Kate’s guidebook
Sightseeing
This National Trust property is a great day out for everyone. The location are gardens are beautiful, as is the castle itself. There is a a really great adventure playground which will entertain children of all ages. There are a couple of different cafe options and loads of picnic benches if you choose to take a picnic. Great opportunities to see red squirrels. Dogs allowed in the gardens on a lead.
27 Einheimische empfehlen
Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park
This National Trust property is a great day out for everyone. The location are gardens are beautiful, as is the castle itself. There is a a really great adventure playground which will entertain children of all ages. There are a couple of different cafe options and loads of picnic benches if you choose to take a picnic. Great opportunities to see red squirrels. Dogs allowed in the gardens on a lead.
This is your local village which is a 5 minute drive down the road. There is a really beautiful beach here as well as a few great places to eat, a couple well stocked shops, a butchers, a great bakery and a golf course. Arran is full of beautiful places to see and great things to do but we really do love this little corner of it.
Blackwaterfoot
This is your local village which is a 5 minute drive down the road. There is a really beautiful beach here as well as a few great places to eat, a couple well stocked shops, a butchers, a great bakery and a golf course. Arran is full of beautiful places to see and great things to do but we really do love this little corner of it.
Things to do
These local stables offer trekking/ riding trips for all ages and ranges of experiences. Our kids started with a 10 minute taster session and worked up to an hour’s trek on the beach - and loved both. The stables and horses are all immaculately kept and safety appears paramount.
Cairnhouse Stables
These local stables offer trekking/ riding trips for all ages and ranges of experiences. Our kids started with a 10 minute taster session and worked up to an hour’s trek on the beach - and loved both. The stables and horses are all immaculately kept and safety appears paramount.
This is a good outing with kids. There is a lovely cafe and a substantial outdoor play area (£2.50 per child) with outdoor games and toys. It’s all outside but is still fun on a rainy day. There is a lovely shop with knits/ clothing and some homewards. It’s along the coast and has great views over the sea.
The Old Byre Visitor Centre
Auchencar DriveThis is a good outing with kids. There is a lovely cafe and a substantial outdoor play area (£2.50 per child) with outdoor games and toys. It’s all outside but is still fun on a rainy day. There is a lovely shop with knits/ clothing and some homewards. It’s along the coast and has great views over the sea.
Food scene
This deli/ cafe serves great local fish and seafood. At the moment (summer 2021) they are operating a pre-ordering system which we have found to work very well. You check their instagram page in the morning for the menu and order online selecting your time slot for pick up. There are some benches outside where you can sit but you can also take your food across the road to the pier and have a fantastic picnic. The food is delicious - a great menu full of bright flavours and quality fish.
8 Einheimische empfehlen
Mara fish bar & deli
Shore roadThis deli/ cafe serves great local fish and seafood. At the moment (summer 2021) they are operating a pre-ordering system which we have found to work very well. You check their instagram page in the morning for the menu and order online selecting your time slot for pick up. There are some benches outside where you can sit but you can also take your food across the road to the pier and have a fantastic picnic. The food is delicious - a great menu full of bright flavours and quality fish.
This is a lovely hotel which serves good food inside and outside. Booking is certainly essential for inside dining. It has a good kids menu which is reasonably priced. The staff are lovely and we have always found service prompt. This is not fancy fare but it’s a reliable local place and the views from the restaurant and outside dining ares are really beautiful.
6 Einheimische empfehlen
Best Western Kinloch Hotel
This is a lovely hotel which serves good food inside and outside. Booking is certainly essential for inside dining. It has a good kids menu which is reasonably priced. The staff are lovely and we have always found service prompt. This is not fancy fare but it’s a reliable local place and the views from the restaurant and outside dining ares are really beautiful.
This is the clubhouse of Shiskine Golf club although it is open to members of the public too. It has a good lunch menu with great sandwiches/ toasties and the like. The service is fast and very pleasant and it has really beautiful views across Blackwaterfoot beach.
Clubhouse Grill & Tee Room
This is the clubhouse of Shiskine Golf club although it is open to members of the public too. It has a good lunch menu with great sandwiches/ toasties and the like. The service is fast and very pleasant and it has really beautiful views across Blackwaterfoot beach.