Introduction

This evening, I am reprising a three day, ‘Clan Currie Tour of Arran‘ from 2017.

Arran Tour-Day 1

The tour started with assembly of the tour group in central Glasgow and connection with the tour bus. The trip then proceeded as follows:

• First, one hour trip south to Ardrossan for ferry connection to Brodick which sailed on time. However, the crossing was buffeted by rain and wind. This gave rise to a 30 minute delay due to assistance provided to a fishing vessel which was experiencing difficulties.

• Upon arrival at Brodick at 12.30pm we visited the nearby Heritage Museum which has a wide range of exhibits.Here are artefacts and items dating from prehistoric times through to the 20th century. These include a section on the Highland Clearances and local genealogy in which Curries feature prominently.

• Next to a historic old church at Clachan, Shiskine in the S.W.of Arran. Here the group attended a dedication ceremony to a plaque recording the Curries from the local area.

Video clip of Piper at ceremony.

• Next, to the nearby St Molios Church at Shiskine for another service which lasted about 20 minutes.

• Finally group were deposited at various hotels around Brodick.
• Later in the evening the group attended a Ceilidh at Brodick Village Hall.

Arran Tour-Day 2

Today’s weather was characterised by sunshine and showers.

We commenced the day with a drive north from Brodick to Lochranza, lasting about thirty minutes. We arrived in time for the 11.00 am guided tour of Isle of Arran Distillery. This facility was founded by the late Harold Currie in 1995 and is now in a strong growth phase. A second distillery under construction at Lagg in the south of Arran.

The Distillery guide was excellent taking us through the malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation and maturation processes including a tasting. Most of the output is non-peated although the Machrie Moor expression has proved a popular peated addition.clip of production area.

Upon conclusion of the tour we availed of a pre-arranged lunch at the on-site restaurant.

Upon departing the distillery about 2.00pm we drove to the nearby Lochranza Castle Our arrival coincided with performance by a lady Piper which added atmosphere to this 500 year-old site

Video clip at Lochranza Castle.

Next, we continued in anti-clockwise direction around the perimeter of the island. Initially, our route followed a raised beach dating back to end of the last Ice Age.

Arran Tour-Day 2: Machrie Moor

After about twenty minutes we arrived at our next destination of the Machrie Moor prehistoric site. Access entails a two mile round trip hike along farm tracks and fields. Machrie Moor ranks as one of the most important sites of its type in Western Europe. Occupational pottery evidence dates from 3900 BC. However, the collection of chambered tombs, hut circles and megalithic rings (six) date from around 2900 BC. These were in use until around 1000 BC when occupation of all such sites ended.

A section of the tour group elected to visit the village of Kilmory in the south of the island.The church was of special significance to one couple in the group.

In late afternoon the group was reunited and transported back to Brodick where today’s touring activities concluded.

At Brodick we encountered the the historic paddle steamer Waverley.

Arran Tour-Day 3

Today, we experienced mixed weather conditions notwithstanding which our plans remained intact.

First, a group of three golfers were transferred from Brodick to Shiskine in readiness for 10.10 am tee time.

Upon return of the bus to Brodick rest of group were transferred to Isle of Arran Brewery. Here, we joined the 11.00 am tour of the (craft) brewery which lasted about one hour. The full brewing process was explained. This entailed malting, milling, lauter tun, wort receiver, brew kettle, whirlpool, heat exchanger, fermentation, filtration, conditioning and bottling. Key product is Arran Blonde which sells across Scotland and into northern England. Small samples of each product was supplied.

Next, after visiting local craft shops, the main group had lunch and was reunited with the golfers about 2.15pm Some group members then visited Brodick Castle grounds with others availing of a free afternoon in Brodick.

Great news! Whilst at Brodick Castle two members of the group announced their engagement.

Tomorrow, we return to the mainland and transfer to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital where we should arrive around early afternoon.

More information for the tourist

The publication, Visitors’ Guide Scotland includes a section on Isle of Arran. There is a wide range of further information on Scottish islands, the Highlands and much more. ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindle.