The Island of Arran, which lies between the Ayrshire coast and the Kintyre Peninsula in southern Scotland is often termed ‘Scotland in miniature’: Arran has a bit of everything from large and wild mountains to fertile fields, varied and interesting wildlife to fascinating geology, rocky beaches to numerous golf courses! It now also boasts a whisky distillery as well as the famous Arran Aromatics.

This photograph is taken from the main town, Brodick, (a name originating from the Norse invaders and means ‘Broad Bay’), where the ferry arrives from Ardrossan on the mainland. The mountain behind the CalMac ferry, MV Caledonian Isles, is Goat Fell at 2862’ (874m) and is the highest mountain on Arran, whilst the castle seen just above the ship’s prow is Brodick Castle. There has been some sort of fortification here for some 1500 years and it has a predictably bloody history(!) but is a fascinating place to visit and the grounds are gardens spectacular.

Thanks for looking
Richard