ARRAN CELEBRATES ITS ‘Scran Story’
Cameron Bruce
To many, the Isle of Arran offers a year-round Festival of food and drink, with its landscape, terroir, climate, farming history, modern day producers and hospitality providers all contributing to the Arran Scran Story.
A short crossing from the Ayrshire coast transports you to ‘island time’ a place where you can set your own pace to savour the stories behind the highest quality food and drink.
The story starts two million years ago when the glaciers and meltwater that flowed transformed Arran’s landscape to create its pristine waters, lush pastures and heather-clad hills which give rise to Arran’s Larder. 3,000 years ago, stone-aged hunter gatherers were the first people to arrive on Arran.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Arranachs developed a reputation for the distilling and smuggling of whisky, with many sma’ stills hidden across the southern part of the island. While Arran’s clear waters produced a whisky much liked in mainland Ayrshire it was a constant battle with the excisemen to ensure supply met demand.
Today Arran is home to two distilleries: Lochranza where water is drawn from the Easan Biorach burn after it flows through six waterfalls, reputedly the purest water in Scotland, and Lagg with its peatier delights. Both have great visitor centres with engaging teams of guides. For those that want to delve deeper there is also a Barley to Bottle tour taking in Bellevue Farm and Lagg distillery.
In the 20th century, many of the potato varieties we enjoy today were developed on Arran by Donald ‘Tattie’ McKelvie and dairy farming came to the fore. Today at Tigheanfraoch Farm, Arran’s only remaining dairy farm, the cows produce high-quality milk flavoured by the flora-rich lush pastures that they graze on.
For those that like it straight from the bottle, Arran Milk is available from environmentally friendly vending machines dotted around the island. It is unhomogenised, making it a more natural product and its style will lead many to reminisce of the traditional pint on your doorstop.
The milk is of such high quality that Arran Daires traditional ice cream needs no added flavourings, though they do also produce a range of interesting flavours. Available across the island there’s a passport to collect stamps that can be redeemed for a free ice cream from The Parlour in Brodick. The milk is also used by the Bellevue Creamery in producing its award-winning Arran Blue, Camembert and Brie cheeses.
Farming on Arran now focuses on meat production. Delicious Arran lamb and venison can be found at the Arran Butcher while beef and goat and other meats can be bought direct from farms. The island’s farming story is well told at The Arran Heritage Museum.
The long-established Arran Brewery, famous for its Arran Blonde and Arran Red Squirrel ales, has more recently been joined by nano brewer, Seagate Brewery. Their traditional Scottish 80/- ale features sugar kelp taken from the nearby beach in its ingredients.
The sweet-toothed may like to create their own trail taking in the Arran Chocolate Factory to buy their handmade chocolates or by visiting traditional and artisan bakeries: Wooley’s of Arran and The Blackwater Bakehouse for a cake or sweet pastry.
Arran is blessed with three great independent village shops in Whiting Bay, Blackwaterfoot and Pirnmill that stock most local products. Complementing these is a self-service farm shop in Brodick that stocks local vegetables, bread, milk and eggs.
No visit to Arran would be complete without a visit to Arran Botanical Drinks, makers of Arran Gin and Cassis. On a fine day at their beach bar while enjoying a cocktail, the team and setting deliver a great vibe that make you feel like you are in the Caribbean.
Arran is home to many great eateries, from fine dining at La Truffe Noire or a gourmet burger from The Shack and Grill on the beach, to Brambles at Auchrannie Resort which has a Scottish focused menu in Brodick. At The Lamlash Bay the Arran Butcher’s sausage and haggis can be enjoyed.
In Whiting Bay, The Shurig’s ever changing cocktails complement our favourite: haggis and hand cut chips with peppercorn sauce. Number 16 Arran holds regular pop-ups around the island in homage to its fine dining Glasgow restaurant.
If that’s whetted your appetite, come and join us for The Arran Festival of Food & Drink.
Now in its third year, the Festival was developed by Arran’s innovative, independent food and hospitality businesses so they could to bring together their passion for, and inspiration from, the local food and drink in a dynamic island wide event.
Taking place over ten days from 13th to 22nd September, this year’s theme is ‘Scran Stories’ with the Festival telling Arran’s Farm to Fork story.
During the Festival, restaurants and producers collaborate to put on pop-ups, and festival menus with a focus on local produce. Across the island there are not to be missed special offers, special menus and special events.
Keynote events and menus in 2024 include:
Scran to Share at The Corrie Hotel (throughout the Festival): fully embracing the Festival theme with their ‘Scran to Share’ set menu of Haggis Pakoras, Seafood Platter and Corrie Cranachan.
Retro Scran at the Ormidale Hotel: retro food with a modern twist using the finest of Arran ingredients.
BBQ and Live Music at the Douglas Hotel on 21st September.
Harvest Fest, Bellevue Farm, 22nd September. Harvest Fest brings together a farmers’ market, live music and hot food along with on-farm entertainment. Previous highlights included turkey racing, welly throwing and an omelette challenge. It’s a great day out for foodies and families.
Organised by Arran’s Food Journey, the Festival not only showcases what a special foodie place Arran is, but also involves Arran’s communities with open days at community growing gardens and competitive (residents only) events like Ready Steady Cook: Arran.
Planning your Festival trip is easy: visit the Festival website at www.arransfoodjourney.com/festival for the full programme. If you’re coming to stay, plan your visit through www.visitarran.com
Arran Gold Tiramisu: www.arransfoodjourney.com/recipe/arran-gold-tiramisu
