Things to do. The West Side of the Isle of Arran

Last month we did a little blog about the Sannox area of Arran, and this month we are looking more at the west side and Blackwaterfoot area. This is often thought of as the quieter side of the island, away from the main port, but there is so much to do and see, that this is only a small selection of ideas.

Bridge at Blackwaterfoot

Blackwaterfoot is the main village on this side and boasts a fabulous long sandy beach which can be walked to Drumadoon point or beyond.  Walking southwards the beach is rockier with numerous seabirds and rock pools to explore.

Drumadoon point

Travelling north from Blackwaterfoot, less than 2 miles brings you to a car park from where the circular Kings Caves walk can be started.  The Kings Cave are a fabulous attraction for children and adults a like, with historic carvings throughout the cave - remember to bring a torch. And a short detour can be made to view a dinosaur footprint (see previous blogs).

Kings Caves

Again a little further north are the Machrie Stones and numerous ston circles.  This flat walk across farm land, to the moor is a gentle stroll and passes a couple of circles before the main standing stones are reached. Another less visited circle can be found at Auchengallon, which is slightly raised above the coast and provides beautiful views of the seashore.

Auchagallon Stone Circle

This area has two golf courses, Shiskine and Machrie. Shiskine is a 12 hole links course and Machrie a 9 hole course that is family friendly and allows dogs to accompany players,  providing they do not steal any balls!

Machrie Moor Standing Stone (one of several)

For shopping, Blackwaterfoot has a small village supplies shop, which is also the post office, the Harbour shop newsagents, the Arran Butcher and an Art gallery.  Further north at Machrie a farm track leads you to the Olde Byre for traditional and modern country clothing and wares, along with a pottery where you can 'paint your own'.

Shiskin Golf Course and Felicitys tearoom

Stopping for lunch, or just coffee and a cake is easy, with three great tearooms.  Felicitys at Blackwaterfoot (Shiskine Golf Course), Machrie Bay Tearoom (Machrie Golf course) and Cafe Thyme at the Olde Byre site. All are family friendly, with Cafe Thyme and Machrie Bay having play areas for children. And all have great views and food.

Play area at Machrie Golf Course and Tearoom

And if you fancy a swim but not in the sea, try the pool at the Kinloch which is open to the public. or how about some pony trekking.  Cairnhouse stables caters for novices and experienced riders, you can even bring your own horse and stable it there for your holiday.

Monyquil Mhor Garden and views.

Monyquil Mhor self catering farmhouse is an ideal base from which to explore this area, and is set in tranquil farmland.  The farmhouse sleeps 8 but at a price that attracts smaller families or groups.  There is a large luxury farmhouse kitchen, huge utility and two bathrooms.

Carving at Kings Cave

All images copyright to Arran in Focus photography tours and workshops.

Things to do around Sannox, Isle of Arran

North Glen Sannox with lots of waterfalls

There is plenty to do on the Isle of Arran especially for those who like wildlife and walking.  This mini blog looks at the area around Sannox and Lochranza.  Sannox is on the East coast and boasts one of the best sandy beaches and just furhter south is Corrie with some fasinating rock formations and north is Lochranza with the famous Huttons Unconformity.

Sannox beach in winter

There are numerous walks of all levels, using Sannox as a starting point. Low level gentle walks run along the coast to the fallen rocks (the remains of a 300 year old landslide), or the adventurous could go further and visit Laggan Cottage.

Coastal walk to fallen rocks

Glen Sannox gets into the mountains without being too strenuous, although a climb up to the Saddle and beyond to either Cir Mhor or North Goatfell provides a full mountain day for more experienced walkers. Or maybe you would fancy a stroll up North Glen Sannox along the river and waterfalls, looking out for deer and Golden Eagles.

Deer with Lochranza castle in background

A trip into Lochranza with its distillary, golf course, ruined castle and numerous deer can easily occupy everyone even on a rainy day. And there are several places to eat, including the Stags Pavillion.  Lochranza is also home to the stone-men, which can be found at Whins cottage on a walk around the Cock of Arran.

Stag in Lochranza

Sannox and Corrie also have their own golf course with a lovely little tearoom that is open all year round and serves a lovely lunch.

Glen Sannox a lovely valley walk or route to the mountains

For those who want to go pony trekking or riding, the North Sannox trekking centre caters for all levels and will even do very short trips for small children.

A trip to the distillary is a must!

A list of walks and routes can be found on this informative site. And there are plenty of other things for you to discover and explore on your own.

Bridge at the car park of North Glen Sannox in winter

Arran Island Cottages has the lovely Garden Cottage (sleeps 4), right by the golf course at Sannox, with beautiful walled garden and mountain views.  It's a great base from which to explore this area.

Garden Cottage 

All images copyright to Arran in Focus photography tours and workshops.

Dinosaurs on the Isle of Arran

The Isle of Arran is well known for being called Scotland in Miniature but miniature is not what some of its previous inhabitants could be called!

The coast at Cleats Shore showing stone dykes and slabs.

The rocks and stones around the island provide a wonderful insight into the past which includes dinosaurs.  The geology has been well studied by scientists due to the geological findings known now as Huttons Unconformity and the first dinosaur footprints were discovered in the last 10 years at various locations around the island. It probably should be said that the island would still have been part of the mainland during this era of around 230 million years ago.

The large footprint near Kings Caves

Some of the reptile like creatures were likely to have been similar to large komodo lizards or crocodiles and were around 12 foot long with hand like feet. The first acknowledged footprint found is between Drumadoon point and Kings Caves.  This footprint is set back from the beach but can easily be found on a well trodden boggy path.  Due to rock movement the print is upright above the stream.

One of the slabs at Cleats shore with a clear track

However, more prints that form a track can be found on Cleats Shore.  What can be seen depend on weather and the amount of seaweed deposits vary throughout the year.  Puddles of seawater left in the indentations assist with spotting the tracks. Over 100 track ways have been recorded on Arran but that is not to say there aren't some still to find.

Water in the tracks makes them easier to spot

Other tracks of a giant millipede can be found at the Cock of Arran and these formed part of a documentary by SirDavid Attenborough and can be viewed on this link.

Our nearest holiday properties to the footprints on Cleats Shore are Torrlinn Beach House and Kilbride Farmhouse.