from the beautiful vista to return to Brodick for the night.