Eight Days in Scotland - Day 1 Arran
We arrived on Arran on the last Calmac ferry of the day from Ardrossan. It was sunny and gorgeous and the crossing was very smooth.
The ferry docks in Brodick, and I knew we would be tired, so I had arranged lodging close by. Belvedere Guest House had a great view, was easy to find, and comfortable. Gathering any remaining energy, we went out to explore a bit and get dinner. Brodick seemed to be a pretty sleepy town on a Saturday night, except for Fiddlers' Cafe which was definitely the place to be and was packed for dinner and live music. We got the last free table.
After a gorgeous sunrise the next morning, and a very hearty, multi-course breakfast at our Guest House, we headed out for the day.
The tour of Brodick Castle grounds (the interior is currently closed for renovation), highlighted an impressive 1000 or so years of history and had lovely gardens with rhododendrons just starting to bloom and huge tree ferns.
Over on the west side of the island, we took a short hike through a sheep pasture at Machrie Moor Stone Circle which revealed some pretty cool standing stones.
Afterward we drove to Lochranza at the north end of the island. There's a ruined castle and a great little cafe at Arran Distillery.
We finished off the day taking the ferry from Lochranza to Claonaig and continuing on to Tarbert to stay at the Stonefield Castle Hotel.
