As you board the ferry at Ardrossan, you see the distinctive silhouette of Goat Fell rising dramatically from the clear waters of the Firth of Clyde giving a foretaste of your destination whose unique magic never disappoints. Often described as "Scotland in Miniature", Arran has a blend of Highland and Island scenery with granite peaks and deep glens to the north of the island, contrasting with its rolling and lush farmlands to the south.

Only 56 miles around its coastline, the small villages are compared to ‘jewels on a necklace’ strung out like pearls around the island. From Blackwaterfoot we will visit Whiting Bay, Lamlash, Brodick - the capital of Arran, the pretty village of Corrie under the shadow of Goat Fell and Sannox before passing the '12 Apostles' at Lochranza. The Gardens of Brodick Castle leave a lasting impression, the setting is staggering and its garden is a mass of colour at any time of the year – in spring the scent of azaleas and rhododendrons fills the air while in autumn the trees don their autumn cloaks and the foliage blazes with reds, golds and ambers.

We will be based for four nights at the 3-star Best Western Kinloch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot, on the western shore of the island, overlooking Kilbrannan Sound and the Mull of Kintyre. The hotel has a heated swimming pool, sauna, solarium, squash court, snooker and fitness room. Here you will receive a truly warm welcome, sample the best of local Arran produce and enjoy a friendly atmosphere.