SHOP till you drop

Around the island there are small shops, just when you least expect them one of which is the Rock Pool in Corrie – a delightful little shop and cafe which should not be missed. Just look for the wooden seal on the rock outside. To the south Lamlash is well served with gift shops, including the Curtain House, Made in Arran and the Arran Fine Foods outlet tucked away across a bridge at the far end of the village. Since 1967 the Old Byre Showroom at Machrie, on the west coast, has been delighting visitors and islanders alike; and renovation and extension has now earned it four-star visitor centre status. Shop for a wide range of leading UK quality knitwear and country brands; paint your own pot at Simon Thorborn’s pottery shop and let the young ones burn off energy in the extensive outdoor play area.