Arranology

The uniqueness of Arran

As you will have gathered, we are rightly proud of our geology, archaeology, ecology, and botany and all of this combined goes to make up Arranology – a term initially construed by our colleague Stuart Blake from Lochranza. It sums up Arran perfectly.

Each aspects impacts on the other – without geology we wouldn’t have the rock formations; without those we wouldn’t have communities created thousands of years ago; we wouldn’t have the stunning natural environment and eco system that supports our flora, fauna and even our incredible produce.

You can find out more at the Arran Geopark hubs, Arran Heritage Museum, and also from Arran Rangers and others in the community itself.

Arranology is the melding and overlap of all of these things to create the beautiful and stunning island that we are proud to call home and that we are welcoming you to embrace. Join us, and become an Arranologist!

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Aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark

So what's a Geopark?

Well, Arran's stunning geology has created the most amazing place for people to live, for thousands of years, as can be evidenced by the standing stones, chambered cairns, and loads of other pre-history!  It's also created a kind of microclimate, which is probably why our produce is so good and why we have an abundance of flora and fauna on Arran. 

This intrinsically linked blend of geology, archaeology, people, food, drink and nature, that go to make Arranology - which is why we're applying to be a UNESCO recognised Geopark! Visit one of the Geopark hubs at at Lochranza Centre, Arran Heritage Museum, or at the NTS Ranger Station.  You can also listen and join in VisitArran's Geopark Trail on the Geotourist app.

 

Want to know more?

Read our detailed toolkit to give you more info and learn how to get engaged with our aspiring Geopark >

Quirky Island Fact

#1 - The giant Fingal tethered his dog Bran to a stone at Machrie.
At Machrie, the double circle of stones before the moor is known as Fingal’s Cauldron, named after the giant Fionn MacCuill. Despite the stones looking like one has been moved, it hasn’t. They are all logged carefully by Historic Environment Scotland. However one of the outer stones has a hole, and this is where Fionn (Fingal) tied his dog while he ate lunch.

Quirky Island Fact

#1 - The giant Fingal tethered his dog Bran to a stone at Machrie.
At Machrie, the double circle of stones before the moor is known as Fingal’s Cauldron, named after the giant Fionn MacCuill. Despite the stones looking like one has been moved, it hasn’t. They are all logged carefully by Historic Environment Scotland. However one of the outer stones has a hole, and this is where Fionn (Fingal) tied his dog while he ate lunch.

Quirky Island Fact

#1 - The giant Fingal tethered his dog Bran to a stone at Machrie.
At Machrie, the double circle of stones before the moor is known as Fingal’s Cauldron, named after the giant Fionn MacCuill. Despite the stones looking like one has been moved, it hasn’t. They are all logged carefully by Historic Environment Scotland. However one of the outer stones has a hole, and this is where Fionn (Fingal) tied his dog while he ate lunch.
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