Lochranza

Lochranza, on the island of Arran, boasts a spectacular castle, a distillery and plenty of wildlife in the surrounding area.

On fair Lochranza streamed the early day,
Thin wreaths of cottage smoke are upward curl'd
From the lone hamlet, which her inland bay
And circling mountains sever from the world.

- 'The Lord of the Isles' by Sir Walter Scott

The ruined castle which occupies the mud flats of the bay, and the brooding north-facing slopes of the mountains which frame it, make for one of the most spectacular settings on the island - yet Lochranza, despite being the only place of any size in this sparsely populated area, attracts far fewer visitors than Arrans southern resorts.

The castle has been eclipsed as Lochranza's main sight by Arran's brand new whisky distillery, a pristine complex distinguished by its pagoda-style roofs at the south end of the village. The tours end with a free sample of the islands newly emerging single malt.