Whiting Bay
Whiting Bay's a small seaside village on the south east coast of the island of Arran
A sleepy seaside village stretched along the A841 in the southeast of Arran, Whiting Bay enjoys a beautiful setting and makes a pleasant alternative to Brodick as an island base, with some good accommodation and restaurants. Whiting Bay is also the starting point for a lovely walk up to Glenashdale Falls and the megalithic stone structures at Giant’s Graves.
South of Whiting Bay
The main road runs south from Whiting Bay, then swings west along the south coast of Arran, with great views south across to the distinctive mound of Ailsa Craig, lying off the coast of South Ayrshire. There are some good sandy beaches along this stretch, particularly at Kildonan, a village set back off the main road and with a ruined castle looking out to the island of Pladda. Anyone with a sudden urge to throw themselves off the nearest cliff can try their hand at paragliding, at Flying Fever, No 2 Coastguard House in Kildonan, Tel. 820292, www.flyingfever.net
About four miles west of Kildonan are the tiny villages of Torrylinn, Lagg and Kilmory, where you can stop off at the Torrylinn Creamery to buy some excellent local cheese and watch it being made, Tel. /Fax. 870240, open Sunday-Friday 1000-1600. You can stay here at the Lagg Hotel, Tel. 870255, an 18th century coaching inn set in acres of woodland by the river, or at the local campsites, at Breadalbane Lodge, Tel. 820210, and Kildonan Hotel, Tel. 820207, where there's also a bunkhouse. Just beyond these villages the Ross Road branches off northeast up Glen Scorrodale to Lamlash. The A841 meanwhile continues north to Blackwaterfoot, on the southwest coast.
Region
AyrshireTravel Directions to Whiting Bay
Whiting Bay Garage, Tel/Fax. 700345, for car hire, taxis, or island tours. Whiting Bay Hires, on the jetty, Tel. 700382, for cycle hire.
Whiting Bay Hotels & Accommodation
Argentine House Hotel, Tel. 700662, Fax. 700693, www. argentinearran.co.uk 5 rooms, on the seafront and easily recognisable by the flags flying outside. Swiss owners are friendly, hospitable and professional. Excellent cooking with a continental touch. Dinner is also available to non-residents but booking is essential.
Burlington Hotel Tel. 700255, Fax. 700232, 9 rooms, open Easter-Oct. Comfortable rooms and a reputation for superb seafood; moderately priced set 3-course dinner in dining room or à la carte in bistro.
There are also B&Bs and guesthouses, such as Swan's Guest House, Rowallan, Tel. 700729, Feb-Nov; and aSYHA Youth Hostel on the seafront by the bridge, Tel. 700339; open end-Feb to end-Oct.
A cheaper alternative to the hotels mentioned above is the Coffee Pot on Golf Course Rd, Tel. 700382, where you can enjoy tasty but cheap snacks and home baking. Open Easter-Oct daily, 1000-1700 (Jul/Aug 1000-1900). There are two good places to eat on Shore Road, Cameronia, Tel. 700254, or the very popular The Pantry, Tel. 700489 (booking essential for the latter).