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iPod Traveller Show Notes I
POD
T
RAVELLER
SHOW NOTES EPISODE 39
Presented by
©2006 SE1 Media
The Best in European Travel
Islands and Highlands: Part 1
Overview
Scotland is often described as the best small country in the world. Th is week we set
o on a day-trip from Glasgow to visit the Isle of Arran - which boasts the title Scotland
in Miniature.
Th ere are more than 300 di erent islands o the coast of Scotland, 89 of which are
actually inhabited. Th e Scottish islands are all incredibly enchanting, each with a unique
character and charm. Visitors can spend months exploring the various landscapes and
cultures each has to o er.
Arran has a number stone circles dating from neolithic times. It is thought that Arran
was the home of the Brythonic speaking people. Later in the islands history, it was
invaded by Norwegians, which explains the number of Norwegian names on the island.
Even Haakon IV of Norway visited in 1263 en route to the Battle of Largs.
What To See on the Isle of Arran
Brodick Castle
(
http://www.nts.org.uk
). Th e castle can be seen by ferry passengers
visitors from the docks in Arrans main port at Brodick. Brodick castle is perched high
overlooking Brodick Bay with rewarding panoramas for those who make the steep climb
from the shore to the castle gardens.
Th e castle was the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, and home to the Duke and
Duchess of Montrose until 1957. Now, the castle is preserved and maintained by the
National Trust of Scotland. (National Trust members enjoy free entrance to the castle and
gardens.) Th e castle also has a co ee house and restaurant.
Arran Distillery
Th e Scots love to drink and Arran is the perfect island on which to do
so. To encourage and indulge this national pastime, the Arran Distillery was opened by
none other than Her Majesty the Queen in 1995. Th e distillery is situated in Lochranza
and is accessible by bus from both sides of the island. Th e distillery has a visitor centre and
provides regular tasting tours throughout the year.
It is believed that Robert Burns was particularly fond of some of the illicit stills being
produced on Arran in the 18th century. Th at being said, the Isle of Arran Distillers is
now a patron of the World Burns Federation. Th e Arran Distillery has produces and sells
a range o Single Malts, Special Editions, and Wisky Blends.
Arran Brewery
Th e Arran Brewery, founded in 2000, produces three beers; Arran
Ale, Arran Blonde and Arran Dark. (We at iPod Traveller personally recommend the
much-loved Isle of Arran Ale!) All three are available for purchase throughout Scotland
and at selected pubs in the UK. Th e brewery has a visitor centre set in Cladach, a stones
throw from Brodick castle.
With your hosts:
Nick Hall and
Andrea Petzko! I
POD
T
RAVELLER
SHOW NOTES EPISODE 39
Presented by
©2006 SE1 Media
Presented by
Islands and Highlands: Part 1
Getting there
Ferry is by far the easiest way to visit the main islands.
Caledonian MacBrayne o ers regular and reliable ferries to more
than twenty islands o the east coast of Scotland, most of which
accommodate cars. All of these are timed to link with the rest of
Scotlands excellent public transport system of buses and trains.
Getting to and navigating the islands is easy and hassle free. Bear
in mind that railway stations will usually sell combined discounted
rail-boat tickets.
For a country so underpopulated and with such di cult terrain, Scotland is surprisingly
easy to navigate. Most of the islands o the west coast are easy to reach using the
Caledonian McBrayne ferries and connect with local rail and bus services. Travel to the
islands is a ordable and enjoyable.
Rail
Glasgow has two main railways stations; Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queens Street.
Glasgow is well connected with most major cities in England by GNER and Virgin services
which both terminate at Glasgow Central. For those who want a more leisurely journey, the
Caledonian Sleeper will take you from London to Glasgow overnight with bargain berths
from £19.
Local services to Ardrossan Harbour leave Central Station frequently and travel down
the Ayrshire coast. Continue a little further towards Ayr and witness some of the spectacular
world famous golf courses that Ayrshire is so famous for.
Bus
Th ere are a variety of long and short distance bus services connecting Glasgow with all
the major and small towns in Scotland. Buchanan bus station is located near Queens Street
station. City Link (
http://www.citylink.co.uk
) is the main provider of services in Scotland
and they also provide a ordable tours of the Lomand national park.
Air
Glasgow is the main international airport for Scotland
and most major European and World cities are connected
with regular ights.
Th e airport is connected with two competing bus
services which cost approximately £5 to reach the city
centre and take 20 minutes.
More recently, budget airlines have started using
Prestwick Airport, all the way out in Ayr. easyJet were
famously taken to court by British Airways for an
advertising slogan aimed at snubbing Ryanair for using the
Ayrshire airport. Th e advertisemnt referred to the airport
as Ayr Miles for its actual distance from Glasgow.
Air Miles was inicdently a trade mark owned by BA,
who werent very happy about the pun and so ironically
took easyJet to court for their anti-Ryanair advertising.
Th e judge threw the case out of court after ruling that
the feud between the two airlines was immature and
pathetic. (Dont quote us on the accuracy of that story!)
Budget Airlines serving Glasgow & Prestwick
:
BMI & BMI Baby, FlyGlobespan, Sterling, Flybe,
Germanwings, Aer Arann, Ryanair, Jet2, easyJet, Central
Wings and Sky Europe.
Th ese airlines serve all of Western European
destinations as well as Czech Republic and Poland.
Tea-time at Brodick Castle
Did you nd this
information helpful?
Website:
www.ipodtraveller.net
Message forum:
www.ipodtraveller.net/vanilla
Email:
nick@ipodtraveller.net
andrea@ipodtraveller.net
Leave a message (USA):
347-427-9323
Send an SMS:
text the word travel &
then your message to
+44 7766 40 41 42 I
POD
T
RAVELLER
SHOW NOTES EPISODE 39
Presented by
©2006 SE1 Media
Presented by
Islands and Highlands: Part 1
Visitor Links
Scotland National Tourist Board
http://www.visitscotland.com
Ayrshire and Arran Tourist Board
http://www.ayrshire-arran.com
National Trust of Scotland (search Brodick Castle)
http://www.nts.org.uk
Golf on the Isle of Arran
http://www.arran.uk.com/gol ng/
Exploring the Isle of Arran
Island delicacies
Arran Distillery
http://www.arranwhisky.com
Arran Brewery
http://www.arranbrewery.com
Arran Aromatics
http://www.arranaromatics.com
Island Hopping
Caledonian MacBrayne
Caledonian MacBrayne provide ferry services to twenty-
two di erent islands and four peninsulas on the Western
Coast of Scotland.
If you plan to spend some time exploring more than one
island then you may want to consider purchasing an Island
Rover which gives you unlimited travel on all Caledonian
MacBrayne ferries for a xed price.
Islands served by Caledonian MacBrayne
Arran,

Barra, Bute, Coll, Colonsay, Cowal, Cumbrae,
Gigha, Harris, Lona, Islay, Kintyre, Lewis, Lismore, Mull,
Raasay, Rathlin Island, Skye, Small Isles, Tiree, Th e Uists

http://www.calmac.co.uk
Links
Rail
Virgin Trains
http://www.virgintrains.co.uk
GNER
http://www.gner.co.uk
First ScotRail
http://www. rstgroup.com
Th e Train Line (For rail bookings and timetables)
http://www.thetrainline.com
Bus
National Express
http://www.nationalexpress.com
Megabus
http://www.megabus.com/uk
Eurolines
http://www.eurolines.com
CityLink

http://www.citylink.co.uk
Air
Glasgow Airport, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airport
http://www.baa.com
Glasgow Prestwick Airport
http://www.gpia.co.uk
Skyscanner (low cost airline price search)
http://www.skyscanner.net
British Airways
http://www.ba.com
easyJet
http://www.easyjet.com
Ryanair
http://www.ryanair.com
BMI
http://www. ybmi.com
Flybe
http://www. ybe.com
Globespan
http://www. yglobespan.com
Sky Europe
http://www.skyeurope.com
Central Wings
http://www.centralwings.com
Globespan
http://www. yglobespan.com
Wizz
http://www.wizzair.com
A drunk co-
presenter on the
Isle of Arran!