The area described consists of  two anchorages (with moorings available), on the east side of the Isle of Arran. Both Brodick, being the main ferry terminal for the Isle of Arran, and Lamlash being larger village can offer shoreside facilities for visitors.

Brodick is completely exposed to the East, therefore only suitable for use when the wind is in the West. Lamlash is sheltered from the East by Holy Island, but a quick glance at the photo gallery will show that this shelter is somewhat tenuous for small boats, the Lamlash anchorage being more suitable for a fleet of battleships.

Nevertheless both locations offer a number visitors mooring buoys, and even in easterlies the small craft skipper will find some shelter in the lee of Holy Island, the Lamlash anchorage not being far from Brodick.

Both locations are subject to violent squalls from the surrounding mountains.

Quick links to nearby harbours:  Ardrossan Harbour and Clyde Marina , Troon Harbour and Yacht Haven , Ayr Harbour

Lamlash Harbour can be entered via the North channel or the South channel. The North channel is entered between a red can buoy (Fl.R.6s) and Holy Island. The buoy guards a shoal patch patch with around 2 m depth, so can be safely ignored by small craft in quiet conditions.

Tidal flows in and out of the North channel are not dramatic, 0.5 kn to 1kn.

The south channel likewise is guarded by a red can buoy, Fullarton Rock (Fl(2)R.12s) and this should be on your port side as you enter with Holy Island to starboard.. Again tidal flows are not fierce, 1.5 kn maximum.

Brodick is an open bay, with the village and the Ro Ro terminal on the South side and a Brodick Castle on the north-west side. Most small craft can make for the north-west corner, keeping out of the way of the ferries.

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In Lamlash there are various anchoring possibilities are best seen by reference to the chart, the main problem being the water rapidly deepening and becoming unsuitable for small craft to anchor in.

The fish farms on the South West side of the harbour also need attention.

It is possible to anchor clear of the moorings to the East of the town, which is convenient for a dinghy mission to the slipway.

Yellow and green visitors moorings off the town, near the slipway are maintained by the yacht club. The charges are £10 per night, honesty box on slipway wall, or pay at the Holy Isle ferry hut. Phone: 01770 600705 or link to club below:

http://www.arranyachtclub.co.uk/about_ayc.htm

Depending on the wind direction other anchorages are available near the South entrance on the South West side before the fish farms are reached, near the North entrance, under the north-west shore as shown on the chart, and finally in easterlies towards the north end of Holy Island, South of the jetty.

Easterly winds are likely to make it uncomfortable in the harbour.

Brodick also has some visitors moorings, 15 moorings in 3 trots of 5 owned and maintained by North Ayrshire Council... they are all free, blue and marked "Visitors Only 15 Tonnes Max". These are generally laid in the spring, and lifted in October.

Otherwise anchor in north-west corner of Brodick Bay, as shown on the chart, and be prepared to move out if the wind moves towards the East.

Both harbours are subject to squalls from the mountains.

At Lamlash fuel and water can be obtained, but will probably need jerry cans. W.C ashore at the pier. The yacht club has a 10 tonne hoist and yacht storage ashore for members, whilst owning the pier.

Trailer sailers have a decent slipway available at Lamlash, see photos.  Check with the Yacht Club.

The Old Pier Tearoom has showers available for visitors, and there is a seven day a week Co op store for provisions, together with a bank and post office.

Johnston's Marine Store, supplies chandlery and can help with marine engineering and diving. Calor Gas can be obtained. 01770 600333.

Although smaller than Lamlash, Brodick being a ferry town, also offers a surprising array of banks, shops, supermarkets, together with a visitors centre and a public swimming pool. Calor gas and water can be obtained here too.

Golfing and walking are catered for at both locations, together with hotels, guesthouses etc.

Transport connections are provided by a regular Cal Mac ferry service to Ardrossan, for onward rail connections.

Lamlash is the largest village by population on the Isle of Arran, in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. It lies 4 miles to the south of ferry port Brodick, in a bay on the island's east coast, facing Holy Isle.

History

The name Lamlash dates back to an Irish monk called Las who, in c.590 spent some time in a cave on Holy Island. Las was more usually known as Molas, and the Gaelic name of Holy Island was, as a result, Eilean Molaise. This gradually evolved through Elmolaise and Lemolash to Lamlash, which is what Holy Island was called until early in the 19th century. After that time the name was more normally attached to the village that grew up facing it.

A nearby prehistoric ring of stones suggests a more ancient history.

Lamlash was peripherally involved in the 13th century Battle of Largs.

The village was also the training place for Scottish 11 Commando during the early years of the Second World War.

Lamlash is located in the southern half of the island, some three miles to the south of Brodick and five miles to the north of Whiting Bay. It is on the eastern side and sits on a bay facing the Holy Isle and the Firth of Clyde.

Employment

In common with the rest of the island the village's main industry is tourism. The only secondary school and only hospital in Arran are also located in Lamlash, as are local government offices.

Harbour

According to Glasgow's Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Lamlash has a good natural harbour offering very good shelter. It has accommodated the Royal Navy Home Fleet and Atlantic Fleet. Local campaigners hope to establish a Marine Protected Area in the bay.

Lamlash has an RNLI Lifeboat station with a B class Atlantic 75 lifeboat, covering the inshore waters around the coast of Arran.

Brodick

Brodick is the second-largest village (after Lamlash) on the Isle of Arran, in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. It is set on the eastern coast of the island, roughly in the central section. It sits in Brodick Bay below Goat Fell, the tallest mountain on Arran. The name is derived from Norse roots meaning "Broad Bay".

Features include the harbour which receives the main connecting ferry with the mainland which sails to Ardrossan, and Brodick Castle, a former residence of the Dukes of Hamilton.

Tourism

Brodick is a popular holiday destination and tourism provides much of the village's economic base. There are many family-owned and independent businesses, such as shops, bed and breakfast establishments, guest houses and outdoor activities. As well as several of the island's busiest hotels, it has both Chinese & Italian restaurants.

It has the island's main ferry terminus ( a second, smaller ferry runs from Lochranza) which connects Brodick to Ardrossan and then the national rail network. The ferries are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne. The MV Caledonian Isles plies this route. The journey generally takes less than 1 hour. The route is one of the busiest crossings on the CalMac network.

To tempt the tourist and in addition to mountain-walking of the highest quality, the village offers:

    * Arran Brewery, situated in Cladach. It produces Arran Blonde beer, alongside other premium ales which are sold throughout the UK.
    * Arran Aromatics. It produces a range of toiletries on site which are sold throughout the UK
    * Auchrannie Resort. 2 hotels, 3 restaurants and 2 lesiure complex, one of biggest employers on island
    * Creelers, adjacent to Arran Aromatics. A seafood restaurant with locations in Arran and Edinburgh
    * A Pitch and putt course.

Both Brodick and Lamlash offer the visitor a choice of pubs and restaurants, with perhaps Brodick being a holiday destination having a greater number. These are only small villages, so do not expect big town facilities, those looking for a wild night out on the town with an up for it crew may be disappointed.

The links below may give you some ideas, but probably the best plan is to mission it ashore in the dinghy and have a look around...

Pubs

http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/results.shtml/county/Isle%20of%20Arran/
pub

Restaurants

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g186555-Isle_of_Arran_Scotland.html