G is for Golf

With 7 golf courses and a driving range on the Isle of Arran, it could be described as a golfers paradise.  The courses are varied and all quite different.  They range from 9 to 18 holes, some have tearooms, some have restaurants.  And some are dog friendly - provided the dogs don't steal opponents golf balls! The courses are Brodick, Lamlash, Shiskine, Whiting Bay, Corrie, Lochranza and Machrie.

Machrie Bay Gold Course

The cheapest way to play the courses is to buy a Golf Pass and the 'Golf on Arran' site is worthwhile checking as there are frequent offers including ferries or meals.  There are a few unique features on some of the courses, such as the red deer which frequent Lochranza, the tee across the road at Machrie and other obstacles such as high tides and wind (lets not mention the midges in summer).

Shiskine Golf Course (at Blackwaterfoot)

I do not play golf but regularly frequent the tearooms, which provide an endless supply of cakes and coffee - some remaining open throughout the winter.

Deer grazing on Lochranza Golf course

Deer of the red variety and a Double blog day! (A to Z challenge)

Yes madness set in a while ago but it truly is starting to show as I now try to juggle two challenges, one lasting a whole year and the other just for the month of April.  But trying to blog daily is a little scary, and I am doing it to try to improve my writing skills and not the image side. 

Stag during rut

Red deer abound on the Isle of Arran and there is much history surrounding the herds and previous land estate owners who take on the responsibility of managing the numbers.

On the hill sides and in the glens herds roam and can easily be seen even from the road (especially along the String and Boguillie).  The red deer that inhabit the mountains and forests are wild and will move away from people, unlike the herds that gravitate around Lochranza.  These are less fearful of people and this can lull visitors into a false sense of believing the animals are tame.  Beware they are NOT!  During the rut, males can become especially aggressive and the antlers are lethal weapons.  Likewise the deer do not like dogs and will frequently attack lose dogs that approach too closely (as the local vet can testify)!  Two stags fighting over a harem, can be a violent affair if earlier posturing has not deterred one of them.  Antlers get broken and deep gouges / stab wounds may cause the death of a rival (meanwhile the females / hinds graze on).

Mountain stag

The deer shed their antlers every year and these can sometimes be found lying in the heather.  Tiny scratch marks on these are caused by small voles and mammals gnawing to ingest vital minerals.The Lochranza deer are attracted to the lush green grass of the golf course – an amusing hazard for Arran golfers (not just the deer but also the poo).

Close up of antler showing lethal points

Further information about the deer and peculiarities can be found on these links:-

Red deer on Arran

Strange antlers on red deer

B is for Brodick & Brewery

Keeping to my theme of 'Arran in Focus' day 2 is relatively easy as the main town on the Isle of Arran is called Brodick.  For the majority of visitors, this is where they will disembark from the ferry (a second ferry services the north of the island in summer) and where most of the shops can be found.  Apart form the supermarket all the shops independent and have some unique gift ideas along with some amazing Arran food products.  Sitting on the east side of the island, Brodick meanders along the promenade giving fabulous views of Goatfell (weather permitting) and across the bay towards Brodick Castle.

Overlooking Brodick Bay

For those wandering to the outskirts of Brodick past the golf course, the castle has superb grounds with an amazing collection of rhododendrons, including some giant species. This is also where Arran Brewery can be found; my favourite is Arran Blonde.

Brodick Castle

There are a huge variety of walks around Brodick, showing off the diversity of this small area.  Red squirrels can frequently be seen in the forest and woodland around the castle, seals on the coast and many varieties of birds. Also dotted around are several standing stones - most unmarked and just part of Arran's landscape.

For those wanting food, be warned there are no chains here (Costa Coffee, Macdonalds etc.), most food outlets pride themselves on using local produce and seasonal foods.  The Auchrannie has just revamped it's 1869 restaurant and is now serving a tapas style menu, and the Douglas has a lovely bistro style bar.  Not forgetting the new Fiddlers bar, Brodick Bar, Cafe in Bilslands, Arran on a Plate and a little cafe at Duchess Court.

There is so much more but some of the fun is finding out for yourself - keep reading as I work through the Alphabet of Arran.