Lockdown stories

What has it been like living in one of the mountainous regions we’re all yearning to get to? Kirstie Smith reports from Arran

ARRAN IS A POPULAR tourist destination, with almost half of the island made up of second homes – which, come Easter, are usually all full. Add to that hotels, B&Bs, campsites and extra day-trippers, and normally the island goes from a quiet local population to hosting thousands of extra visitors enjoying our stunning trails, beaches and mountains with local businesses thriving.

But this spring, our mountains are free of human presence and the villages and roads are eerily quiet.

This year has hit us hard, like it has many other places all over the country; and, although many island businesses have been impacted, people understand the seriousness of the outbreak and the extra pressures on our limited emergency services. Everything we know and are used to has just had to be put on hold. Ferry services have been reduced and you can only travel to and from the island now with a valid ‘essential’ reason.

Local folk who escape to the mountains at the weekends still get to stare at their beauty from afar, and the general consensus is that we are extremely grateful to have views and so much open space close to our homes to get our daily exercise in. I’m still finding it a struggle to get my head around having this on my doorstep when others are stuck in cities. I feel very privileged.

I’m appreciating living here more than ever.