Easter island bonanza
Arran enjoys its busiest ever weekend break on record
The weather may not always have been kind but Arran enjoyed a bumper Easter which could well be the busiest on record.
Businesses on the island not only reported an exceptionally busy weekend, but a busier than ever Easter school holiday fortnight.
Across the spectrum of island organisations, from accommodation providers to restaurants, shops and activity providers, all have reported an upturn in business with increased visitor numbers.
The MV Isle of Arran was brought on to provide extra sailings over the weekend, providing an extra boost.
It was certainly the busiest Arran rugby sevens event held on Saturday at Ormidale Park in recent times, with organisers reporting a threefold increase in takings from last year. And the Easter fun at Brodick Castle was very busy, despite the weather.
A broad survey of accommodation providers found that, while Easter was usually a busy period, the increased numbers visiting the island had extended the period, with accommodation being booked for weeks before and after the traditional Easter weekend.
Jane Mack, of the Arran Team, a self-catering holiday letting agency, said: ‘We have been fully booked for the past three weeks. Most of our bookings are in advance but there were still people who took advantage of some last-minute deals. The Easter period this year and the lead up to it has been as busy as main summer holidays have been.’
At the Douglas Hotel in Brodick, duty manager Heather Wood reported that both the hotel and the Brodick Bunkhouse had been fully booked over Easter and that the restaurant eventually had to start a waiting list owing to the large numbers of visitors.
She added: ‘The Douglas Hotel and bistro continues to rise in popularity and this year has been no exception.’
At Seal Shore Campsite in Kildonan, owner Maurice Deighton said: ‘We are always full over Easter. The difference this year is that we are now busier pre- and post-season, which could either be attributed to the RET fares or the variety of activities that we offer at this time which are well received by our visitors.’
To the north of the island, at Lochranza Field Study and Activity Centre director Chris Traill said: ‘Over Easter there has been a large uptake on activities being booked by families. It would seem that visitors’ needs are changing and that they no longer want to just browse shops but are also wanting to have activities to enjoy. This year has seen an increase in visitors wanting to abseil in Sannox, and gorge walking has also increased in popularity this year.’
A spokesperson from Visit Arran said: ‘Businesses reported a very busy time with tourists from not just across the water but also from further afield, who seemed to love the island and all that it has to offer.
‘It was great to have the extra ferry sailings and hopefully by this time next year they will be on for the whole of the Easter period.’