Arran 2001
A trip north of the border to the Arran, just off the west coast of Scotland.
Accommodation was a bunk house just outside Brodick, the island's capital. In all thirteen people made the journey to Arran.
The whole group outside Brodick Castle
(Click on any image for a larger version)
The first group arrived on Thursday evening, and on Friday the blokes took advantage of the good weather to climb Goatfell, the highest hill on the island. Meanwhile the girls used the island's extensive bus service to explore.
Goatfell, as seen from Brodick Harbour
All but one of the remaining visitors arrived on the Friday evening. This second group climbed Goatfell on Saturday, but weren't as lucky as those that reached the top the day before - it was cloudy for most of the day and we saw absolutely nothing from the summit.
The others did a walk along part of the nothern coast of the island, spotting deer, porpoises and seals along the way.
Saturday evening saw the last arrival and the now traditional barbecue - accompanied by lots of alcohol and a few boardgames.
Sitting around after the BBQ
Sunday was a more relaxing day. In the morning we all visited Brodick Castle, before saying goodbye to the first person to leave. We then visited Arran's own brewery. Thinking that the sample at the end of the tour wasn't enough, most of us spent the afternoon sitting outside a local pub drinking the brewery's produce.
Everybody else left on Monday, after cleaning the bunkhouse and doing some shopping at the brewery, creamery, chocolate makers...