Heading for Arran

Robmac said:
That's a great post Bill I shall print it off and put it in the folder which I take on my travels, which strangely only has stuff about Scotland in it! :giggle:

I've just been googling the Isle of Arran and inevitably more stuff about the Hebrides came up including some islands I've never heard of. I find old deserted buildings fascinating and now I've looked online there are so many which I can't hope to visit them all.

One that stands out is Vallay house (obviously on Vallay!). I would love to take my tent there for a couple of nights.
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It’s a lovely place and an interesting story to the house. You do need to be careful not to get stuck on the island.
 
Robmac said:
Don't tell me Barry - you culled it!

How did it taste?
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I would have if I could have got hold of it. when I thumped it through the side of the tent it scarpered but it was probably the bang of the airbed going pop that scared it. I still wasnt sure at this stage if it was a practical joke by one of my friends and in a drunken fug I just went back to sleep on the miserable wrecked air bed. In the morning I opened the tent flap and there was three of them staring at me on the beach. In 2016 one of them attacked the inflatable Kayak in Lamlash Bay so I reckon it was revenge.
 
Lamlash today. The swans and their cygnets have been fed by a local man. When you get close to them they start to follow you looking for food.

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Robmac said:
I've been to Mull, Arran and Skye Barry but would dearly love to go to Jura and Islay. I spent a holiday once on a tiny island in a log cabin (owned by a chap called Falcon Scott who is the grandson of Scott of the Antartic). This was quite close to Jura at a place called Craobh (pronounced Croove) not far from Oban. I would dearly love to go out in a boat and witness the whirlpool at the Gulf of Corryvrekan.

You're probably right about the island hopper, I will look into it nearer the time. I would presume travellin on the ferries by motorbike would be cheaper than a car or camper?
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Hi Rob, if you go to the Isle of Seil and drive over to Ellenabeich, Easdale, Oban PA34 4RF the Seafari boats will take you to Corryvrekan, Garvellachs Jura etc.
 
Fisherman said:
Lamlash today. The swans and their cygnets have been fed by a local man. When you get close to them they start to follow you looking for food.

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When we were there earlier this year they were being fed by the people who run the ferry to Holy Isle.
Did you notice the lone Whooper swan? It's on your picture with the yellow bill.
These are migratory but this one appeared to have a damaged wing so presumably is stranded and trying to fit in with the resident community of Mute swans.
Not a bad place to be stranded although the Mute swans didn't seem to want to have much to do with it at the time.
I think that one of the pairs of Mutes had 7 cygnets so it's just as well that they are being fed!
 
dunfillin said:
When we were there earlier this year they were being fed by the people who run the ferry to Holy Isle.
Did you notice the lone Whooper swan? It's on your picture with the yellow bill.
These are migratory but this one appeared to have a damaged wing so presumably is stranded and trying to fit in with the resident community of Mute swans.
Not a bad place to be stranded although the Mute swans didn't seem to want to have much to do with it at the time.
I think that one of the pairs of Mutes had 7 cygnets so it's just as well that they are being fed!
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Yes we noticed the whooper Swan, I wondered why it was there, now I know, cheers.
 
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Spoke to manager of Middletons campsite in Lamlash yesterday. They will allow you to empty your toilet and get freshwater. All they ask is that you make a £5 donation to a local charity through themselves. Also they charge £25 a night inc EHU. But if they are full they will allow you access for a reduced price with no EHU. So if you try to book and they say they are full ask about a non EHU booking. This only applies during the open season from April to October. I will contact the campsite in kildonnan sea shores campsite. But I have seen vans emptying their cassettes and getting freshwater there also. Remember there are free facilities at Whiting Bay, and Blackwaterfoot. But we always leave a fiver in the donation box. And water is available at Brodick, and Lamlash, both on pois.

www.ukcampsite.co.uk

Details and 101 Reviews of Middletons Camping And Caravanning Park, Isle Of Arran, Ayrshire

Full details and 101 reviews of Middletons Camping And Caravanning Park, Isle Of Arran in Ayrshire Tents, Caravans, Motorhomes, small Campervans are accepted at Middletons Camping And Caravanning Park in Isle Of Arran, and electric hookups are available. Dogs are welcome. Toilets and showers are...
www.ukcampsite.co.uk
 
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Great pics bill.been wild all over here and strong winds up north the day esp friarton bridge
The sky looks snowy over West Lothian the now
enjoy and take care mate
 
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We arrived home yesterday from our four days on Arran. Arran was much quieter than in summer, hardly any vans on the island, we spent two nights at Kerrs point alone. Only the occasional car turning up during daytime.
Since it was our birthdays soon we had decided to try out the new facilities at Auchrannie for two nights. I paid £50 for both nights. The facilities were excellent, probably amongst the best we have ever used. The stop over only takes 8 vans and only three were present each night. The showers and toilet facilities were first class. I was told that the owners are keen Motorhome owners and it showed in the way things were set up. We dined both nights in one of three restaurants, the food was ok but expensive. If you like red wine the wines on offer were excellent particularly the Malbec at £26.95 a bottle.
We would go back with our grandson in the summer and use the spa and swimming pool facilities (at extra cost). We will also have a go at the archery.
I appreciate this is not wild camping, but if you ever fancy a bit of Motorhome luxury for a special occasion, it’s well worth thinking about. But book well in advance due to only 8 pitches (6m apart) being available.

 
Fisherman said:
We arrived home yesterday from our four days on Arran. Arran was much quieter than in summer, hardly any vans on the island, we spent two nights at Kerrs point alone. Only the occasional car turning up during daytime.
Since it was our birthdays soon we had decided to try out the new facilities at Auchrannie for two nights. I paid £50 for both nights. The facilities were excellent, probably amongst the best we have ever used. The stop over only takes 8 vans and only three were present each night. The showers and toilet facilities were first class. I was told that the owners are keen Motorhome owners and it showed in the way things were set up. We dined both nights in one of three restaurants, the food was ok but expensive. If you like red wine the wines on offer were excellent particularly the Malbec at £26.95 a bottle.
We would go back with our grandson in the summer and use the spa and swimming pool facilities (at extra cost). We will also have a go at the archery.
I appreciate this is not wild camping, but if you ever fancy a bit of Motorhome luxury for a special occasion, it’s well worth thinking about. But book well in advance due to only 8 pitches (6m apart) being available.

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Wow 26.95 for a bottle of red. That would get us both 3 courses and wine in Spain, but glad you enjoyed it and appreciate it was a special occasion.
 
jacquigem said:
Wow 26.95 for a bottle of red. That would get us both 3 courses and wine in Spain, but glad you enjoyed it and appreciate it was a special occasion.
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Yes I appreciate that, but it was a birthday treat, the wine was excellent. The cheapest bottle was a Chilean Shiraz at £21.95. I like Shiraz so we had that the second night, and it was excellent. I would recommend this as a special treat. But at £25 a night the stop over was first class, and there’s no obligation to have any meals. The facilities are the best on the island, but I still prefer seal shore at Kildonnan, it’s the same price, the facilities are not as good, there are more people, but the views and location are better.

www.campingarran.com

Seal Shore Camping and Touring Site - Seal Shore Camping and Touring Site | Kildonan | Isle of Arran

Seal Shore Camping and Touring Site in Kildonan on the Isle of Arran in Scotland. A seabreeze keeps the midges away.
www.campingarran.com www.campingarran.com
 
I have to say Arran is expensive. Eating out / takeaway is not cheap. Even the posh hot dog van charges £12 for a posh hot dog :D

We like to eat lunch late but often found even in August places were shut. The best and most successful place by the look of the constant stream of customers is the Sandwich station at Lochranza near the ferry terminal. Just bacon rolls etc but very nice first thing on a morning. The one Chippy is Awful, the Chinese which used to be ok shut down and the Indian in Lamlash is absolutely dreadful. Many years ago there was a fabulous restaurant in Lamlash called the Carraig Mhor but its a B&B now but even twenty odd years ago you didnt get much change from £100 for two. I think talking to locals half the problem this summer was getting staff.
 
barryd said:
I have to say Arran is expensive. Eating out / takeaway is not cheap. Even the posh hot dog van charges £12 for a posh hot dog :D

We like to eat lunch late but often found even in August places were shut. The best and most successful place by the look of the constant stream of customers is the Sandwich station at Lochranza near the ferry terminal. Just bacon rolls etc but very nice first thing on a morning. The one Chippy is Awful, the Chinese which used to be ok shut down and the Indian in Lamlash is absolutely dreadful. Many years ago there was a fabulous restaurant in Lamlash called the Carraig Mhor but its a B&B now but even twenty odd years ago you didnt get much change from £100 for two. I think talking to locals half the problem this summer was getting staff.
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Staffing is an issue. Most if those working at Auchrannie came from the mainland and had to be accommodated by Auchrannie in rooms built at the rear of the estate. They are currently building more accommodation. One of the waiters had a dog, and they accommodated her in a static caravan. They also depended on workers from the EU, I suspect ****** has made things even more difficult. But with an elderly population of only 4600 on such a large island it’s difficult to operate, particularly in the winter months. We normally cook our own evening meals, buying only snacks at lunchtime. We spend a lot in Arran outdoors, and Arran aromatics.
 
We didnt fair much better in south western Scotland or the Lake District to be honest. We like to eat out or since the pandemic buy takeaway from pubs / restaurants etc. South Western Scotland was pretty poor and the Lakes was just one big rip off for pretty mediocre offerings. On that front I cant wait to get back to France!
 
barryd said:
I have to say Arran is expensive. Eating out / takeaway is not cheap. Even the posh hot dog van charges £12 for a posh hot dog :D

We like to eat lunch late but often found even in August places were shut. The best and most successful place by the look of the constant stream of customers is the Sandwich station at Lochranza near the ferry terminal. Just bacon rolls etc but very nice first thing on a morning. The one Chippy is Awful, the Chinese which used to be ok shut down and the Indian in Lamlash is absolutely dreadful. Many years ago there was a fabulous restaurant in Lamlash called the Carraig Mhor but its a B&B now but even twenty odd years ago you didnt get much change from £100 for two. I think talking to locals half the problem this summer was getting staff.
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I could have survived for a few days on Arran Ice Cream's products from the Parlour in Brodick.
 
A sausage roll from the old pier tearoom in Lamlash is amazing and is a meal on its own
 
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