As a child I got so excited when my parents announced they were taking my sisters and I for a day drip to the local beach. Excitedly we would grab our buckets and spades and head off to the shore front. While my sisters played happily in the sand and my parents basked in the sun, I would be sitting dangling my feet off the pier staring across the water totally mesmerized by the beauty of this wonderful Island my grandmother often referred to as The Sleeping Warrior. (This was the local name for Arran, due to the formation of its mountains, from the coast it looked like an Egyptian warrior lying on his back) I would sit there day dreaming, thinking that I could never visit Arran as it seemed millions of miles away and I would conjure up images in my head of princess's who lived there in huge castles, handsome princes slaying the islands dragons and wicked witches lurking in the woods! At night I'd dream of having exciting adventures on this mysterious mountainous land.

In adulthood I would still look at her beauty from the beach and think one day I will go there, as I knew then it certainly wasnt a million miles away, however, never seemed to find the time to go, there was always something that stopped me, be it work or having a family of my own. It wasn't until my late 30's that i finally got on that ferry to visit The Magical island of Arran.

Brodick is Arran's largest village. This was my first port of call after disembarking the ferry and is where I found the Island's best services. Brodick has shops, pubs, cafes and hotels, castle and country park. If your wondering what Arran has to offer then pop into the little tourist information centre. I spent a few days here in Brodick writing a review for holiday cottages and fell in love with the place. The views out over Brodick Bay are truly breathtaking.

Brodick Castle and Gardens are nestled in the hillside at the foot of Goatfell on the north of the village, over looking the magnificent bay. Standing at over 870 meters Goatfell is Arran's highest peak. The country park boasts a splendid array of wild life ponds, waterfalls and gorges. This is a must for all the family.

Lamlash lies 3 miles south of Brodick and is the islands second largest village. The Holy Isle lies just of the coast of this pretty little village. The Holy Isle is owned by Buddhists monks and can be reached easily in a small ferry.

The Island is big enough to offer a wide variety of things to do yet small enough to retain the Island atmosphere. Whether it be having a game of golf on one of Arran's 7 golf courses or simply walking round the Island, I'm sure you will find something to suit your needs. Have a look below to find a more indepth look at what there is to do on Arran.

GOLF

As I mentioned above there are 7 golf courses on Arran, I don't profess to know much about Golf, however you couldn't choose a more scenic place to get a round in. You can purchase an Arran Golfing Pass which entitles you to one round on each of the Islands courses. Please click on the link below to find out lots more about these courses and their fees.

WALKING

If you love walking then Arran is the place for you! You will be spoiled for choice. You could embark on the journey around the coastline or for the more adventurous try the mountainous terrain on the north of the Island, or maybe join the trail for Goatfell ( Arran's highest peak ) at Cladach. This walk wont take you any more that 5 hours if your reasonably fit and I'm sure the views from the summit will be well worth the climb.

WHISKY DISTILLERY

For those who enjoy ''a wee nippy sweetie'' then the Whisky Distillery at Lochranza will have you salivating. Its the birthplace of the award winning Arran Single Malt Whisky. In the visitors center you will enjoy a fully guided tour and learn how this famous national tipple is made. You can also take home a bottle that you have poured yourself and written the label for ! The well stocked shop offers beautiful and unique reminders of your time here.

ARRAN POWER & SAIL

Why don't you test your sea legs and see Arran in all its glory from the Clyde estuary by hiring a high speed power boat, though this isn't for the faint hearted as you can experience more bounce than you bargained for if the weather changes.

QUAD BIKING

Arran Quad Centre pride themselves on safety and their treks suit all abilities. You can now trek over fantastic landscape previously not available to the public.

ARRAN AROMATICS

How about creating your own bar of soap at Arran Aromatics? The company produce 250 items across 6 ranges including oils, gels and lotions. Pop in and see what body care products you can pick up!

MACHRIE MOOR STONE CIRCLES

Located on the west of the Island you will find this wonderful place of  beauty and reflection. It is suggested that the 6 stone circles date back as far as the early bronze age. It isn't known what the actual purpose of the stones are, however its believed they were used for religious rituals.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO FOR KIDS?

The Island of Arran is like one big adventure playground for children. You could visit the beaches and rock pools on a sunny day, or maybe the little darlings would prefer pony trekking, or a picnic at Glenashdale Falls,or maybe visiting castles or seal watching...the list is endless! You can pick them up an ''Arran Passport'' this allows them to jot down all the places they have visited. If you visit the Island during the autumn be sure to look out for the red squirrels in the country park at Brodick Castle.

Calendonian McBrayne Ferries sail regularly between Ardrossan on the Ayrshire coast to Brodick and from Claonaig in southern Argyll to Lochranza. Check out the link below for times of those sailings.

1. Arran is located off the coast of south west Scotland.

2. The Island is 20 miles long and 57 miles round.

3. Goatfell is its highest peak rising to 2,866 ft ( 874 m )

4.The population of Arran in 2001 was 5,058.

5. More than half a million visitors come to Arran each year.