Walk, Whisky, Food and Beer

After the Lamlash walk, Chris and I enjoyed a swim, sauna and a spell in the Steam room before heading out into Brodick for our evening meal. If you've been to Arran, or you go in the future, the Brodick Bar and the Brodick Brasserie should be on your place to visit! (Same place but separate rooms)

First the bar...

for a pint or more...

...before heading off into the restaurant... 

The food couldn't have been nicer and after two courses neither Chris or I could manage a sweet.
Breakfast in Brambles the next day was equally delicious...

John's Breakfast

Chris's Breakfast

After breakfast it was the drive to Lochranza, the very first place that I ever stayed on Arran. The fact that it has a distillery may have something to do with additional affection.
Parking near the castle we set off, in-land, and it wasn't far before we spotted our first Red Deer...

 To be fair we had spotted lots on the journey but, these were only 100 yards away. The view of the mountains around Lochranza are stunning and I'll never forget the reaction of the children we took on the field trip, from Philip Morant School in Colchester Essex (UK).

We continued along the stream and then along the road through the golf course,before climbing up the side of the mountain. Looking to our right,as we climbed, the Destination for lunch, the Distillery, could be seen....

 and looking back, when we took one of a number of rests, we had wonderful views of the harbour and the ferry dock...

 Red Deer were seen at regular intervals, some very close...

 as we made our way along well trodden paths.

 ...past rushing Burns..

 ...we constantly scanned the mountain sides and the horizon for glimpses of the Red Deer.

I don't think, in all the times we've been to Arran, that we have ever seen so many Red Deer!
Again we were very lucky with the weather and although it was a relatively short walk, with the climbs and yesterdays 9 plus miles, it was enough and enjoyable. Back onto the main road we had a close encounter with a Buzzard that rose up from the valley below us. How lovely and not the only encounter while we were on Arran. It wasn't far, after the encounter, to the Isle of Arran Distillery where we had lunch...

...before heading back to Lochranza Castle and the car. Looking across the meadows we could clearly see the path that we had walked along and with the Buzzard, Hooded Crows, Sheep, 

 ...and Red Deer...

 ...we arrived back at what remains of the castle...

By now the wind had got up and was bitterly cold so we did a quick walk around the castle and then back into the car for a ride around the Northern end of the island and back across the "string road" to Brodick.
The walk was 3.403 miles and the map is available at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6155647 

Remember a stop at the distillery is a must! (even if you don't like Whisky!)

On the way back to the Hotel we parked near a saw mill and visited the Arran Brewery and purchased two cases of Sunset Beer (24 bottles) to go with The Arran Malt. The question is, will they last until Christmas? :-)

A quick catch-up with our visit to Arran and Hadleigh.

As my friends and family know, Ben, our youngest, has been home for Christmas; he went back to San Francisco last Monday. While he was home Chris, Ben and I spent a few days away in Arran. The one place I feel really 'uplifted' and at home.

The Isle of Arran, Scotland is the most southerly Scottish island and sits in the Firth of Clyde between Ayrshire and Kintyre. Arran is 19 miles long by 10 miles wide but has a remarkable diversity of landscapes and seascapes.

The pretty villages on Arran’s beautiful coastline are complemented by a rugged and mountainous interior in the north and green rolling hills and woodland in the south.

If you're reading this and looking to get away from it all, I highly recommend you take the time to uncover the hidden delights of Arran; it really does have something for everyone.

We had clear days...

and snow...

We saw seals...

...and Red Deer...

as well as red squirrels, a vast variety of song birds, birds of prey and water-fowl/birds. Ben took some excellent picture that you can view at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bendalziel/sets/72157603644852577/. My pictures are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/acljohn/sets/72157603630394646/.

No trip to Arran would be complete without visiting the distillery; a visit enjoyed by all.

We completed one fairly long and enjoyable walk starting and finishing at Lochranza.
Lochranza is the most northerly sited of Arran's villages and is located in the north-western corner of Arran. The village is set on the shore of Loch Ranza, a small sea loch. Lochranza is home to Arran's second ferry route, a short trip to Claonaig on the Kintyre Peninsula south of Tarbert. The whisky distillery opened in 1995, and is easily spotted with its copper pagodas. Castle ruins are located on a curved shingle spit that projects from the southern side of the village. The castle is normally locked but the key can be obtained from Lochranza stores. Lochranza is home to a healthy red deer population and, on the northern shore, grey seals are found year-round. Otters and golden eagles are also spotted in the area. It is also the very first place I stayed at, in Arran, when I was teaching in Phillip Morant School in Colchester Essex in 1986. My how time flies.

The only down side was that we were delayed on the way home due to bad weather; the ferry wouldn't sail due to the difficulties we would encounter entering Ardrossan Harbour. When we did sail we still managed to bump the harbour wall.
The following weekend we all met again at my dads in Hadleigh Suffolk; Ben to see his grandad before returning to the USA (next time they meet Ben will be married) and Mandy and Dave to say goodbye as they embark on their 99 day trip around the world! There wasn't room for me sadly. Dad seemed well and it was nice for all the family to be together again; the last time was a year ago at Mum's funeral. A much happier meeting this time but I kept expecting to see her every time I went into the dining room. We had 'Christmas again; thinking about it, it was the first Christmas of 2008! Lynn, and Bec paid us a brief visit on the Saturday and Pete on the Sunday before 'bell-ringing'. Ben has gone 'home' now and Chris and I are back to normal (what ever that is). Below you will find todays walk; I know it is a bit out of sequence but as everyone else tells me, 'it is finding the time'!.
I'll just leave this blog with an image, taken on Arran, that we came across when walking along the North East coast of Arran...

Blogged with Flock