This Month In Arran 

A very stormy but fairly mild month on Arran. The Shorehouse is locked up for the winter and we are fully employed doing our winter maintenace. We still have many hardy souls who travel across for the traditional walk up Goat Fell and I even rented a couple of bikes yesterday despite the gails. Winter is also time to plan the activities for the summer and we have just agreed to repeat the Maritime Frstival in May and a Triathalon and stage an Arran Rocks festival in September.

Our regular ferry survey has shown that low level walking remains the most popular vistitor activity with nountain walking and Cycling not far behind. The Shorehouse welcomes walkers and cyclists and to encourage cyclists we will offer free cycle hire for two days to anyone boooking a holiday at The Shorehouse through May and June. Also, after the great success of last years Mountain Festival we plan a repeat in September 2012.

Walking on Arran will continue to be developed with Arran Access supported by Arran Trust completing a new section of path which completes the Sannox walk to The Saddle. This had been a very boggy section which either forced people to turn back or gave them wet feet for the rest of the day.opening up and improving new paths and a general review of marine recreational facilities on the Island with a view to improve them should take place before the end of the month. Arran Trust will be releasing more funds shortly to improve the Brodick to Corrie path and other core paths around the Island.
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Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST)

The Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST), based on the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, is a not-for-profit community group, dedicated to promoting and protecting the amazing but delicate marine environment found right on our shoreline. After many years of campaigning, a no-take zone (an area closed to fishing) was designated in Lamlash Bay off the Isle of Arran in 2008. COAST's vision is to protect maerl beds and other seabed habitats, regenerate fish and scallop populations and to enhance marine biodiversity. For more information about the Lamlash Bay no-take zone visit the COAST website here.

Have your say! Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) is conducting two questionnaire surveys and a public consultation over the next few weeks. Click here for more information.We have updated our website with some new content and also launched our a new blog sections to keep you updated with all the news from the Isle of Arran.