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Arran

Arran photos (6 available)

Old photo of Arran

Arran maps (1 available)

Old map of Scotland

Arran books (5 available)

Arran memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in Ayrshire below.

Ayrshire memories

The long walk to hire a trike

Millport to me was, as I'm sure it was to most who have visited over the years a place where cars were few and pedal power ruled. All my memories of Millport as a child involved a long walk over the hill from the ferry, then to one of the bike hire shops to pick up my transportation for the day. Even though I was quite capable of riding a bicycle I often hired a trike as they were big and stable and a bit of a treat. Millport was the only place that had bikes of all shapes and sizes. Trikes were for kids who could not ride a bike but on Millport, mainland rules didn't apply. I have fond ...read more here
A memory of Millport contributed by Ronald Andrews

Old Port Bannatyne

Port Bannatyne, 1904

This is a favourite view of photographers taken from McIntyre's Boatyard. In the distance you can see St Bruoc's church which burnt down in 1956. In the foreground is a boat hiring station, one of three in the village. This one did not last into the 50's but the other two did. The next one along was McMillan's and there is another one on the far side of the stone pier run by Harry Stewart and Arthur Robertson well into the late 60's. In this era the bay was a well known visiting point for yacht crews, sadly today this has changed but the advent of a new Marina on the site of McIntyre's Boatyard may change all that.
A memory of Port Bannatyne contributed by John Stewart

Seafront Zoo

I have vague memories of a zoo on the water front at Largs. It definitely had a monkey that got loose inside the small building on occasions and would steal your scarf.  There may also have been various birds. Can anyone refresh or debunk this memory? Any details would be welcome.
A memory of Largs contributed by Alex Mackenzie

Childhood Memories

We moved into Tighnabruaich when I was almost 8 yrs old. Our 1st house was on the Ardmarnock Est between Millhouse and Otter Ferry. We stayed there for around a year before moving into Corra Farm on the Ardlamont Est near Ardlamont House.
I used to go to Tigh. Primary School before moving onto Dunoon Grammar School.
I remember Pamela Briggs, Val, Karen + Sidney Moebeck, The Dillons Neil and Tom. Angela Whyte. Frank + Pamela Coutts who lived along the road from me. As did the McCrae brothers  Donald + Iain just to name a few. I enjoyed the country life the peace and quiet without all the hustle and bustle of city life.
I've been back quite a ...read more here
A memory of Tighnabruaich contributed by Tim Hosey

Extracts From Arran & Ayrshire books

Arran, the Castle and Loch Ranza c1890

Lochranza, on the island of Arran, dates from the late 13th to the mid 14th century with 16th-century additions. It has an added jamb, or wing, which was built on to increase the castle’s defence capability. The square tower projects to cover the entrance, and is equipped with long arrow slits. The original entrance was barrel-vaulted.
An extract from from"50 Classics - Castles".

Arran, the Castle and Loch Ranza c1890

This view was photographed near the northern tip of the island. A ruined 14th-century double-towered castle stands guard over Loch Ranza. It was here that Robert Bruce is said to have landed on his return from Ireland in 1306.
An extract from from"Scotland Photographic Memories".

Arran, the Castle and Loch Ranza c1890

Lochranza dates from the late 13th century to mid 14th century with 16th-century additions, and features one of the earliest examples of an added jamb or wing which was built on to increase the castle’s defence capability. The square tower projects to cover the entrance, and is equipped with long arrow slits of an early design. The original entrance was of the heavily ribbed barrel-vaulted type.
An extract from from"Scottish Castles".

Arran, Brodick Castle and the Bay 1890

Now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, Brodick Castle, once the seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, dates from the 14th century. It was from here in 1307 that the Bruce launched his campaign to liberate mainland Scotland from the English. Brodick was enlarged when garrisoned by Cromwell’s troops, and the tower is a mid 19th-century addition.
An extract from from"Scotland".

Arran, Brodick Castle and the Bay 1890

Now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, Brodick Castle, once the seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, dates from the 14th century. It was from here in 1307 that the Bruce launched his campaign to liberate mainland Scotland from the English. Brodick was enlarged when garrisoned by Cromwell’s troops, and the tower is a mid 19th-century addition.
An extract from from"Scottish Castles".