Holidays 2009 - Isle of Arran - Part Two

On Tuesday we visited Kildonan, where you can see what looks like an upside down Christmas Pudding, but what is in fact the island of Aisla Craig – known to the locals as Paddy’s Milestone because it is reputed to be halfway between Glasgow and Belfast,

and the Isle of Pladda with its lighthouse.

Ruby went for a walk on the beach here and enjoyed chasing pebbles and seaweed.

We then drove on to Lagg, and took the Ross Road via Glen Scorrodale back to Lamlash. There are some distant views of Holy Isle and the monk’s settlement from the summit of the Ross Road.

On Wednesday we took the Northern Island tour and stopped off at Lochranza to view some of the very tame deer,

and the approaching Lochranza - Claonaig Ferry.

There is a fine ruin of a castle at Lochranza, sitting on a spit of land which juts out into Loch Ranza.

The North West side of the island is much less developed, and there are some delightful and picturesque little villages. One such village is Pirnmill, so named because in days not too long ago, this village supplied all the pirns for the mills in the Borders region. There is a tea room called the Lighthouse, and adjoining the building is the Post Office and village stores.

On Thursday we paid a visit to Brodick Castle and gardens. The gardens are known throughout the gardening world for their rhododendrons, and the variety of flowers and plants which grow there.

Whilst we were visiting Robin and Ann, who we used to stay with when we first visited Arran, we saw a lone seal hauled out on a rock in front of their bungalow.

Our last full day on Arran (Friday) we spent buying presents for the family, and revisiting one of our favourite spots – the village of Corrie.

On Saturday morning we waved goodbye to a resting seagull sat on one of the picnic tables on the sea front at Brodick,

and boarded the "Caledonian Isles" Car Ferry to head for Waren mill - two miles north of Bamburgh in Northumberland.