So gutted for all our guests that didn't get here yesterday as the ardrossan and Troon ferries were off. However they could have got here via the Claonaig -Lochranza boat and been here enjoying the autumn sunshine today!!
Here's a few facts about our fave wee ferry:
🚢 You don't need to book! Just turn up and go, you can buy tickets online or or the boat itself. And it's cheaper!
🚢 The drive to Glasgow is 2 hrs longer than going to ardrossan but the crossing is 30mins faster and you dont need to check in 30 min before the sailing.
🚢theres a full timetable until 20th October then the winter timetable starts.
☕ Stop and smell the coffee 😁 loads of great cafes to stop in around Inverary, Lochgoilhead and Tarbert.
So why not take the scenic route and make it part of your holiday?
#calmac #isleofarran #visitarran #visitscotland @visitarran #seefeelbearran
🪨One of the 'Must See' spots on the Isle of Arran is Machrie Moor standing stones and it's on our doorstep!
🪨There are 6 circles, of varying sizes, along the track
🪨It's only 1 mile from the car park on a pretty flat track making it ideal for a sunrise or sunset stroll which is one of my 'tip tips' for the best times to go. The lighting is so much more atmospheric and you'll often be the only ones there.
🪨The track is good but does go through open moorland with sheep roaming so might not be ideal for some dogs and they will need to be on leads.
🪨Wear walking boots or shoes you don't mind getting a bit muddy as there can be some big puddles on the track if it's been wet!
#isleofarran #visitarran @visitarran #scottishholiday #hamiltoncottagesarran #scotlandexplore #scotland #historicscotland #standingstones #visitscotland #seefeelbearran
This is a great 10k trail loop for walking, running in or mountain biking that goes right from our doorstep or you can park at the bottom of Shedog forest, just above where the wee graveyard is and go from there.
There's about 300m climbing in total and it can be done in either direction, I just like to do the river crossing at the end in case I end up with wet feet 👟💦 And I find it's easier to run up the forestry road as it's a bit more mellow. 😁
There is some forestry work going on at the bottom of Shedog forest just now so just be aware of any vehicles. They're pretty big so it's hard to miss them 🤣🪵
I know we have lots of active outdoorsy families that stay with over the summer holidays so if that's you and you've managed to negotiate an hour or two 'off duty' to get a run in, this is a perfect route!!!
#isleofarran @visitarran #visitarran #trailrunningscotland
#trailrunning #scotland #scotlandexplored
Wether you're visiting Arran on holiday or live here I fully recommend you pop on down to one of Arran Eco Savvy's 'Eco Cafes' to refill your cupboards!!
I know lots of people are really interested in reducing their plastic waste and food waste so if you're on holiday and have a load of sandwich bags from your travels, and you just need a little bit of rice or pasta etc for the week go fill them up with just what you need!
Ànd if you have, like me, become obsessed with UPF's, sourdough, and gut health (I feel like these are THE words of 2024 🤣🤣, thanks to Dr Chris Van Tulleken's book Ultra Processed People) and your kitchen has turned into a bubbling laboratory of starter cultures you can feed your habit with heritage white flour and spelt flour which makes fabulous loaves 😋🍞
#IsleofArran @visitarran #upf #plasticfreescotland #guthealth #familyholidays #scotland #bringyourownbag #nutrition #sourdough @arranecosavvy #healthyholidays #reduceplasticwaste
🌴Jungle Boogie🌴
As we know, kids tell it as it is and the Plant Hunter's Trail at Brodick Castle gets their seal of approval for being like a 'real jungle'!
I usually try to persuade them to do at least a bit of a walk before we head to the adventure play park and our favourite bits to explore are the walled garden, the pond, the Bavarian summer house and the Plant Hunters Trail.
If you're travelling to Arran with kids this summer I'd definitely recommend a visit here. If you choose a good weather day you can easily spend a full day exploring the whole park and of course the castle itself.
They also have special events throughout the year so have a look at their social pages and website to see what's on.
#IsleofArran @visitarran @brodickcastle #brodickcastle #thingstodoonarranwithkids #scotlandinminiature #daysoutwithkids #nts #nationaltrustforscotland #explorearran
Come for a tour around Ashdale Cottage with me!
Ashdale is our most spacious cottage. Inside you'll find:
🛋️ Large living and dining area with smart TV
🛌 3 Bedrooms inc. king size master ensuite
🍳 Large well appointed kitchen
🚽 Downstairs toilet + upstairs family bathroom
🐿️ Large glass doors open directly on to garden where red squirrels like to play!
To check our availability, pricing and booking your stay just visit our website.
We hope to see you soon!
#IsleofArran @visitarran #scotlandinminiature #visitscotland #holidaycottagesuk
🌲 Bringing the outside in🐏
I wanted this room to feel like an extension of what's right outside Hamilton Cottages and it really does! The trees, the sheep and the colours all totally mimic the view through the window.
If any room sums up our brand it's this one! We really want our interiors to reflect the essence of Arran so our guests can feel truly immersed in 'Island Time' from the moment they arrive.
What do you think? Would you sleep well in this room?
Fx
#IsleofArran #seefeelbearran @visitarran #visitarran
#selfcatering #ArranAdventures
#cottagesonarran #hamiltoncottagesarran #islandholidaycottages
#IslandAdventure #selfcateringscotland
It was wild and bleak up Shedog Forest today (the forest just behind Hamilton Cottages), but that's not always a bad thing, I quite like the feeling of battling the elements!
I was on the e-bike but the wind was so strong I was nearly going backwards, even in turbo mode 🤣💨
#IsleofArran #visitarran #wildscotland #familyactivities
#familyholidayuk #outdoorfamily #holidayscotland
🚢Sailing into the fog bank in Brodick Bay on Sunday 🌫️
What you can't hear in this is the captain sounding the fog horn and me nearly falling overboard with the shock 🤣📣 fairly sure they were just waiting on the bridge for someone to walk by on the deck below then watching people's reactions as the fog horn went off!!!
@visitarran #scotland #IsleofArran #scotlandinsta #scotlandinminiature #winterwonderisland #winterbreak
#goatfell #MistyMountainMagic #IslandAdventure #HikingInFog #NaturePhotography #ScotlandWeather #IsleOfArranMagic #ScenicScotland #MountainMoments #FoggyScapes #PeakPursuits #OutdoorExplorer #WildernessWonders #ScotlandHiking #IslandMist #MajesticMountains #AdventureAwaits #IslandLife #ExploreOutdoors #FoggyTrails
Yeyyyy! My favourite Christmas event....The Shiskine Valley Christmas Tractor run!
Every year it gets bigger and better. I think most of the tractors on the island must have been there this year.
The tractors all looked brilliant, what a great effort everyone had made!
Merry Christmas to everyone from all of us at Hamilton Cottages and hopefully we'll see lots of you in 2024!
#IsleofArran
#visitarran
Well it might be the shortest darkest day of the year but the cottages are looking fabulous, festive and cosy all ready for guests arriving in the next few days ❤️🌲
Do you like to stay at home for Christmas or make a holiday out of it?
I've always been at home or at family homes over Christmas except for a few years in Australia where we bbq'd our Christmas dinner on the beach (had to be done!) and a few where I was working ski seasons in the Chamonix which were amazing as there was always such a fantastic atmosphere everywhere.
#isleofarran #visitarran @visitarran #visitscotland #scottishchristmas #winterwonderisland #seefeelbearran #wintersolstice
Because who doesn't like a wee nosey round a house 🤔😁
#selfcateringaccommodation #selfcateringscotland #islandholidaycottages #isleofarran #visitarran #ayrshireandarran #holidaysuk #scottishholiday #scotlandexplore #scotlandselfcatering #scotlandairbnb #airbnbscotland #holidayscotland
