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by JohnH
49 Comment(s)
Some local information. There's a large Co-op in Brodick and also a smaller one and there's a decent sized Co-op in Lamlash, so there's no problem for supplies of food etc.
There are two free ATMs in Brodick and one in the Co-op in Lamlash.
Middletons don't have a card facility so it needs to be cash. I stayed at Middletons when I was over and it's a really nice site with the staff being very friendly and helpful.
Between Brodick and Lamlash there's plenty of places to eat out with a couple of pubs/hotels in each and a good selection of tea rooms/coffee shops with a lot of home baking. There's also an Indian Takeaway in Lamlash.
There's The Sandwich Station in Lochranza but it closes at 4:00pm.
For rainy days there's Brodick Castle, the Heritage centre, the Arran Aromatics and the Lochranza Distillery, though it's not going to rain!!!
We now have a large group coming for this trip and there's been a good selection of day trips added as invitations. There's lots of options and many of them are weather dependant so individuals can decide which ones that they want to do and when to do them. I can envisage some day trips running twice or even three times, we can sort that out nearer the time. One thing's for sure, you can't do Arran in a week!!!
This meeting will run from Wednesday 4th of May 2022 for 7 nights on the Isle of Arran, centred round Lamlash and Brodick (they are only 3.5miles apart).
The Isle of Arran lies in the Firth of Clyde with the Ayrshire coast to the east and the Mull of Kintyre to the west. It is about 20 miles north/south and about 9 miles east/west. The coastal road and coastal path both go right round the island are about 60 miles in length.
Arran is cut in half by the Highland Boundary Fault, so the northern half is highland and the southern half is lowland and hence Arran is often referred to as Scotland in miniature.
Arran is a compact island, so for activities and accommodation we can really be anywhere on the island, Lochranza is the furthest from Brodick and that’s only 14 miles away.
Getting Around.
The A841 is the coastal road which goes right round the island and the B880 cuts across the island from Brodick to Blackwaterfoot.
Arran is well served by 3 local bus routes and here I can be a wee bit smug since I have my Scottish Bus Pass 😀. The routes are:
322 The String, which cuts across the island from Brodick through Blackwaterfoot to Dougarie.
323 South Island Route, from Brodick through Kildonan to Blackwaterfoot.
324 North Island Route, from Brodick through Lochranza to Blackwaterfoot.
So, if you decide to leave your car on the mainland it is easy to get around.
Maps.
Arran is well served with maps, Landranger 69 covers the whole island as does Explorer 361, however my personal preference is for the Harvey's Superwalker XT25 Arran.
Accommodation.
I intend to use Middletons Camping at Lamlash with quite a few others booked in as well, 01770 600251.
There is also camping at Kildonan in the south, Lochranza in the north and Blackwaterfoot in the west.
There are B&Bs and hotels throughout the island with plenty in Lamlash and Brodick.
There are also the usual AirBnBs, chalets and there’s a hostel in Brodick and Lochranza.
Therefore accommodation shouldn’t be a problem.
Travel.
For the ferries see the separate invitation.
If you have to come a long way and don’t want to drive you could fly to Glasgow, or better to Glasgow Prestwick which both have good train links to Ardrossan. There’s also the train or bus to Glasgow.
What to do.
There’s some great hillwalking with Goatfell at 874m being the highest point, it’s a good day’s walk from Brodick. More challenging are the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa’s horseshoes.
There are much gentler walks in the south of the island and of course there’s the 60 mile coastal path.
The Cicerone guide “Walking on Arran” describes 44 walks of varying degrees of difficulty.
There are also many MTB trails and for the seafarers there’s plenty of beaches to launch kayaks or paddle boards.
As rightly pointed out by Walking On there's great road cycling too, Arran is a very popular venue for cycling clubs so the local traffic know how to respect cyclists.
There are also Neolithic tombs to explore.
So there’s plenty to do.
I feel very strongly that it will make a great venue for an OD meeting.
Extra info available for subscribers.
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Interest so far
Yes - definitely: andy m, Snow White, Geeray (Ray), SheilaB, Susie Hill, JohnH, Wild Adventuress, Tone, Helen 1, Phil don, Smoke_Free_Zone, Flat cap (Mike), Janhk, KateB , Kate H, clearbluesky, Philtheetiler, Rachael234, ManPlusDog, going4gold, suz (Suzanne), Chris50, jakcm, Tracy (no 'e'!), clarely, KC, Kath_T
Yes - maybe: Birdsong, Lazlo Woodbine, Walking On, Montie, LG, ActiveAnnie, busyBee, TJN, ethereal waif seeks christian, Ladyeliza (Liz)
Sorry - can't come: sue c, Catwalker, Bea (Pebbles), Vickster, M1960Disclaimer: Please note that the invitations to meet up and events are arranged by the site's user base, and are in no way condoned as official by this site. If you have any concerns about any items listed on this page then please contact us. Normal personal security issues apply. Please refer to our Online Safety page for tips on keeping safe.
This sounds like a great week John. Thank you for pulling it together.
Nice work John. Need to do a bit more research before I can commit.
LWLazlo WoodbinePlease note the change to bookings at Middletons Camp site above.
Road cycling is great there too, either the whole island loop (56 miles iirc, with cafes en-route) or shorter loops using the two cross-island roads in the southern half. Camped at Lamlash last time I was there.
WOWalking OnAye, the island is very popular with cycling clubs, I've come off the early morning ferry on a summers weekend and there's easily up to 100 cyclists coming off. The great thing about that is the local traffic is very aware of cyclists and they treat them with the due respect.
Looks fantastic John, I'll check getting time off.. cycling, walking, paddle boarding. .
bBbusyBeeWould anyone be interested in a shared cottage/airbnb?
KBKateBI stayed at the lochranza camp site last week, for 2 nights! After a island hop, road trip to oban! My first time there, but I decided then, a need a week there! Great information, and local knowledge John! Hope I can join! Cheers
amandy mAndy M, aye, once you've been to Arran once you need to go back, it will be great id you can join us.
My first trip to Arran was in 1968, it was our High School trip and we climbed Goatfell, I still can picrure it!!! And IO've been back many times since.
KateB ...so would I
on 30/09/21 @ 10:17Kate H: I mean I would like a shared cottage or similar 🙂
KHKate HKate H and KateB, there are the Auchrannie Self Catering Lodges on the outskirts of Brodick, phone number 01770 302020. I haven't stayed in them but from the website they look pretty good.
on 30/09/21 @ 11:34But as I've said before when you're on the island you're never that far away.
This morning I made a booking for SheilaB at Middletons Camping (01770 600251) and they were very receptive to take a back page (a list for next year) booking. Also when I said it was the "John Harris" group he didn't even bother with a phone number.
The site has really good reviews and a full range of facilities and pitches.
Primarilly added my name to the list for a pitch. I have a Caddy camper. Will decided whether I take EHU or invest in a Solar setup. I'm from Cambs so will need to confirm time off/plan the drive. Could bring the bike or hire depending on the group day arrangements.
jajakcmHi jakcm,
I'm certainly bring my bike, a cycle right round the island makes a great day out and there's lots ot tracks and trails for MTB.
There is also bike hire in Brodick.
Re a solar set up, remember it's the west coast of Scotland!!! You may not get a lot of sun!!!
I've a solar panel on the roof of my van but I've still gone for EHU.
John.
Ha ha John yes I will EHU. The Caddy is a recent purchase will get a bike rack sorted and a few trips in prior. Jacky
jajakcmI would be interested in sharing a cottage - either that or b&b 😎
SWSnow WhiteAlso happy to share lodge, cabin or chalet 🙂
MoMontieLove the idea John, I’m down as a possible and will confirm soon.
TnTracy (no 'e'!)Luv the sound of that but need to check a few things 🙂
BPBea (Pebbles)Great invite. Count me in. I may not be able to come for the whole week but will definitely be there.
SBSheilaBI have contacted the Middleton's site about costs but they don't seem to want to reply. I at least have been able to get a cost for the ferry up until March (assume it will be a bit higher in May). Have you any ideas on the campsite cost John?
LWLazlo WoodbineHi Lazlo,
So far I've found Middletons to be very helpful, if I remember correctly it was £20 per night for me in my campervan with electrical hook up. If it wasn't £20 per night it wasn't much more, it certainly wasn't an amount that made me reluctant to book.
Re the ferries there's quite a few ferries each day between Ardrossan and Brodick and if you register with Calmac they'll email you when the summer timetable and summer bookings are available. Especially travelling on a Wednesday getting a ferry shouldn't be a problem.
Hope that this helps, John.
I’ve booked in to Middleton’s campsite this morning. Campervan with electric hook up is £18 per night.
Shared cottage would suit me … or youth hostel Kate (? Voucher ) Liz ??
gogoing4goldSeems I have a 3+ week break might have to take on the NW500 onward bound.. would be rude not too 😉
jajakcmI have booked onto Middleton's Camping, I too will probably carry on to do the NC500. Thanks for organising this, sounds like a great week. 😀
EHEileenHHope I have copied this link about Arran correctly Tuesday 2nd. November https://fb.me/e/1PVNoopuN
PhPhiltheetilerHas anyone looked at sharing costs of an cottage yet...
BPBea (Pebbles)Just goy back from Germany and trying to catch up with all the info above...😀
Jan and I have booked an airbnb during this period. We plan to add a few days afterwards, first south of Oban, then on Ardgour
FcFlat cap (Mike)Hi Mike,
That's great that you can both make it, let us hope that the weather will be kind to us.
Cheers, John.
Hi Bea
gogoing4goldWould be happy to look at a cottage
John can you give a heads up when you might advise the ferry needs booking. Cheers
jajakcmHi Jakcm,
We will need to wait for the summer timetable to come out and I'm not sure when that will be, but you can register with Calmac on their website:
https://www.calmac.co.uk/
Anyhoo, from Ardrossan to Brodick there's about 6 sailings each day so getting a ferry won't be a problem, however it is adviseable to book ahead.
When I find out when the summer time table comes out I'll put it on the site.
Cheers, John.
Just realised the last two dates of this week clash with a D of E expedition I am leading but may come up for part of the week or shift my week to arrive sooner
gogoing4goldHi Going4gold,
That's a pity about the clash of interests but all the activities (which I'll get round to listing in the new year) will be a day at a time, so you can join in when you can, I hope that you can make it for at least some of the time.
Cheers, John.
How do you book Middleton's camping? I have contacted them twice using google. The site doesn't seem to have its own website so have massaged a couple of internet sites who claim they are acting for them but I never get back a reply.
LWLazlo WoodbineHi Lazlo,
Try this site:
https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=8259 and you'll find their mobile numbers there, the site maybe closed at the moment but if you say that you're part of the "John Harris" party then they will make a provisional booking, this has worked for quite a few others.
cheers, John
That's one of the sites I messaged. I will wait until the new year and if no joy will telephone.
LWLazlo WoodbineHi Lazlo,
on 09/12/21 @ 13:58They might not even know that they are on that site, so phoning will be better.
Cheers, John.
Regarding the campsite that many of us have already booked, their details are:
on 09/12/21 @ 14:00Middletons Camping & Caravanning Park
Cordon
Lamlash
Isle Of Arran
Ayrshire (Browse area)
KA27 8NN
Tel: 01770 600251 or 01770 600634
Hope that this helps,
John.
Since I registered with CalMac I get emails from them, here's a excert from the one I got today:
"Our new summer timetable for the period 25 March 2022 to 23 October 2022 opens for bookings on 20 December. We wanted you to be the first to know. You can view the latest timetable online on 17 December"
Hope this is useful,
Cheers John.
Hi guys bit late to the party but have just joined this meeting . I have secured a cottage over looking the sea in Lamlash if anyone is struggling for accommodation I have a spare double and single bedroom if you don’t mind a big soft at tripe dog
PdPhil donThanks for putting up this invitation, John. Have booked accommodation at Arran Sleep Huts in Lamlash. Anyone planning take road bike or MTB? I'm strictly non-technical on MTB though! Really looking forward to this - it'll be 25 years to the day since I was last on Arran!
clclearblueskyHi Clearbluesky,
on 19/01/22 @ 22:4425 years is too long not to go to Arran!!😂
I haven't decided whether to take my road bike or my hybrid, doing the full cycle round the Isle makes a great day out, there are also lots of tracks and trails for cycling too, so perhaps I'll take my hybrid
I've booked the Calmac ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick and back, for me and my van it was £42.60 return which is pretty good.
Going out I'm on the 13:50 sailing on the 4th and for the return I'm on the 12:30 sailing on the 11th. When I booked every sailing was still available, so perhaps no real need to rush but I woulddn't leave it too late either.
Cheers, John.
Would love to join you for all or some of the walks. I am based in Lochranza - just next to the campsite in the north of the island. 😀
KCKCHi KC, you are welcome to join any of the walks,
John.