THE ISLE OF ARRAN by Alex Wellman Where else but a quiet Scottish island can you kayak in rapids, cycle up great hills and swig whisky until the cockles are well and truly warmed. Famed for being the place where Robert the Bruce hid from

THE ISLE OF ARRAN

by Alex Wellman

Where else but a quiet Scottish island can you kayak in rapids, cycle up great hills and swig whisky until the cockles are well and truly warmed.

Famed for being the place where Robert the Bruce hid from the English forces in the 14th century and witnessed a spider spin its web, the Isle of Arran is certainly a more welcoming place to Londoners than it was 700 years ago.

Having been invited by Visit Scotland and Highland Spring to take part in an outdoor challenge, this city slicker was expecting the worst.

What was presented was something quite different.

The beautiful Auchrannie Resort hotel was our base for the day long trial of endurance and orienteering, courtesy of the Arran Adventure Company.

Having spent the previous day practising our cycling along the picturesque roads, we were soon thrust into the challenge of finding markers throughout the highlands and lowlands of the entire island.

Mud, sand and sea was splashed upon us as we abseiled, kayaked, swung on ropes and generally did all we could to make our bodies ache.

For those who enjoy the rapid pulse rate, the day was certainly for them.

For those who don't, the following days activities would be more to their taste.

Stunning views and valuable artefacts were more on the cards for the visit to Brodick Castle as we left the thrills and spills behind.

After touring the grounds with their beautiful gardens we headed off to somewhere much more close to my heart - a whisky distillery.

The Isle of Arran Distillery shows how the famous drop is made and at the end you get free tasters.

These were gleefully taken as we ended our trip to the small island with a big heart.

alex.wellman@archant.co.uk

What to do

The Arran Adventure Company specialises in providing just the right level of challenge to guarantee a great time.

www.arranadventure.com

The Auchrannie Resort offers a two distinctive four star hotels and five star self-catering lodges, together with extensive leisure facilities options.

www.auchrannie.co.uk

Opened in 1995 and using only traditional methods of distilling, The Isle of Arran Distillery was voted the Scottish Distillery of the Year in 2007.

www.arranwhisky.com

The unspoilt links of Shiskine Golf & Tennis Club are set in magnificent scenery on the west coast of Arran.

www.shiskinegolf.com

The Arran Folk Festival promotes traditional live and acoustic music throughout the year.

www.arranfolkfestival.com

Full details of an array of different activities are available from VisitArran.

www.visitarran.com