Isle of Arran

Arran is often referred to as “Scotland in miniature”. It contains all of Alba’s classic landscape forms, from white sand beaches to rugged mountains, from sheltering glens to high moors and from ancient woodlands to open farmland. It is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, and the seventh-largest in Scotland, covering 432 square kilometres (167 sq. miles).

 

Beaches and picturesque villages dot the shores and historic buildings and prehistoric ruins tell of continuous inhabitation since the early Neolithic period. There are a number of stone circles and individual standing stones scattered around the island. The greatest concentration is on Machrie Moor, very close to our base. This makes a great location in moody conditions at any time of day but particularly at dawn.

 

The geology of the island is perhaps of paramount interest to landscape photographers. The central Highland Boundary Fault divides the tall mountains and deep valleys of the north from the contrasting low-lying meadows and fertile basins of the south. The complex geology has resulted in a marked difference between the eastern and western coastlines. The former are mainly warm toned sandstones with strong lines and shapes whereas the latter are smoothly eroded grey rock, enlivened by quartz veins. 

 

Fast flowing streams course along the valley bottoms, punctuated by waterfalls and cascades. The falls in Glen Rosa are situated in an open position with high peaks beyond, whereas those further south tend to be in heavily wooded glens. These offer plenty of opportunity for more intimate images of leaf, bark and burn.

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We will be based in a beautifully restored large stone estate house on the western side of the island. As well as the proximity to the standing stones, it provides photographic opportunities on the nearby seashore. The island's compact size means that nowhere is very far away so journey times to locations are relatively short. This means it's easy to chase the light as well as revisit places in different conditions.

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