Route: Brodick Castle
Area: Scotland, Isle of Arran
Date of walk: 17th October 2021
Walkers: Andrew, Gilly and James
Distance: 3.0 miles
Ascent: 200 feet
Weather: Cloud and drizzly
A glance out of the window this morning convinced us to abandon our planned walk in the hills – the landscape of Arran was covered by a carpet of thick clag. It was time for Plan B – a walk around the gardens of historic Brodick Castle, which we’d been keeping up our sleeves for a day such as this
The island castle has a long and interesting history and is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland (membership of the English National Trust extends here, which saved us an entry fee)
A map of the gardens is available at the entrance and we used it to navigate our way to the red squirrel hide. The island is an important stronghold for these endangered creatures as there’s no competition from greys, which carry a disease fatal to reds. As we entered the hide a red squirrel was feeding just a few feet away from us but it scampered away before I could take a decent photo
We left the hide for others to enjoy and set off around the waymarked Plant Hunters’ Trail – the gardens are home to hundreds of rare plants from all parts of the world brought here by the early explorers. We then entered into the oldest part of the garden, the Walled Garden, built in 1710. The views over Brodick Bay were obscured by thick fog, but the late flowering perennials put on a good show
After the garden walk, we visited the castle interior which I’d highly recommend for its historical interest. It had been a wonderful visit despite the adverse weather
Click on icon below for a map which shows the location of Brodick Castle – I’ve not suggested a route as it’s best to wander around and choose your own course, using the map provided at the entrance
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Plan of Brodick Castle garden, which is given out at the entrance
Brodick Castle - we'd visit the interior later. We walked past the castle to seek out the red squirrel hide...
The Walled Garden is on our left, and we'll visit it at the end of the walk
Looking back to Brodick Castle, built in 1844, although a fortress has been here for centuries due to its strategic position
After visiting the red squirrel hide, where we had a good sighting but no photo to prove it, we walked around the woodland, home to some ancient trees
We cross a bridge over a small stream which runs through the garden...
Ancient trees...
The Plant Hunters' Walk, home to exotic plants from all parts of the world, brought here by early explorers who risked their lives on occasions...
The Bavarian summerhouse built in 1845, and the remaining survivor of four which were built at key scenic points in the garden...
Ferns adding an element of mystery to the place...
Holy Island on the far side of the bay, obscured by low cloud today
Acers providing autumn colour
We enter the Walled Garden
There's still plenty of colour in the borders even though it's very late in the season
A last look up to Brodick Castle as we take our leave
The weather had been poor in the morning, but back at our base in Lamlash there was some mid-afternoon light on Holy Island which encouraged us to venture out again - see my next walk
