Cycle Touring on Arran

Last week my husband, two daughters and I decided on an impromptu trip to the Isle of Arran.  We put our bikes on the car and drove up to the West coast of Scotland where we left the car on the mainland and took our bikes on the ferry across to Brodick.  The weather was fantastic and the crossing calm.  We cycled for about 8 miles around the coastal road (in an anti clockwise direction) and it was pleasantly flat although a terribly rough road surface.  Then there was a rather steep pass that we had to attack.  This is us having a rest and a snack at the bottom. 

After 16 miles of cycling we arrived at the beautiful Youth Hostel in Lochranza. 

The views were amazing as it was right on the coast and just a few metres away was a ruined castle.

The next morning we hit the road again early as we had approx 30 miles to cover .

On the way we stopped at the Auchagallon Stone Circle, which was a couple of miles from the road but the walk was a welcome change of  'muscle use'.                                                                            

Then only about another mile further along the road we stopped again, chained the bikes up and walked down a steep path to the beach where we discovered some amazing caves.   

                 

Back on the bikes again and down to the next Hostel in a small place called Kilmory.  When we arrived there were a group of eight elderly folks staying there and would you believe it but four of them lived in Kendal, about 2 miles from us!   

These amazing bluebells were surounding us, along with many other wild flowers as we walked down to the coast in the evening.

The next day was a gruelling 15 mile ride back up to the ferry.  There couldn't have been more ups and downs if it had been a rollercoaster!

Waiting for our ferry to arrive.  An absolutely fantastic holiday.  My only problem was that I'd actually put some weight on - not the plan at all!!!