Arran – the castles
With a couple of friends we rented an apartment in Arran over the May Day Bank Holiday. It was a long time since we’d been and it was their first visit – it was definitely a success, but, as with our earlier weekend in Galloway, the weather was a bit iffy. Still, we got out and about and there was plenty to see.
It was a disappointment to find that Brodick Castle is closed this year, presumably for maintenance. However, the gardens were open and we spent a whole morning wandering about.
Later that day, we went to Lochranza Castle, a 13th century ruin which can be visited free of charge. What a beautiful setting!
The following day, we had lunch at the Kildonan Hotel and took a short walk afterwards to see Kildonan Castle. This is also 13th century, though there’s much less of it left and it’s not accessible – it’s actually in someone’s garden! The modern standing stones at the hotel were interesting too.
Next time: the walks.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
How lovely, Anabel. I think I could be quite happy living in Brodick Castle. 🙂
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He he, couldn’t we all? With an army of servants of course…….
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The gardens at Brodick Castle are beautiful, and you’re right, the setting for Lochranza Castle is fabulous. Your photos are so atmospheric. What are those yellow bushes there? They really add to the beauty of the place. 🙂
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Thanks Cathy! It’s gorse – blooms just about everywhere here giving lovely splashes of colour.
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Thanks for telling me about the gorse. I love it!
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The great thing is that there are several types which bloom at different times, so there’s nearly always something flowering.
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Someday, I’ll see the blooming gorse in person! 🙂
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Another place I haven’t been. My son takes his children they love it.
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You should definitely go – it’s beautiful!
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I’m envious. I love castles. My favourite here in Lochranza Castle 🙂
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Mine too, but they are all beautiful.
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You are one of the first blogs I read after changing over from Blogger and wiping out my old blog, and still my fave. I am passing this along to you (don’t know if you are interested) but I am doing the pass the nominating to a fave. I have nominated you for the VB Award. You deserve many awards 🙂 https://365daysblog.com/
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Thank you for all those kind words! *Blushes* I’m ambivalent about awards and challenges – my feeling at the moment is that I have a pile-up of posts waiting to be written so wouldn’t have the time. However, I appreciate very much that you picked me!
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I understand. No guilt from me 🙂
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Beautiful photos. Looking forward to reading more of your blog 🙂
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Thank you for visiting and reading!
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So beautiful, seeing all the photos I was thinking about the people who lived in them 🙂
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Thank you! I think they would have been rather cold to live in….
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Stunning locations Anabel – the 13th century ruins of Lochranza are especially picturesque 🙂
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Aren’t they?! Even though it was quite cold we lingered for a long time just drinking in the scenery.
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Three great locations there. Arran is a cracking island for places to visit.
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I know, fabulous!
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I actually think I like the Bavarian summerhouse best of all! It looks like a good place for a witch to live and make tinctures and tisanes from the herbs in the garden…I think every castle could use a resident witch!
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Yes, it does look like a witch’s house! Unfortunately, the path around it was closed so we couldn’t get inside to check if there were any witches living there.
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Wonderful . . . . .no wonder MrB & I keep thinking we might move to the glorious Scotland. Love Lochranza Castle in particular.
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Sounds like a great plan!
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Watch this space . . . . . . . .
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Great photos! You are so lucky to live in an area where there are old castles!
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Thanks, I know! So much history in them.
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There are so many places I didn’t get to visit when we lived in Scotland, but the one that really disappoints me the most is Arran. Probably because my hubby visited a few times, but I never got to go 🙂
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That’s a shame! It’s so lovely.
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I love castles and your photos remind me of that! Lochranza especially. It is such a gorgeous setting.
Peta
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It is – even in dull weather it’s so atmospheric.
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Some great photos of the gardens….love that artistic bench. It would be so great to see these old castle ruins and just walk around them…like you just did!
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Thanks, I love exploring old castles, the older the better!
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Lovely photos! I’m envious of your walks… mine usually don’t include castles 😀.
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Thanks! We are not short of castles as you’ve noticed!
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Never been to Arran – but would go just to see those castles! I’ve heard of Lochranza – but mainly because he was a racehorse in the 1960s or 70s 🙂
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Ha ha – I haven’t heard of the horse!
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Fancy having a castle ruin in your back garden! It’s a shame they don’t share it. I like the idea of blethering on a bench. What a nice way to spend some time with a friend.
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Yes, you really had to squint round the fence to see it properly.
I thought of calling that photo Two old biddies blethering on a bench, but thought my friend might be offended! If you’re reading this, Val, I don’t mean it 😉
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Poor Val. 🙂
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It is nice to see a wee bit of Arran. I had some great times visiting the island in my younger days.
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It’s a great wee island, we don’t go often enough. Glad to have prompted some memories!
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Great photos, Anabel (and John). The settings are stunning! I look forward to reading about the walks!
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Thank you – in this case, I think it’s all John!
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Many years ago we spent a week on Arran, with mixed weather, I seem to remember, Anabel, but a beautiful island. We managed the gardens but not the house at Brodick too. 🙂 🙂
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Mixed weather is almost a given! It is a beautiful island, Scotland in miniature as it’s often described.
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Too bad the castle was closed – but the gardens still look like they were well worth the visit!
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They were! I prefer them, to be honest – I like my castles old and crumbly.
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Hi Anabel – sounds like a lovely weekend … despite the weather. I wonder what those sculptures are – I’d love to know more about them. The gardens look amazing – and the scenery in Arran must be so beautiful, if brooding at times … cheers Hilary
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No further info on the sculptures, I’m afraid. Arran is beautiful – in all weathers but, as with everywhere else, I prefer a little sun!
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English castles, Scottish castles, Welsh castles: I love them all! Thanks for taking me around, Anabel, and have a great week,
Pit
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Thanks, Pit, you too!
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Goodness, it’s been so long since I was in Arran. I doubt if I would recognise anything after all this time. Our minister came from Arran – the Revd. James Currie of Drumadoon. The photographs were excellent and the gardens looked lovely.
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Thank you – actually, most things have not changed that much!
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Looks lovely, looking forward to the walks now 🙂
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Thank you! Walks next Monday.
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The grey granite echoes the grey skies beautifully, but I must admit I was relieved to get to the two bottom pictures and see some blue! I’m a pampered southerner, of course, more used to blue than grey. Love the castles – and the greyness – so pleased to learn about them.
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The photos were taken over two days – one dull, one bright. (Oops, answered two comments at once to start with, now corrected. Doh!)
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Hi Anabel,
Nice images of the castles and gardens. What prompted the stone sculptures at the Kildonan Hotel? They look as if they’re in a very particular layout. Was there a reason for that?
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I actually don’t know! There was nothing to explain it and we looked at them after we’d left the hotel, so if there was anything inside we missed it.
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