Reduce your carbon footprint with a trip to the Isle of Arran

Concerned about the impact of your carbon footprint by flying overseas this year? Why not take an alternative route closer to home and sail overseas to the picturesque island of Arran, off the coast of Scotland. Its towering peaks and temperate climate makes it the perfect location for a relaxing summer break.

Where to stay?

Kinloch Hotel - Situated on the west coast of Arran, the Kinloch Hotel offers a warm Scottish welcome in relaxed and tranquil surroundings. Equipped with everything you could need for a relaxing stay from a swimming pool and squash court to a sauna and snooker room. The hotel also has an award winning restaurant and offers spectacular views over the Arran scenery. Prices for a double/twin room range from £60 - £116 per night.

Oakbank Farm Self-Catering – Within two acres of private grounds at the edge of Lamlash village lies the Oakbank self-catering complex comprising of two cottages and one flat. Surrounded by deep glens and majestic mountains, the complex is extremely child friendly, providing a large play area and full size all weather tennis court. Prices vary from £50 - £80 per unit per night depending on the time of year.

Where to eat?

Trafalgar Restaurant - Situated in Whiting Bay, the Trafalgar Restaurant offers a warm welcome in the style of an old-fashioned country inn. Native German chef-patron, Wolfie Kroner greets you at the door in his white apron, which adds to the friendly, hospitable atmosphere. All dishes are made using fresh, local produce, and include scallops flavoured with bacon and garlic butter and lamb cutlets, garnished with Arran mustard and minted pear.

Auchrannie Country Hotel & Spa Resort, Brodick – this traditional, yet impressive country house hotel and spa resort offers three different themed restaurants from the family friendly Cruize Café Bar to the relaxed fine dining of The Garden Restaurant. Brambles Brasserie has a selection of imaginative fusion cuisine, specialising in superb seafood and mouth-watering alternative dishes. During the day the brasserie also serves snacks, light lunches and pastries.

Things to do

Adventure sports – For the more adventurous visitor, there are a wide range of extreme sports available on Arran, with something to suit every level of experience. The powerboat trips are ideal for thrill seekers, and are also a unique way to get close to marine wildlife such as seals, sharks, whales and dolphins.

Other activities include mountain boarding, like snowboarding with wheels, and can be enjoyed all year round. Powerkiting is another great way to spend a morning, enjoying the fresh sea air while you learn to fly a parachute-style sports kite. Mountain biking, rock climbing, abseiling, kayaking and orienteering are also available.

Coastal Way – The Coastal Way on the Isle of Arran provides walking routes to suit all levels. It is an ideal way to take in scenic views of the whole island, by following the route around the coastline which passes through most of the villages on the island.

Points of interest

Brodick Castle and Country Park - Brodick Castle is located near the village of Brodick and is one of the finest castles in Scotland. A fortress has been on the site since the fifth century, being destroyed or demolished and rebuilt several times. The present castle originates from 1588 and is open for exploring from 30 March to 31 October daily, with limited opening throughout the winter.

Goat Fell - The highest point on the Isle of Arran, at 874 metres (2867 ft), Goat Fell is one of four Corbett’s on the island, popular with climbers and hill walkers alike due to the spectacular views it offers of the coastline. The mountain, along with nearby Brodick Castle, is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

Isle of Arran Distillery – The distillery visitor centre offers fully guided tours, audio-visual presentations set in a mock eighteenth century crofter's inn, and a shop and restaurant. While you take in the picturesque surrounding views, you will have an opportunity to sample a dram or two of the ‘water of life’.

The location of the distillery offers perfect water for whisky production, cleansed by granite and softened by peat as it comes down from the mountain above. The atmosphere of sea breezes and clear mountain air together with the warm flow of the Gulf Stream, matures the Arran Malt to perfection in earth floored warehouses.

To book your break to Arran, log on to Visitarran.com.