Things to see and do Brodick

Sitting in the shadow of Goat Fell, Brodick Castle is a must-see when visiting Arran. The fortification of the site dates back to the^5th century, when the Gaels extended their kingdom there from the Irish region of Antrim. In the ^10th century, it was the turn of the Norwegians to take over the place, before the island became part of the Kingdom of Mann & the Isles in the middle of the ^13th century. At the beginning of the ^14th century, it had been attached to the Scottish crown and had already experienced the wars of independence. The Earls of Arran began to build the building we see today in 1510. The War of the Three Kingdoms did not spare it and it passed from family to family according to conflicts and allegiances.

Castle. The interiors are the epitome of Victorian splendor and contain rooms and decorative elements of great value. The grand entrance hall with its hunting trophies is a reminder of the activities of the aristocracy of the time, while the bedrooms and the dining room are extremely elegant. An interactive visit of the castle, with actors in costume, sound and lighting effects is now in place, for a more playful discovery.

Park. The gardens are also worth a visit and are particularly pleasant in good weather. French gardens, they offer a peaceful escape between waterfalls, ponds and wooded paths.

Activities for children. They will love the Isle Be Wild playground and the Fairies & Legends Trail.

In partnership with the Forestry Commission, Alex organizes safari trips in his 4×4 which can accommodate up to 16 people. Excursions are made from Brodick, either to the forest - wildlife observation with binoculars, passage by Glenashdale Falls, discovery of a cairn of more than 5,000 years... - or towards the coast with emblematic sites such as the Devil's Punchbowl, the Witches' Step or Arran's " Big Five ". Outings including distilleries (Lagg Distillery and Lochranza Distillery) are also on the program.

Opened in 2000, the Arran brewery quickly made a place for itself in the hearts of beer lovers. You can now drink his achievements all over the country and discover his production site here. Visits take place only twice a day and last on average 45 minutes. They allow you to see the manufacturing process and end with a tasting session. If you're short of time, you can always drop by the shop and visitor centre, created to allow you to discover the art of brewing through observation windows.

All the secrets of the fascinating island of Arran are told here for the curious who wish to learn more about the island culture, through archaeology, but also social history. A Bronze Age tomb, a replica Viking ship, reproductions of period interiors, costumes, photographs and videos bring the local heritage back to life, whether it is from 3,000 years ago or the last century. There's a coffee shop on the premises. Events are organized there every year: motorcycle and tractor show, handicraft day, children's day...