Bright Skies and Beautiful Views at Brodick

                                                        Brodick Castle from the Water - Photo Credit: NTUSA

As the ferry pulls in towards Brodick terminal all eyes look to the right towards the majestic baronial castle that stands in perfect position to thwart its enemies of yesteryear.

It was late Summer 2021 when my partner and I took the ferry from Ardrossan in Ayrshire to the Isle of Arran.  A 55minute ferry journey followed by a short 3 mile drive and we found ourselves at the entrance of Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park.

A quick flash of our National Trust Scotland Membership cards and we were set for a wonderful day out.

Inside the Castle

                                                     

                                                  A room in Brodick Castle - Own Photo
                                            

The interior of the castle has a very Victorian feel to it, one of the guides told us that this was the work of Princess Marie of Baden, wife of the 11th duke of Hamilton.  

Going through the castle room after room is filled with an abundance of expensive cloth and ornaments, the wealth and status of the castle's former owners on display in a fashion as obvious as push up bra.

Moving further through the castle we cross into the servants quarts and down a newly fitted staircase to the kitchen.  Although the stairs are not original as you descend them you can almost imagine the cook, kitchen maids and other servants hurriedly going about their work.

                                                      Brodick Castle Kitchen - Own Photo

The National Trust has developed "The Dodo Trail" to keep young (and not so young!) visitors to the castle entertained by looking for stuffed Dodo birds as they go around the castle.  Can you spot the stuffed one? 

                                                      The Dodo Trail at Brodick Castle - Own Photo

The Castle Gardens and Country Park

 

                                           Brodick Castle: A Garden with a View - Own Photo

The attractive gardens were another by-product of the Princess of Baden's life at the Castle.  It is difficult to decide what is the most mesmerising the enticing garden or beauty of the sea and bright skies in the distance.

We took a stroll around the Castle grounds and gardens, passing an adventurous playpark.  Unfortunately we did not have time to experience a lot of Country Park as we wanted to drive around the island but what we did see was fabulous.  There are more than 10miles of signposted trails through woodlands, waterfalls and bathing pools.

I would thoroughly recommend a day at Brodick.. or even two! And if you can you should also drive the circumference of the island... the views are unbelievable.  You will not be disappointed.