Isle of Arran is the seventh largest Scottish island. It is described by many as 'Scotland in Miniature', as it offers the best of the mainland compressed into an island 20 miles long and 10 miles wide. Stunning landscapes, pretty villages, ancient castles, prehistoric standing stones and great food and drink, it has it all! It's also just under 4h drive and a ferry hop away from Manchester, so it really would be rude not to visit.
The plan is to catch an evening ferry on Fri and spend two days onthe island walking and sightseeing, coming back to Manchester Sun evening.
This all inclusive walking weekend has it all that Scotland has to offer - amazing views, great walking, castles, standing stones, good beer, great whisky and gorgeous food. If you'd like to see what Scotland is al about, come join us, you won't regret it!
Hurry and book as with limited spaces and at a mere £89 its sure to go fast!
The plan
Friday
We will car share from Manchester to the Adrossan harbour meeting there at 5pm and catching an evening ferry accross at 6pm, arriving at Lochranza YHA to leave our backs and head to a pub where we will unwind over a dinner and a pint of the excellend local beer.
Saturday
After a full English breakfast at the accommodation we will climb Goat Fell (2,866 ft), the highest mountain on Arran, ascending via the beautiful Glenrosa Valley and descending down to the Brodick Castle (9 miles, 4.5-5h, difficulty 3.5 (one easy scramble)). We will then drive back to Lochranza and our YHA conveniently located near the Island's excellent whisky distillery as well as an amazing restaurant where we will go for our well deserved dinner and a dram or two.
Sunday
After a lazy Sunday breakfast and papers, we will nip accross to the Arran distillery for a tour and a bit of whisky tasting. We will then grab a quick lunch and drive 20min to see the Machrie Moor amazing standing stones (2 mile walk, 1h, difficulty 1) before heading back to Brodick and a ferry home.
Kit list: walking boots, walking trousers, fleece, waterproofs, hat, gloves, sunglasses, sun cream, day pack, water bottle, tea flask, personal first aid kit.
What's included: accommodation at the YHA, the professional mountain guide and a great time!
Book a place and recharge your batteries during a relaxing and revitalising short break. Just 30 minutes a day of walking will improve your health and wellbeing. By becoming more active you will have a great sense of achievement, more energy, sleep better and reduce your stress levels.
I enjoy organised walks as part of group but either my mates are just not into it or the ones that are can’t commit to any dates, so having Social Circle organise it all means I can just do it and have some fun in the process meeting some new people. Louise Timperly