Arran and Kintyre

Explore the diverse delights of Western Scotland on this unique holiday to the picturesque Isle of Arran and the scenic peninsula of Kintyre.

• Discover the striking landscapes of Arran, ranging from sandy beaches and rolling fields to an interior capped by the towering Goatfell peak. Arran truly is ‘Scotland in Miniature’!
• Enjoy three days based in Brodick at the refined Douglas Hotel, and visit Brodick Castle, Gardens and Country Park with a later excursion to Lochranza distillery, and the chance to watch and photograph some stunning wildlife.
• Other Arran highlights include the double cascade at Glenashdale Falls, the ancient stones at Machrie Moor and the grand, converted villas along the 2-mile-long Whiting Bay.
• Moving on to Kintyre for three nights you’ll visit remote Davaar Island, see the famous Mull of Kintyre and explore Campbeltown with its three whisky distilleries, all the while enjoying some of the finest scenery in all Scotland.
• From exquisite cuisine to lusty off-the-beaten-path excursions along coast and fell, this quintessential Scottish holiday is definitely not to be missed.
  

Saturday 8th June
London to Brodick
Your holiday starts in the First-Class lounge at London Kings Cross Station where you board a Virgin Trains service to Edinburgh. You then travel in spacious comfort up the East Coast Main Line (ECML), with an easy interchange at Edinburgh Waverley onto a ScotRail service to Glasgow Central and onto Ardrossan Harbour. There you change onto the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry for the one-hour crossing to Brodick, Arran’s principal town. Here you check into the elegant Douglas Hotel, where you’ll be based for the next three nights. Dinner is at your hotel this evening. (L D)

Sunday 9th June
Brodick Castle and Gardens; Goatfell and Lochranza Distillery
After a leisurely breakfast this morning you’ll have time to look around bustling Brodick before a scheduled late morning visit to Brodick Castle, Gardens and Country Park. A quintessential Victorian estate, this is the only island country park in the whole of Britain. The Castle houses an outstanding collection of period furniture, silverware, porcelain, paintings and sporting trophies. The estate features a range of habitats from the formal walled gardens to wild woodland walks, all against a backdrop of stunning views over Brodick Bay. You’ll see the wild Ayrshire coast on one side, with towering Goatfell peak on the other. After your visit you’ll have a coach trip along the east and north coasts of the island to the whisky distillery at Lochranza, for a guided tour and a ‘wee dram’. There’ll be several stops along the way for bird watching and photography at scenic vantage points, so you can begin to immerse yourself in the amazing landscapes of Arran. Dinner will be served back at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Monday 10th June
Nature and scenery of southern and central Arran
Today a relaxed tour of the south of Arran awaits, with stops at the sweeping 2-mile-long Whiting Bay, the village of Kildonan, the turbulent Glenashdale Falls and the Standing Stones at Machrie Moor. Whiting Bay is the third largest of Arran's settlements after Lamlash and Brodick and retains much of the quiet gentility of an earlier era, although many grand villas have since been converted to hotels, guest houses and restaurants. The double cascade at Glenashdale Falls is a delight to view and the ancient stones at Machrie Moor are a fine example of a Neolithic centre of ritual and domestic activity, scattered across a lonely moorland. It’s a day for trail walking, bird watching, wildlife photography and marvel at the views and countless natural highlights. Dinner will be served back at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Tuesday 11th June
Western Arran and on to Kintyre
Today you travel through the heart of Arran by coach, with road stops at some striking vantage points, before taking the island’s main road for a drive along Arran’s West coast. At Lochranza village you’ll enjoy the views of the ruined stone castle, originally built as a hall-house in the late 1200s or early 1300s, before boarding the CalMac ferry for a 30-minute crossing over to Claonaig on Kintyre. Your comfortable road coach then takes the scenic main road along the west coast of Kintyre south to Campbeltown, once again stopping at the most picturesque nature spots. You arrive later at the graceful Royal Hotel in Campbeltown, overlooking the delightful working harbour, replete with fishing boats and leisure craft. Dinner is at your hotel this evening. (B D)

Wednesday 12th June
Davaar Island, Dunaverty Beach and Mull of Kintyre
Today is dedicated to exploring the very southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula, including rocky Davaar Island, located just east of Campbeltown and only accessible by a causeway road. You’ll also discover Dunaverty Beach and the famous Mull of Kintyre, made famous by Paul McCartney’s song of the same name. This is a beautiful area, combining rugged cliffs and coastline facing the North Atlantic, with secluded and often deserted, golden sandy beaches. It enjoys a special climate all of its own, as evidenced by the many palm trees growing out in the open, and often has better weather than much of the rest of Scotland. You return to Campbeltown in the late afternoon and look forward to a silver-served dinner at your Royal Hotel. (B D)

Thursday 13th June
Leisure in Campbeltown and Machrihanish Dunes
After several active days, it’s time for a more relaxing morning at leisure in wonderful Campbeltown. Located on a deep bay sheltered by Davaar Island and the surrounding hills, Campbeltown has three whisky distilleries (out of a one-time 28) and was once the whisky capital of the world! In the afternoon your coach then takes you to the sandy Machrihanish Dunes on the western coast of Kintyre, just outside Campbeltown and home to a famous links golf course. Enjoy the undulating dunes and the wonderful coastline scenery. Dinner is back at your hotel tonight. (B D)

Friday 14th June
Return to London
You’ll rise early today for the crossing on the direct CalMac ferry from Campbeltown to Ardrossan Harbour, which only runs on two days of the week. During the trip, you’ll again have excellent views of Arran as the ferry rounds the island to the south. From Ardrossan Harbour you continue on to Glasgow Central on a fast, electric service with ScotRail. From there it’s a trip on an Avanti Pendolino train in First Class comfort back to London. (B)