Wikipedia

Isle of Arran

This article is about the Scottish island. For other uses, seeArran.
Not to be confused withAran Islands.

TheIsle of Arran[7](/ˈærən/;Scottish Gaelic:Eilean Arainn) or simplyArranis an island off the west coast of Scotland. It is the largest island in theFirth of Clydeand the seventh-largest Scottish island, at 432 square kilometres (167 sq mi).Historicallypart ofButeshire,it is in theunitary council areaofNorth Ayrshire.In the 2011 census it had a resident population of 4,629. Though culturally and physically similar to theHebrides,it is separated from them by theKintyre peninsula.Often referred to as "Scotland in Miniature", the Island is divided into highland and lowland areas by theHighland Boundary Faultand has been described as a "geologist's paradise".[8]

Isle of Arran
Scottish GaelicnameEilean Arainn
Pronunciation[ˈelanˈaɾɪɲ]ⓘ
Old NorsenameHerrey[1]
Meaning of namePossiblyBrythonicfor "high place"
Arran Sunset Taken from Bell Stane, Ardneil Bay, 2007
Arran Sunset Taken from Bell Stane, Ardneil Bay, 2007
Location
Isle of Arran is located in Argyll and Bute
Isle of Arran
Isle of Arran
Arran shown within the Firth of Clyde
OS grid referenceNR950359
Coordinates55°34′39″N5°14′15″W/ 55.5775°N 5.2375°W/55.5775; -5.2375
Physical geography
Island groupFirth of Clyde
Area43,201 hectares (167 sq mi)
Area rank7[2] [3]
Highest elevationGoat Fell874 m (2,867 ft)
Administration
Council areaNorth Ayrshire
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Demographics
Population4,629[4]
Population rank6[4] [3]
Population density10.72 people/km2[4][5]
Largest settlementLamlash
Lymphad
References[6]

Arran has been continuously inhabited since the earlyNeolithicperiod. Numerousprehistoricremains have been found. From the 6th century onwards,Goidelic-speakingpeoples from Ireland colonised it and it became a centre of religious activity. In the troubledViking Age,Arran became the property of theNorwegiancrown, until formally absorbed by the kingdom of Scotland in the 13th century. The 19th-century "clearances"led to significant depopulation and the end of the Gaelic language and way of life. The economy and population have recovered in recent years, the main industry being tourism. However, the increase in tourism and people buying holiday homes on the Island, the second highest rate of such homes in the UK, has led to a shortage of affordable homes on the Island.[9]There is a diversity of wildlife, including threespeciesof treeendemicto the area.

The Island includes miles of coastal pathways, numerous hills and mountains, forested areas, rivers, small lochs and beaches. Its main beaches are atBrodick,Whiting Bay,Kildonan,SannoxandBlackwaterfoot.

Etymology

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Most of theislands of Scotlandhave been occupied consecutively by speakers of at least four languages since theIron Age.Therefore, the names of many islands have more than one possible origin, including Arran. Mac an Tàilleir (2003) says the name "is said to be unrelated" to those ofArranmoreor theAran Islandsin Ireland, which come fromIrishÁrainnmeaning "kidney-shaped ", though he does not rule out this derivation.[10]

Unusually for a Scottish island, Haswell-Smith (2004) and William Cook Mackenzie (1931) offer aBrythonicderivation and a meaning of "high place" (c.f.Middle Welsharan) which at least corresponds with the geography – Arran is significantly loftier than all the land that immediately surrounds it along the shores of the Firth of Clyde.[8][11]

Any other Brythonic place-names that may have existed, save perhaps for Mayish,[12]were later replaced on Arran as the Goidelic-speakingGaelsspread from Ireland, via their adjacent kingdom ofDál Riata.

During theViking Ageit became, along with most Scottish islands, the property of theNorwegiancrown, at which time it may have been known as "Herrey" or "Hersey". As a result of thisNorseinfluence, many current place-names on Arran are of Viking origin.[13]

Geography

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Cìr MhòrandCaisteal Abhailseen from North Goatfell

The island lies in theFirth of ClydebetweenAyrandArdrossan,andKintyre.The profile of the north Arran hills as seen from theAyrshirecoast is referred to as the "Sleeping Warrior",due to its resemblance to a resting human figure.[14][15]The highest of these hills isGoat Fellat 873.5 metres (2,866 ft).[16]There are three otherCorbetts,all in the north east:Caisteal Abhail,Cìr MhòrandBeinn Tarsuinn.Beinn Bharrain is the highest peak in the north west at 721 metres (2,365 ft).[17]

The largest glen on the island is Glen Iorsa to the west, whilst narrow Glen Sannox (Gaelic:Gleann Shannaig) and Glen Rosa (Gaelic:Gleann Ròsa) to the east surround Goat Fell. The terrain to the south is less mountainous, although a considerable portion of the interior lies above 350 metres (1,150 ft), and A' Chruach reaches 512 metres (1,680 ft) at its summit.[18][19]There are two otherMarilynsin the south,Tighveinand Mullach Mòr (Holy Island).

Villages

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See also:Category:Villages in the Isle of Arran
Lochranzavillage andcastle
Holy Islandas seen from Arran

Arran has several villages, mainly around the shoreline.Brodick(Old Norse:'broad bay') is the site of the ferry terminal, several hotels, and the majority of shops.Brodick Castleis a seat of theDukes of Hamilton.Lamlash,however, is the largest village on the island and in 2001 had a population of 1,010 (1,100 mid-2020 est.) compared to 621 for Brodick.[20]Other villages includeLochranzaandCatacolin the north,Corriein the north east,Blackwaterfootand Kilmory in the south west,Kildonanin the south andWhiting Bayin the south east.

Surrounding islands

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Main article:Islands of the Clyde

Arran has three smaller satellite islands:Holy Islandlies to the east opposite Lamlash,Pladdais located off Arran's south coast and tinyHamilton Islelies just off Clauchlands Point 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) north of Holy Island. Eilean na h-Àirde Bàine off the south west of Arran at Corriecravie is askerryconnected to Arran at low tide.Ailsa Craigis situated south east of Arran and on a clear day is visible from most of Arran's south coast.

Other islands in theFirth of ClydeincludeBute,Great CumbraeandInchmarnock.

Geology

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The division between the "Highland" and "Lowland" areas of Arran is marked by theHighland Boundary Faultwhich runs north east to south west across Scotland.[21]Arran is a popular destination forgeologists,who come to seeintrusive igneous landformssuch assillsanddykes,andsedimentaryand meta-sedimentary rocks ranging in age fromPrecambriantoMesozoic.

Most of the interior of the northern half of the island is taken up by a largegranitebatholiththat was created by substantial magmatic activity around 58 million years ago in thePaleogeneperiod.[22]This comprises an outer ring of coarse granite and an inner core of finer grained granite, which was intruded later. This granite was intruded into the LateProterozoicto Cambrian metasediments of theDalradianSupergroup. Other Paleogene igneous rocks on Arran include extensivefelsicand composite sills in the south of the island, and the central ring complex, an eroded caldera system surrounded by a near-continuous ring of granitic rocks.[23]

Sedimentary rocks dominate the southern half of the island, especiallyOldandNew Red Sandstone.Some of these sandstones containfulgurites– pitted marks that may have been created by Permian lightning strikes.[21]Largeaeoliansand dunes are preserved inPermiansandstones nearBrodick,showing the presence of an ancient desert. Within the central complex are subsided blocks of Triassic sandstone andmarl,Jurassicshale, and even a rare example ofCretaceouschalk.[24][25]During the 19th centurybaryteswas mined nearSannox.First discovered in 1840, nearly 5,000 tons were produced between 1853 and 1862. The mine was closed by the11th Duke of Hamiltonon the grounds that it "spoiled the solemn grandeur of the scene" but was reopened after the First World War and operated until 1938 when the vein ran out.[26]

Visiting in 1787, the geologistJames Huttonfound his first example of anunconformityto the north of Newton Point nearLochranza,which provided evidence for hisPlutonisttheories ofuniformitarianismand about theage of the Earth.This spot is one of the most famous places in the study of geology.[27][28]

ThePleistoceneglaciations almost entirely covered Scotland in ice, and Arran's highest peaks may have beennunataksat this time.[21]After the last retreat of the ice at the close of thePleistoceneepochsea levelswere up to 70 metres (230 ft) lower than at present and it is likely that circa 14,000BPthe island was connected to mainland Scotland.[29]Sea level changes and theisostaticrise of land makes chartingpost-glacialcoastlines a complex task, but it is evident that the island is ringed bypost glacialraised beaches.[30]King's Caveon the south west coast is an example of anemergent landformon such a raised beach. This cave, which is over 30.5 metres (100 ft) long and up to 15.3 metres (50 ft) high, lies well above the present day sea level.[31][32][33]There are tall sea cliffs to the north east including large rock slides under the heights of Torr Reamhar,Torr Meadhonachand at Scriden (An Scriodan) at the far north end of the island.[19][34][35]

The island also has the highest concentration ofpitchstonesources in the United Kingdom, with approximately 100 documented sources of it on the island.[36]

Climate

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The influence of theAtlantic Oceanand theGulf Streamcreate a mild oceanic climate. Temperatures are generally cool, averaging about 6°C(43°F) in January and 16 °C (61 °F) in July at sea level.[37]The southern half of the island, being less mountainous, has a more favourable climate than the north, and the east coast is more sheltered from the prevailing winds than the west and south.

Snow seldom lies at sea level and frosts are less frequent than on the mainland. As in most islands of the west coast of Scotland, annual rainfall is generally high at between 1,500 mm (59 in) in the south and west and 1,900 mm (75 in) in the north and east. The mountains are wetter still with the summits receiving over 2,550 mm (100 in) annually. May and June are the sunniest months, with upwards of 200 hours of bright sunshine being recorded on average.[37]

History

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Prehistory

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Machrie Moor Standing Stones

Arran has a particular concentration of earlyNeolithicClyde Cairns,a form ofGallery grave.The typical style of these is a rectangular or trapezoidal stone and earth mound that encloses a chamber lined with larger stone slabs. Pottery and bone fragments found inside them suggest they were used for interment and some have forecourts, which may have been an area for public display or ritual. There are two good examples in Monamore Glen west of the village of Lamlash,[38]and similar structures called theGiants' Gravesabove Whiting Bay. There are numerous standing stones dating from prehistoric times, including six stone circles onMachrie Moor(Gaelic:Am Machaire).[39]

Pitchstonedeposits on the island were used locally to make various items in theMesolithicera.[40]In theNeolithicand theEarly Bronze Agepitchstone from the Isle of Arran or items made from it were transported around Britain.[40]It is thought to be the source of most, it not all, pitchstone artefacts found in the United Kingdom. There are more than 100 document sources of the material on the island that prehistoric people could have collected/mined from.[36]

SeveralBronze Agesites have been excavated, including Ossian's Mound near Clachaig and a cairn near Blackwaterfoot that produced a bronze dagger and a gold fillet.[41]Torr a' Chaisteal Dun in the south west near Sliddery is the ruin of anIron Agefortified structure dating from about AD 200. The original walls would have been 3 metres (9.8 ft) or more thick and enclosed a circular area about 14 metres (46 ft) in diameter.[42]

In 2019, aLidarsurvey revealed 1,000 ancient sites in Arran including acursus[43]near Drumadoon. Excavation began in 2023. This is believed to be the only complete example in Britain.[44]

Gaels, Vikings and Middle Ages

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Lochranza Castle,16th century

An ancient Irish poem calledAgalllamh na Senorach,first recorded in the 13th century, describes the attractions of the island.

Arran of the many stags
The sea strikes against her shoulders,
Companies of men can feed there,
Blue spears are reddened among her boulders.

Merry hinds are on her hills,
Juicy berries are there for food,
Refreshing water in her streams,
Nuts in plenty in the wood.[45]

The monastery ofAileachfounded bySt. Brendanin the 6th century may have been on Arran andSt. Molaisewas also active, with Holy Isle being a centre of Brendan's activities.[46]The caves below Keil Point (Gaelic:Rubha na Cille) contain a slab which may have been an ancient altar. This stone has twopetrosomatoglyphson it, the prints of two right feet, said to be of Saint Columba.[47]

Cliffs at Blackwaterfoot
The "King's Cave", reputedly a refuge of King Robert the Bruce

In the 11th century Arran became part of the Sodor (Old Norse: 'Suðr-eyjar'), or South Isles of theKingdom of Mann and the Isles,but on the death ofGodred Crovanin 1095 all the isles came under the direct rule ofMagnus III of Norway.Lagman(1103–1104) restored local rule. After the death ofSomerledin 1164, Arran and Bute were ruled by his son Angus.[48]In 1237, the Scottish isles broke away completely from theIsle of Manand became an independent kingdom. After the indecisiveBattle of Largsbetween the kingdoms of Norway and Scotland in 1263,Haakon Haakonsson, King of Norwayreclaimed Norwegian lordship over the "provinces" of the west. Arriving atMull,he rewarded a number of his Norse-Gaelic vassals with grants of lands. Bute was given toRuadhriand Arran to Murchad MacSween.[Note 1]Following Haakon's death later that year Norway ceded the islands of western Scotland to the Scottish crown in 1266 by theTreaty of Perth.A substantial Viking grave has been discovered near King's Cross south of Lamlash, containing whalebone, iron rivets and nails, fragments ofbronzeand a 9th-century bronze coin, and another grave of similar date nearby yielded a sword and shield.[50][51]Arran was also part of the medievalBishopric of Sodor and Man.

On the opposite side of the island near Blackwaterfoot is the King's Cave (see above), whereRobert the Bruceis said to have taken shelter in the 14th century.[52]Bruce returned to the island in 1326, having earlier granted lands to Fergus MacLouis for assistance rendered during his time of concealment there. Brodick Castle played a prominent part in the island's medieval history. Probably dating from the 13th century, it was captured by English forces during theWars of Independencebefore being taken back by Scottish troops in 1307. It was badly damaged by action from English ships in 1406 and sustained an attack byJohn of Islay,theLord of the Islesin 1455. Originally a seat of theClan Stewart of Menteithit passed to theBoydfamily in the 15th century.[53][54]For a short time during the reign ofKing James Vin the 16th century, the Isle of Arran was under the regency ofRobert Maxwell, 5th Lord Maxwell.[55]

Modern era

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"Hamilton Terrace" with the Clearances Monument, Lamlash

At the commencement of theEarly modern periodJames, 2nd Lord Hamiltonbecame aprivy counsellorto his first cousin,James IV of Scotlandand helped to arrange his marriage to PrincessMargaret Tudorof England. As a reward he was created Earl of Arran in 1503. The local economy for much of this period was based on therun rigsystem, the basic crops being oats, barley and potatoes. The population slowly grew to about 6,500. In the early 19th centuryAlexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton(1767–1852) embarked on a programme ofclearancesthat had a devastating effect on the island's population. These "improvements" typically led to land that had been rented out to as many as 27 families being converted into a single farm. In some cases, land was promised in Canada for each adult emigrant male. In April 1829, for example, 86 islanders boarded the brigCaledoniafor the two-month journey, half their fares being paid for by the Duke. However, on arrival inQuebeconly 41 hectares (100 acres) was made available to the heads of extended families. Whole villages were removed and the Gaelic culture of the island devastated. The writerJames Hoggwrote, "Ah! Wae's [Woe is] me. I hear the Duke of Hamilton's crofters are a'gaun away, man and mother's son, frae the Isle o' Arran. Pity on us!".[56]A memorial to this has been constructed on the shore at Lamlash, paid for by a Canadian descendant of the emigrants.[57][58]

Goatfellwas the scene of the death of English tourist Edwin Rose who was allegedly murdered by John Watson Laurie in 1889 on the mountain. Laurie was sentenced to death, later commuted to a life sentence and spent the rest of his life in prison.[59]

On 10 August 1941 a RAFConsolidated B-24 Liberator LB-30AAM261 was flying fromRAF Heathfieldin Ayrshire toGander International Airportin Newfoundland. However, the B-24 crashed into the hillside of Mullach Buidhe north of Goat Fell, killing all 22 passengers and crew.[60]

Overview of population trends
Year Population[61] Year Population
1755 3,646 1931 4,506
1782 5,804 1961 3,700
1821 6,600 1971 3,564
1841 6,241 1981 3,845
1881 4,730 1991 4,474
1891 4,824 2001 5,058
2011 4,629

Arran's resident population was 4,629 in 2011, a decline of just over 8 per cent from the 5,045 recorded in 2001,[62]against a background of Scottish island populations as a whole growing by 4 per cent to 103,702 over the same period.[63]

Gaelic

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Further information:Arran Gaelic

Local government

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Arran's location withinAyrshire

From the 17th to the late 20th century, Arran was part of theCounty of Bute.[64]After the 1975reorganisation of local governmentArran became part of the district ofCunninghameinStrathclydeRegion.[65]This two-tier system of local government lasted until 1996 when theLocal Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994came into effect, abolishing the regions and districts and replacing them with 32council areas.Arran is now in theNorth Ayrshirecouncil area, along with some of the other constituent islands of the County of Bute.

In the2017 North Ayrshire Council election,the Ardrossan and Arran Ward elected twoSNPand oneScottish Conservative Partycouncillors. Following boundary changes, Arran became its own single-member ward in the2022 North Ayrshire Council election,electing a single Scottish Conservative councillor.[66]

For some statistical purposes Arran is within theregistration countyofBute,[67]and for ceremonial purposes it forms part of thelieutenancy areaofAyrshire and Arran.

In the House of Commons, since 2005 it has been part ofthe Ayrshire North and Arran constituency,represented since 2024 byIrene Campbellof theLabour party.It had been part ofCunninghame Northfrom 1983 to 2005, and ofAyrshire North and Butefrom 1918 to 1983.

In theScottish Parliament,Arran is part of the constituency ofCunninghame North,currently represented byKenneth Gibsonof theScottish National Party(SNP). TheLabour Partyheld the seat until 2007, when the SNP gained it by 48 votes, making it the most marginal seat in Holyrood until 2011, when the SNP increased its majority to 6,117 over Labour.[68]Cunninghame North sits within theWest Scotland Scottish Parliament Electoral Region.

Health services

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NHS Ayrshire and Arranis responsible for the provision of health services for the island.Arran War Memorial Hospitalis a 17-bed acute hospital at Lamlash. The Arran Medical Group provides primary-care services and supports the hospital. The practice is based at Brodick Health Centre and has three base surgeries and four branch surgeries.[69]

Transport

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Map of Arran. The island to the east isHoly Islandand the tiny island to the south isPladda.

Arran is connected to the Scottish mainland by two ferry routes operated byCaledonian MacBrayne(CalMac). The Brodick to Ardrossan service is provided byMVCaledonian Isles,with additional summer sailings byMVIsle of Arran.A service toLochranzais provided byMVCatrionafromClaonaigin summer and fromTarbertin winter.[70]Summer day trips are also available on board thepaddle steamerPSWaverley,and a summer service operated by a local resident connects Lamlash to the neighbouring Holy Island.

Brodick Ferry Terminal underwent £22 million of work to improve connections to the island. The new terminal includes better passenger facilities, increased passenger and freight capacity, and a new pier, all of which were set to open in August 2017 but finally opened on 20 March 2018, due to various construction issues. The island is served by a new £200-million dual-fuelled ferry,Glen Sannox,which has capacity for 1,000 passengers.Glen Sannoxwas due to enter service in 2018, but due to significant delays and cost increases, the vessel entered service in January 2025 and is to be followed by another new vessel,MVGlen Rosa.The delay to the arrival of these ferries has been dubbed the 'Ferry Fiasco'.[71]

The mountains of northern Arran viewed from theCaledonian MacBrayneferryMVCatriona,sailing betweenLochranzaandClaonaiginKintyre.

There are three through roads on the island. The 90 km (56 mi) coast road circumnavigates the island. In 2007, a 48 km (30 mi) stretch of this road, previously designated as A841, was de-classified as a C road. Travelling south from Whiting Bay, the C147 goes round the south coast continuing north up the west coast of the island to Lochranza. At this point the road becomes the A841 down the east coast back to Whiting Bay.[72]At one point the coast road ventures inland to climb the 200 metres (660 ft) pass at the Boguillie between Creag Ghlas Laggan and Caisteal Abhail, located between Sannox and Lochranza.[19]

The other two roads run across from the east to the west side of the island. The main cross-island road is the 19 km (12 mi) B880 from Brodick to Blackwaterfoot, called "The String", which climbs over Gleann an t-Suidhe. About 10 kilometres (6 mi) from Brodick, a minor road branches off to the right to Machrie. The single-track road "The Ross" runs 15 kilometres (9 mi) from Lamlash to Lagg and Sliddery via Glen Scorodale (Gaelic:Gleann Sgoradail).[73]

The island can be explored using a public bus service operated byStagecoach.[74]The bus service is subsidised by theStrathclyde Partnership for Transport.[75]The main bus terminal on the island is located in Brodick at the Ferry Terminal. The newly upgraded facility offers routes to all parts of the island.

The closest airport to the Isle of Arran isCampbeltown Airportwhich is accessed via theCampbeltowntoBrodickferry. The airport operates 2 flights a day toGlasgowwithLoganair.

Economy

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Tourism

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PSWaverleyin front ofBrodick Castle

The main industry on the island is tourism, with outdoor activities such aswalking,cyclingand wildlife watching being especially popular.[76]Popular walking routes include climbing to the summit ofGoat Fell,and theArran Coastal Way,a 107 km (66 mi) trail that goes around the coastline the island.[77][78][79]The Arran Coastal Way was designated as one ofScotland's Great TrailsbyScottish Natural Heritagein June 2017.[80]

One of Arran's greatest attractions for tourists isBrodick Castle,owned by theNational Trust for Scotland.The Auchrannie Resort, which contains two hotels, three restaurants, two leisure complexes and an adventure company, is one of biggest employers on the island.[81]Local businesses include theArran Distillery,which was opened in 1995 inLochranza.This is open for tours and contains a shop and cafe. A second visitor centre has been announced for the south of the island, due to open in 2019.

The island has a number of golf courses including the 12 holeShiskinelinkscourse which was founded in 1896.[82]The village ofLagg,at the southern tip of Arran, has anudistbeach. Known as Cleat's Shore, it has been described as one of the quietest nudist facilities in the world.[83]

Other industries

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Farming and forestry are other important industries. Plans for 2008 for a largesalmonfarm holding 800,000 or more fish in Lamlash Bay have been criticised by theCommunity of Arran Seabed Trust.They fear the facility could jeopardise Scotland's first marine No Take Zone, which was announced in September 2008.[84][85]

The Brewery logo

Isle of Arran Brewery is amicrobreweryfounded in March 2000 inCladach,nearBrodick.The business went into liquidation in May 2008,[86]but was then sold to Marketing Management Services International Ltd in June 2008. It is now back in production and the beers widely available in Scotland, including certain Aldi stores, yet cutting staff in 2017 and 2018.[87]Other businesses include Arran Aromatics, which produces a range of luxury toiletries, perfumes and candles, Arran Dairies, Arran Cheese Shop, James's Chocolates, Wooleys of Arran and Arran Energy who produce biomass wood fuels from island-grown timber.[88]

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The Scottish Gaelic dialect of Arran died out when the last speaker Donald Craig died in the 1970s. However, there is now a Gaelic House in Brodick, set up at the end of the 1990s.Brodick Castlefeatures on theRoyal Bank of Scotland£20 note andLochranza Castlewas used as the model for the castle inThe Adventures of Tintin,volume seven,The Black Island.

Arran has one newspaper,The Arran Banner.It was listed in theGuinness Book of Recordsin November 1984 as the "local newspaper which achieves the closest to a saturation circulation in its area". The entry reads: "The Arran Banner,founded in 1974, has a readership of more than 97 per cent in Britain's seventh largest off-shore island. "[89]There is also an online monthly publication calledVoice for Arran,which mainly publishes articles contributed by community members.[90]

In 2010 an "Isle of Arran" version of the gameMonopolywas launched.[91]

Theknittingstyle used to createAran sweatersis often mistakenly associated with the Isle of Arran rather than the IrishAran Islands.[92]

Arran landscapes have been the inspiration for numerous famous artists includingCragie Aitchison,Joan Eardley,Jessie M King,andSamuel Peploe.[93][94][95]”The Isle Of Arran” is a song by British rapper Loyle Carner.

Arran features inThe Scottish Chiefsby Jane Porter[96] and Michael Peinkofer's children book series "Gryphony" is set on the island.[97]

Nature and conservation

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Red deerare numerous on the northern hills, and there are populations ofred squirrel,badger,otter,adderandcommon lizard.Offshore there areharbour porpoises,basking sharksand various species ofdolphin.[98]

Flora

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Sorbus arranensisin flower atEglinton Country Park,Irvine.

The island has threeendemicspecies of tree, theArran whitebeams.[99]These trees are the Scottish or Arran whitebeam (Sorbus arranensis), the bastard mountain ash or cut-leaved whitebeam (Sorbus pseudofennica)[100]and the Catacol whitebeam (Sorbus pseudomeinichii). If rarity is measured by numbers alone they are amongst the most endangered tree species in the world. The trees grow in Glen Diomhan offGlen Catacolwhich was formerly aNational Nature Reserve.Although this designation was removed in 2011 the area continues to form part of a designatedSite of Special Scientific Interest(SSSI), and is monitored by staff fromNatureScot.[101]Only 236Sorbus pseudofennicaand 283Sorbus arranensiswere recorded as mature trees in 1980.[102]They are typically trees of the mountain slopes, close to the tree line. However, they will grow at lower altitudes, and are being preserved within Brodick Country Park.

Birds

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Over 250[103]species of bird have been recorded on Arran, includingblack guillemot,eider,peregrine falcon,golden eagle,short-eared owl,red-breasted merganserandblack-throated diver.In 1981 there were 28ptarmiganon Arran, but in 2009 it was reported that extensive surveys had been unable to record any.[104][105]However, the following year a group of 5 was reported.[106]Similarly, thered-billed choughno longer breeds on the island.[107]108 km2(42 sq mi) of Arran's upland areas is designated aSpecial Protection Areaunder theNatura 2000programme due to its importance for breedinghen harriers.[108]

Marine conservation

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The north of Lamlash Bay became a Marine Protected Area and No Take Zone under theMarine (Scotland) Act 2010,which means no fish or shellfish may be taken in the area.[109][110]In 2014 theScottish Governmentcreated Scotland's firstMarine Conservation Orderin order to protect delicatemaerlbeds off south Arran, after fishermen breached a voluntary agreement not totrawlin the vicinity.[111]The sea surrounding the south of the island is now recognised as one of 31 ofMature Conservation Marine Protected Areasin Scotland. The designation is in place to the maerl beds, as well as other features including: burrowed muds;kelp,seaweedandseagrassbeds; andocean quahog.[112]

North Arran National Scenic Area

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Arran's Northern hills, viewed from the Ardrossan ferry, withGoat Fellthe tallest peak.

The northern part of the island is designated anational scenic area(NSA),[113]one of 40 such areas in Scotland which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure its protection by restricting certain forms of development.[114]The North Arran NSA covers 27,304hain total, consisting of 20,360 ha of land and a further 6,943 ha of the surrounding sea.[115]It covers all of the island north ofBrodickandMachrieBay, as well as the main group of hills surroundingGoat Fell.[113]

Notable residents

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See also

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References

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Notes
  1. ^Murchad MacSween is called "Margad" in the original Norwegian text.[49]According toHákonar saga Hákonarsonar,"In this expedition King Haco regained all those provinces which King Magnus Barefoot had acquired, and conquered from the Scotch and Hebrideans, as is here narrated."[50]
Footnotes
  1. ^Downie (1933) p. 38. Downie also offers "Hersey".
  2. ^Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004).The Scottish Islands.Edinburgh: Canongate. pp. 502-03. Modified to include bridged islands.ISBN978-1-84195-454-7.
  3. ^abArea and population ranks: there arec. 300islands over 20 ha in extent and93 permanently inhabited islandswere listed in the2011 census.
  4. ^abcNational Records of Scotland(15 August 2013)."Appendix 2: Population and households on Scotland's Inhabited Islands"(PDF).Statistical Bulletin: 2011 Census: First Results on Population and Household Estimates for Scotland Release 1C (Part Two)(PDF)(Report). SG/2013/126.Retrieved14 August2020.
  5. ^Haswell-Smith (2004) p.11.
  6. ^Infobox reference isHaswell-Smith, Hamish (2004).The Scottish Islands.Edinburgh: Canongate. pp. 11–17 unless otherwise stated.ISBN978-1-84195-454-7.
  7. ^"Isle of Arran".Ordnance Survey.Retrieved26 May2019.
  8. ^abHaswell-Smith (2004) pp. 11–17.
  9. ^"Housing crisis on Arran leaves hundreds of islanders without homes".The Guardian.22 April 2019.Retrieved19 August2021.
  10. ^Mac an Tàilleir, Iain (2003)Ainmean-àite/Placenames.(pdf)Pàrlamaid na h-Alba.Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  11. ^Mackenzie, William Cook (1931).Scottish Place-names.K. Paul, Trench, Trubner & Company. p. 124.
  12. ^Mac an Tàilleir, Iain."Gaelic Place Names (K-O)"(PDF).The Scottish Parliament.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 16 November 2018.Retrieved19 May2020.
  13. ^Downie (1933) pp. 38–39.
  14. ^Keay and Keay (1994) p. 42 refers to "the profile of the 'Sleeping Warrior' of Arran as seen from the Clyde Coast". Various websites claim the phrase refers to single hills, none of which individually resemble a reclining human figure.
  15. ^"Arran Page 1"Archived3 August 2012 atarchive.todayhughspicer.fsnet.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2009.
  16. ^Downie (1933) p. 2.
  17. ^Johnstoneet al.(1990) pp. 223–26.
  18. ^Haswell-Smith (1994) p. 13.
  19. ^abcGrid referenceNR988355
  20. ^"Scrol Browser"Archived4 July 2008 at theWayback MachineScotland's Census Results Online.Retrieved 8 March 2008.
  21. ^abcMcKirdyet al.(2007) pp. 297- 301.
  22. ^Chambers (2000) PhD Thesis
  23. ^King, Basil Charles (1 January 1954). "The Ard Bheinn Area of the Central Igneous Complex of Arran".Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society.110(1–4):323–355.doi:10.1144/GSL.JGS.1954.110.01-04.15.ISSN0370-291X.S2CID129891547.
  24. ^King (1955) pp. 326
  25. ^The implications of this small chalk outcrop are considerable. It suggests that like much of southern England, Scotland once had considerable deposits of this material that have been subsequently eroded away, although there is no clear-cut evidence of this. See McKirdyet al.(2007) p. 298.
  26. ^Hall (2001) p. 28
  27. ^Keith Montgomery (2003)."Siccar Point and Teaching the History of Geology"(PDF).Journal of Geoscience Education.51(5): 500.Bibcode:2003JGeEd..51..500M.doi:10.5408/1089-9995-51.5.500.S2CID21512583.Retrieved26 March2008.
  28. ^"Hutton's Unconformity – Lochranza, Isle of Arran, UK – Places of Geologic Significance on Waymarking".Waymarking.Retrieved20 October2008.The site was not sufficiently convincing for him to publish his find until the discovery of a second site nearJedburgh.
  29. ^Murray (1973) pp. 68–69.
  30. ^McKirdyet al.(2007) p. 28.
  31. ^Andrew Rogie."Geology of Arran".Retrieved9 November2008.
  32. ^Downie (1933) pp. 70–71.
  33. ^This cave is one of several associated with the legend ofRobert the Bruceand the spider. See McKirdyet al.(2007) p. 301.
  34. ^"1:50000 map of Arran".Streetmap.co.uk. Archived fromthe originalon 12 May 2014.Retrieved9 May2014.
  35. ^Downie (1933) p. 19 records that the Scriden rocks fell "it is said, some two hundred years ago, with a concussion that shook the earth and was heard in Bute and Argyllshire".
  36. ^ab"Vol 38 (2009): Gazetteer of Arran Pitchstone Sources: presentation of exposed pitchstone dykes and sills across the Isle of Arran, and discussion of the archaeological relevance of these outcrops | Scottish Archaeological Internet Reports".journals.socantscot.org.Retrieved17 August2021.
  37. ^ab"Regional mapped climate averages"Met Office. Retrieved 4 September 2009.
  38. ^Noble (2006) pp. 104–08.
  39. ^"Machrie Moor Stone Circles".Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  40. ^abBallin, Torben Bjarke (2015)."Arran pitchstone (Scottish volcanic glass): New dating evidence".Journal of Lithic Studies.2(1):5–16.doi:10.2218/jls.v2i1.1166.hdl:10454/9048.
  41. ^Downie (1933) pp. 29–30.
  42. ^"Torr a' Chaisteal Dun".Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  43. ^"Airborne laser scan reveals Arran's 1,000 ancient sites".BBC News. 10 October 2019.
  44. ^"Vast neolithic monument found on Isle of Arran".The Times.7 September 2023.
  45. ^Downie (1933) pp. 34–35.
  46. ^Downie (1933) pp. 35–37.
  47. ^Beare (1996) p. 26.
  48. ^Murray (1973) p. 167–71.
  49. ^W. D. H. Sellar, (October 1966)"The Origins and Ancestry of Somerled".The Scottish Historical Review/JSTOR.45No. 140, Part 2 pp. 131–32. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  50. ^abJohnstone, Rev. James (1882)The Norwegian Account of Haco's Expedition Against Scotland; A.D. MCCLXIII.Chapter 20. William Brown, Edinburgh/Project Gutenberg. Originally printed 1782. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  51. ^Downie (1933) pp. 38–40.
  52. ^"King's Cave: The cave at Drummadoon".showcaves. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  53. ^Downie (1933) pp.42–43. He states that the 1406 attack led by theEarl of Lennox"utterly destroyed" the structure.
  54. ^Coventry (2008) pp. 53, 255 and 551.
  55. ^Taylor (1887) vol. 2, p. 3.
  56. ^Quoted by Haswell Smith (2004) p. 12.
  57. ^Mackillop, Dugald"The History of the Highland Clearances: Buteshire – Arran"electricscotland. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  58. ^"Lagantuine – Isle of Arran, Ayrshire UK"waymarking. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  59. ^Jack, Ian (29 March 2013)."It's a century since Arran was last in the news; then it was even more dramatic | Ian Jack".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved28 September2019.
  60. ^"Visits to Crash Sites in Scotland".Peak District Air Accident Research. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  61. ^Haswell Smith (2004) p. 11.
  62. ^General Register Office for Scotland (28 November 2003)Scotland's Census 2001 – Occasional Paper No 10: Statistics for Inhabited Islands.Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  63. ^"Scotland's 2011 census: Island living on the rise".BBC News. Retrieved 18 August 2013.
  64. ^Downie (1933), p. 1, confirms this status at the publication date.
  65. ^"District: Cunninghame"Archived6 September 2012 at theWayback Machine.ScotlandsPlaces. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  66. ^"Council elections 2022: Tories take 32% of vote in Arran".Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.6 May 2022.Retrieved16 March2024.
  67. ^"Land Register Counties: Operational Dates and Alphabetical List of Places in Scotland"(PDF).Registers of Scotland. 2015. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 14 May 2018.Retrieved14 May2018.
  68. ^"2007 Election Results Analysis: Table 18"(pdf) scottish.parliament.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
  69. ^"Arran Medical Group".Arran Medical.Retrieved12 July2015.
  70. ^"More about Arran".Caledonian MacBrayne.Retrieved18 February2020.
  71. ^"Long-delayed Ferguson ferry Glen Sannox begins sea trials".BBC News.Retrieved18 March2024.
  72. ^"Arran coast road reclassified"Arran Coast Road. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  73. ^Downie (1933) p. 5.
  74. ^"Arran Bus Timetable 2009"(pdf) Stagecoach. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  75. ^"New five-year contract for Arran bus services awarded".pocketmags.Retrieved21 June2022.
  76. ^"Arran Visitor Guide".Visit Scotland.Retrieved7 August2018.
  77. ^"Scotland's Great Trails".Scottish Natural Heritage & Rucksack Readers.Retrieved7 August2018.
  78. ^"Goat Fell".Walk Highlands.Retrieved7 August2018.
  79. ^"The Route".Arran Coastal Way. 4 August 2014.Retrieved7 August2018.
  80. ^"Arran Coastal Way recognised as one of 'Scotland's Great Trails'".Arran Coastal Way. 20 June 2017.Retrieved7 August2018.
  81. ^"Auchrannie Resort on the Isle of Arran"auchrannie.co.uk. Retrieved 1 March 2008
  82. ^"A wee history".Shiskine Golf and Tennis Club. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  83. ^"Where are Scotland's best nudist beaches?"Archived29 January 2018 at theWayback Machine(26 July 2016)Daily Record.Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  84. ^Ross, John (27 February 2008)."Fish-farm plan sparks fears for marine reserve".The Scotsman.Edinburgh.Retrieved22 February2009.
  85. ^"Sun sets on fishing in island bay".BBC News. 21 September 2008.Retrieved25 September2008.
  86. ^Pearce, Daniel (9 May 2008)."Arran Brewery Company goes into administration".The Publican.Archived fromthe originalon 24 July 2011.Retrieved22 May2008.
  87. ^"Arran Brewery admits strategy mistake as profits fall".HeraldScotland.6 January 2018.Retrieved12 January2018.
  88. ^"Arran Energy".Retrieved27 March2019.
  89. ^"Banner goes from strength to strength."(13 April 2007) arranbanner.co.uk. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
  90. ^"Voice for Arran"voiceforarran. Retrieved 9 July 2010.
  91. ^"Monopoly – Isle of Arran Edition"Archived9 May 2013 at theWayback Machinearranmonopoly Retrieved 15 April 2010.
  92. ^Morris, Johnny (17 March 2006)."Grail Trail".The Daily Telegraph.Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2022.Retrieved3 August2007.
  93. ^Tate."'Crucifixion 9', Craigie Aitchison, 1987 ".Tate.Retrieved5 November2020.
  94. ^"King, Jessie Marion – Glasgow School of Art: Archives & Collections".gsaarchives.net.Archived fromthe originalon 6 March 2021.Retrieved5 November2020.
  95. ^"Arran by Samuel JohnPeploe".artnet.Retrieved5 November2020.
  96. ^Porter, Jane (1921).The Scottish Chiefs.New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. pp.162–164.ISBN9780684193403.
  97. ^"Michael Peinkofer Bibliographie".michael-peinkofer.de.Retrieved5 June2024.
  98. ^"Arran Wildlife".arranwildlife.co.uk. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  99. ^Johnston, Ian (15 June 2007)."Trees on Arran 'are a whole new species'".The Scotsman.Edinburgh. Archived fromthe originalon 4 January 2013.Retrieved18 June2007.
  100. ^Donald Rodger, John Stokes & James Ogilve (2006).Heritage Trees of Scotland.The tree Council. p. 58.ISBN978-0-904853-03-2.
  101. ^"Arran Northern Mountains SSSI: Site Management Statement".NatureScot.Retrieved11 September2020.
  102. ^Eric Bignal (1980). "The endemic whitebeams of North Arran".The Glasgow Naturalist.20(1):60–64.
  103. ^"Birding on Arran".Arran Birding.Archived fromthe originalon 28 December 2018.Retrieved16 March2019.
  104. ^"Iconic Birds at Risk".Sunday Herald.Glasgow. 1 February 2009.Available asPtarmigan disappearing from southern Scotland
  105. ^Downie (1933) p. 132 includes the ptarmigan in a list of birds no longer extant on the island at that time including thered kite,hobby,white-tailed sea eagle,hen harrierandcapercaillie.
  106. ^"Ptarmigan".Arran Birding.Archived fromthe originalon 12 June 2016.Retrieved16 March2019.
  107. ^"A6.102a Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (breeding)"(pdf) JNCC. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
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  109. ^"UK MPAs"Archived8 October 2018 at theWayback MachineUK MPA Centre. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
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  112. ^"South Arran NCMPA".NatureScot. Archived fromthe originalon 15 August 2020.Retrieved11 September2020.
  113. ^ab"North Arran National Scenic Area".NatureScot.Retrieved11 September2020.
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General references
  • Beare, Beryl (1996)Scotland. Myths & Legends.Avonmouth. Parragon.ISBN0-7525-1694-9
  • Coventry, Martin (2008)Castles of the Clans.Musselburgh. Goblinshead.ISBN978-1-899874-36-1
  • Downie, R. Angus (1933)All About Arran.Glasgow. Blackie and Son.
  • Hall, Ken (2001)The Isle of Arran.Catrine. Stenlake Publishing.ISBN978-1-84033-135-6
  • Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004)The Scottish Islands.Edinburgh. Canongate.ISBN1-84195-454-3
  • Holmer, N. (1957)The Gaelic of Arran.Dublin. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.ISBN978-0-901282-44-6
  • Johnstone, Scott; Brown, Hamish; and Bennet, Donald (1990)The Corbetts and Other Scottish Hills.Edinburgh. Scottish Mountaineering Trust.ISBN0-907521-29-0
  • Keay, J., and Keay, J. (1994)Collins Encyclopaedia of Scotland.London. HarperCollins.ISBN0-00-255082-2
  • McKirdy, Alan Gordon, John & Crofts, Roger (2007)Land of Mountain and Flood: The Geology and Landforms of Scotland.Edinburgh. Birlinn.ISBN978-1-84158-357-0
  • Murray, W.H.(1973)The Islands of Western Scotland.London. Eyre Methuen. SBN 413303802
  • Noble, Gordon (2006)Neolithic Scotland: Timber, Stone, Earth and Fire.Edinburgh University Press.ISBN0-7486-2338-8
  • Ó Dochartaigh, C. (1997)Survey of the Gaelic Dialects of Scotland.Dublin. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.
  • Taylor, J.(1887)Great Historic Families of Scotland vol 2.London. J.S. Virtue & Co.
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