Arran is Scotland in miniature, craggy peaks and quaint
villages, lovely coastline, lonely glens and upland moors, standing stones and castles. In
Brodick, see Brodick Castle or climb Goat Fell (easy, amazing views). Whiting Bay Hostel
is a good base for hiking Glenashdale Forest (waterfalls and Iron Age hillfort) or for
taking "The String" road to tour the many artisans' studios along the way.
Further west is the King's Cave, standing stones and a stone circle. In the north,
Lochranza Hostel is a good base for hiking Glen Sannox (see nearby Corrie, very charming).
From the hostel, hike over the hill to Ossian's Cave & Cock of Arran then along the
coast to the Fairy Glen & so back to town (3-4 hrs). Lochranza Castle is a dramatic
foreground to the hostel, while the distillery is a short walk from town center. A ferry
goes over to Kintyre Peninsula, then a short drive to a ferry for Islay, Jura, Colonsay
and Oronsay. This island's small size belies its ability to seem large and little
travelled..
