Isle of Arran - Exploring Sannox Bay, Seal Spotting and King's Cave
We started Easter Sunday off with an egg hunt for the children. The kids jumped over stepping stones and made their way through a walk amidst the sand dunes onto Sannox Bay. Along the path, hidden surprises awaited, with a grand finale on the beach. The kids had a great time and spent an hour exploring the shoreline in search of shells and interesting stones.
From the beach, we crossed over the A841 and walked up Sannox Burn, making our way further into the beautiful Glen. It was a gentle uphill walk that crossed a stream. Along the way, the kids spotted large boulders that were perfect for climbing and discovered a slow worm, which was definitely a highlight for Sam. We decided to stop for a picnic lunch before turning around and making our way back to the van for more exciting exploring of the island.
We headed north on the A841 to follow the coastline around to the west of the island. The roads were surprisingly quiet considering it was the Easter weekend, and the sun decided to make an appearance! Off the west coast, we spotted a group of seals basking in the sun. Excited by the sight, we stopped the van, and the kids eagerly climbed over the rocks to take a closer look.
We jumped back into the van and set off towards King's Cave. King's Cave is situated on the west coast, not far from the village of Blackwaterfoot. It can be accessed by a forestry car park located near Machrie, approximately 3 kilometers to the north of the village. The 4.8-kilometer circular route guides you through forests, and as you walk, it eventually leads you down toward the stunning coastline and to the caves themselves. From the path, you can see the Pirnmill Hills and across the stretch of water (the Kilbrannan Sound) over to the Kintyre Peninsula. It was a longer walk than we expected and the kids needed some persuading with the occasional chocolate egg or bunny. The trail does feature a steep descent down through a gate and onto the shingle beach.
King’s Cave is one of several caves located on the Corrie shore. We came across an arch and smaller caves along the coastline first. One of these smaller caves was filled with cairns with a winding path to the back. Many of the caves were used by smugglers in the past, and the most famous by Robert the Bruce. Sam has been learning about Robert the Bruce so was excited to finally make it to King's Cave. Here, Robert the Bruce was inspired by the spider he saw trying and retrying to spin its web. This encouraged him to get up and fight for the Scottish throne, which he successfully did in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn. On the walls of the cave are figures of horses and deer, some of which are thought to date back a few centuries, possibly even to the bronze age. There are even some medieval inscriptions and 19th century Christian symbols, including a large cross prominently positioned on the front buttress near the back of the cave. This serves as evidence that the caves may have been visited by early Christian travellers. Neil took the kids on an adventurous exploration to the very back of the cave, equipped with headtorches. Sam then took his photo opportunity seriously, posing as Robert the Bruce.
After a tiring walk back to the van, we set off for a well-deserved dinner at the Pierhead Tavern in the village of Lamlash. Thankfully, the weather had picked up, so with Neil's recommendation we sat on the terrace and relished the stunning views all around us. The menu at the tavern caters for children. Sam had fish and chips, while Esme made the usual choice of bangers and mash. As for Steve and me, we opted for the Caledonian chicken, similar to Balmoral chicken, which is stuffed with haggis and served alongside a rich Arran whisky sauce. It was a lovely meal with great company to end our weekend. We can’t wait to plan a visit to another island!
