After the closure 200 year old whiskey bottling plant was announced by Diageo, the hunt began for a new place to set up a bottling plant. The project is being spearheaded by Gerald Michaluk, managing director of Marketing Research Services, the company that bought the Arran Brewery from Richard and Elisabeth Roberts in May 2008. He expects production to begin on the 8.45 hectare site as early as mid 2010. Already, there are plans underway to induct the skilled labour of the demised Johnny Walker factory into the new one.

Presently, Arran beer is brewed at Cladach, and transported in 180 barrel tankers to Dunbar and Hartlepool for bottling. However, the Bellhaven plant at Dunbar- where the famed Red Squirrel beer is bottled- is due to be shut down in December, so the company will need to find a temporary bottling plant until the one in Ayr commences operation.

Arran Brewery started full production on February 2000. Its Arran Blone and Arran Ale have been award winning brews for their fine quality.

The Lamlash Splash is a yearly event held for hardy swimmers to make the crossing over the open sea from Holy Isle to Lamlash for the sake of raising money for charity. The challenge is grueling enough in itself, but what is most surprising is the number of courageous success stories that come out of such events.

Take for instance Dawn Ulivi, a mother of three, who raised over £700 for diabetes charity in doing the swim. Her daughter’s friend, three-year-old Daisy Slatter, was diagnosed with diabetes last year, making her one of the youngest persons in Scotland to have the disease.

Or consider Rory Hunter, who completed the 1.3 mile sea crossing and won the Ali Bodie Memorial Trophy for showing the most character out of all the swimmers… and he is all of 12 years old. Alison “Ali” Bodie happened to have been an extraordinarily courageous woman who did the sea crossing twice, despite having terminal cancer. Her family donates the trophy to the recipients.

This year’s event was won by Fergus Sim. Although the Splash is not competitive in nature, the Glasgow based tri-athlete wowed everyone present by his blistering speed.

He was the pilot of the Search and Rescue Sea King helicopter dispatched from HMS Gannet at Prestwick to rescue the crew of the yacht which ran aground on Horse Island. A Royal Navy spokesperson commended his bravery in rescuing the hapless yachtsmen, braving the rage of a tumultuous sea in the middle of inky darkness to reach the yacht- which was in danger of breaking up any moment- injuring his own hand in the process, fighting through “four metre seas with total disregard for his own safety to save the lives of the yachtsmen”.

Wiggy Wigfull is originally from Sheffield, but presently resides in Troon with his wife and children.

Horse Island is a tiny bit of land which the Arran ferry passes by five times a day on her way to the Ardrossan breakwater, so the grounded yacht was spotted by several of the ferry passengers. The 36 foot yacht was finally salvaged by a lifeboat crew several days later.

The Lochranza Castle was a tower house built early in the thirteenth century, when it was owned by the Clan Sweeny. It is believed that Robert the Bruce landed at Lochranza in 1306 on his return form Ireland to claim the Scottish throne. By 1371, the castle has become the property of Robert II, and in the 16th century it was almost completely rebuilt. It was occupied in 1614 by troops of James VI, and in 1650 by the forces of Oliver Cromwell. In 1705, the Castle was purchased by the Duchess of Hamilton, but became abandoned and fell into disrepair later in the eighteenth century. But even in its present ruinous state, the imposing, brooding castle still dominates the southern side of the Loch, standing aloof on a curved shingle spit that stretches into the water.

The Lochranza Castle has had a rich and varied past. In its time, it has been used as a royal hunting lodge, as a military base of operations… and even, according to some, as the inspiration behind the now-fabled castle of the The Black Island of the adventures of the eponymous Tintin. No one may know for sure, of course. That is a question best left to the opinions of those who go see it for themselves. For them, the Lochranza Castle still waits, forsaken, forbidding, but still-proud reminder of a distant past, nested amidst the still waters, rolling green hills and the fierce, jagged mountains of Lochranza.
Image: Flickr

Earlier in the 19th century, Arran housed over fifty whisky distilleries but most of them operated illegally in order to avoid the taxmen. Even though the malt from Arran is considered to be one of the best malts in the nation, the distilleries preferred to remain illegal and catered to a select few by shipping the malt to the mainland where it was enjoyed by those who regularly “took to the Arran waters”.  There was a time when it was regarded highly, as the best in Scotland with its closest competition coming from  the “Glen of Livet”.

The water for the Arran single malt is taken from the Loch na Davie. Washed by the warm waters of Gulf Stream, the water around Arran enjoys a microclimate which is ideal for the swift maturation of single malt whiskies. The water from the Loch na Davie, high in the hills that overlook the village of Lochranza on the North coast of Arran has been scientifically proved to be the purest in the entire Scottish nation.

Among others, Loch Ranza and Holy Isle Cream Liquor are the top blends that use whisky of Arran.

After enjoying a one hour ferry journey to the Island you can book into an accommodation in Brodick, pre-booked preferably. From there you can travel north – with an option to go over Goat Fell if the weather is good – and then onto Lochranza via Sannox. Do not miss out on the views looking north up Loch Fyne towards the highlands as they are all breathtaking.

Once you are done with that, you can head to the west side to Kilmory via Blackwaterfoot, the stretch opposite Mull of Kintyre is mesmerizing and very romantic. Southern Arran is not as mountainous as the rest of the island. You could then take the Whiting Bay route and head towards Brodick for the night. The entire trip will be one unforgettable experience on one of Scotland’s best islands, an experience that you may want to repeat.

If you would like a local to handle it for you, there are several tourist websites that offer a wide range of itineraries from 4 to 7 days of walking on a self guided basis. Holiday packages on offer feature hand-picked overnight accommodation in high quality B&B’s, country inns and guesthouses. Each is unique and offers different features from fishing to cycling, take a quick look and find out the one that’s best for you.

The rugged mountainous northern half is remote with very little human population making it one of the best habitats for the golden eagle. The 874 meter high Goat Fell watches over the town of Brodick on the east. The south, a gentle moorland, is land to extensive conifer plantations and boasts of most of the island’s farmlands too. The coast is either a raised beach that has a shoreline made of rock or shingle and steep escarpments. This wide diversity makes the island a suitable habitat for over 250 species of birds.

Arran has a healthy population of raptors, notably buzzard, kestrel, sparrowhawk, hen harrier, short-eared owl and golden eagle. Nightjar may be in cleared forest.  Red-throated diver breed on remote hill lochans.

Nationally, Arran plays host to the raptors and it is an important geographical location for the red breasted merganser and in the autumn, for the black throated divers. Walking down the coast, you can see great northern divers, red throated divers and black throated divers during any point in the year.

Internationally, it is an important area for the hen harrier, over 11,000 hectares of land is dedicated to it as the Special Protection Area (SPA). Arran plays home to a wide variety of bird species found across Scotland and that is just one of the reasons why it rightly described as Scotland in miniature.

The museum has scheduled lots of events for the 2009 season. The museum is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm until Sunday 25th October 2009. Founded in 1976, this wonderful museum first opened it’s doors to the public in 1979. Located on the main Road in Rosaburn, it is just a little ways north of the Brodick region of Arran and less than two miles from the Calmac terminal. A tiny school house once occuppied the site where the museum now sits.

The buildings surrounding the museum were a farmhouse or homestead and had a smiddy, laundry house and a milk house among other buildings used for the good of the farm. The museum’s exhibits, deal mostly with the history and the islands evolution over the years.

The museum has everything you will need to find out about the island’s inhabitants of years gone by as well as the inhabitants of today and it even offers many surprises. The lush, green grounds that the museum and buildings rest on are worth the visit alone. Disabled people can easily access the facility and enjoy the touch exhibits. All areas of the museum that are open to the public are equipped for wheelchair access. If you need a wheelchair, they will even loan you one for use while you’re there.

Events and activities are well planned and there is something for every age group including pre-school children and families. The facility houses the wonderful Cafe Rosaburn restaurant, which allows you to have a spot of tea should you find yourself in need of a cup. There is also an on-site gift shop and picnic tables are available on their beautiful museum grounds. The Arran Heritage Museum makes it easy for you and your family to visit and spend a wonderful day with them, learning about the island’s rich cultural and diverse background.

During the second world war, Lamlash held the anchorage to its naval services and today is home to an exclusive yachting outfit in Arran. Kildonan is located in the southeast corner and gives the most gorgeous views and peaceful atmosphere. Blackwaterfoot is the most populated area on the western side of Arran and is home to the Shiskine Golf Club.

Pirnmill is a tranquil and soothingly calm village with rocky shores and beautiful sandy beaches. The region of Corrie can boast of its two quaint, small harbors and is home to a very small village. Lastly but not least is the region of Sannox. During the time of the Vikings, this region was known as “sand-vik” which means sandy bar. This region also gives breathtaking views and has a nice nine hole course of golf.

No matter what region of the Isle of Arran you find yourself in, it will prove to be memorable since all the island’s regions have a rich background in culture and diversity. The Isle of Arran and its regions have a mystical feel to them that takes you back to times of many years past. Wildlife in any region of the Isle of Arran is abundant on land and in the sea.

Some of the regions, moreso than others, house more shops, restaurants and accommodations for visitors. You will notice that there are many bed and breakfast nooks in the places where you can’t find a hotel or larger outfit of lodging. A bed and breakfast is great if you want to experience the life and people up close and personal. They are also great for letting you experience a more laid-back island stay. All of these regions offer something for everyone. While staying there you can easily visit them all using the ferry and speed boats that are readily available to take people on board for a little island hopping.

After the Gaels had been there in the tenth century, Norse influence came upon the small Scottish island while it was under the nominal rule of the King of Norway. The castle’s position and the strategic advantage of that position made it a sought-after stronghold through the ages. By the 1200’s, the Isle of Arran had become very popular even as the Scots and the Norse battled for control of it. In 1266, after several attempts by Scottish kings to take back control of the island, they finally succeeded. Then, around the year 1295, the English gained control of the castle.

In 1307, the Scots regained control of the castle but in 1406 the castle sustained severe damage inflicted by English forces. Further destruction of the castle occurred in 1455 by John of Islay. Rebuilt in 1510 by the Earl of Arran, Brodick castle was again attacked by English forces during “Rough Wooing” of Mary Queen of Scots.

Besides the warring countries, Brodick Castle has also been in the thick of many religious battles. Through the 1600’s, several religious communities wanted to lay claim to the castle. Changing hands between the Episcopals and the Presbyterians, Brodick Castle was finally returned back into the hands of James Hamilton in 1643 at the beginning of the Scottish Civil War.

After its storied history between countries and religions, the castle began life as a hunting estate for the Duke of Hamilton. In the years following this, it was mainly used for sporting and hunting. In the nineteenth century it was primarily used as the residence of the oldest son the the 10th Duke. Through the years the title of the castle has passed through several generations of Dukes and was finally acquired by the National Trust for Scotland in 1958.