Machrie Bay Golf Course - After the fire

Machrie Bay Golf Course enjoying the winter sunshine

It's hard to believe on a beautiful day like today what we all woke up to on January 5th this year.  The morning was cold and wet, befitting the atmosphere of gloom.  News quickly spread around the island that there had been a fire at Machrie Bay Golf Course and the greenkeepers sheds had been raised to the ground.


Nothing but smoke and ashes left

It is hard to comprehend the damage that was caused by the fire and the total devastation that was left.  Nothing could be recovered from such an intense fire as the metal was warped and twisted by the heat. The remains of the roof draped over plant and machinery allowing items such as fertilizer to smolder for hours (actually days!).  Little could be done and the long process of recovery began.

Remains of the tractor

First there were the police enquiries and then all the dealings with the insurance company.  David the greenkeeper was totally devastated by the loss.  It was not just the machinery but all the things he had collected over years, including comprehensive diaries on the greens.  Other clubs on the island rallied with spare equipment to make sure the greens stayed open and fit for use, and the tearoom, which fortunately was undamaged became the bolt hole during the worst of the weather.


Remains of two mowers



Progress is slow as a full new build needs to go back through planning permission and building control to ensure it meets with any new legislation so it will be a while before everything is back to normal.  However, we are confident that the greens will stay open and in great condition - mainly due to David's expertise and the continuing support from other clubs on the island.

Remains of oil filled radiator

Machrie Bay Golf course is one of 7 on the island, there is also a driving range.  More can be found out about the golf courses at Golf on Arran, which also has full details about the Arran Golf Pass.



Crossing the Clyde

Caledonian Isles coming into Brodick

As the Isle of Arran is a true island, the only way to reach Dougarie is by boat or helicopter, unlike some other Scottish islands which have airports or bridges.

Late afternoon sailing with Arran in the distance

 It has to be said that there is something special about getting on the ferry, whether it’s to return home or for a holiday, cares melt away once that gangplank is crossed.

Looking back towards Ardrossan on a clear calm day

The main ferry service runs from Ardrossan with 5 return crossings from Monday to Saturday and 4 on a Sunday.  In the summer an additional ferry runs on Friday evenings. 

The late ferry berthed at Brodick in winter

Foot passengers do not  have to book, but vehicles should book in advance, especially in the summer when the peak time journeys get booked up.  We always remind people who are coming to stay at Dougarie to make sure they remember to book.

A cold winters day keeps the passengers inside

The Adrossan to Brodick ferry is the Caledonian Isles, a large ferry with a café, coffee shop and, in the summer, a staffed information desk.  The journey takes about 55 minutes, so plenty of time to have a walk around the decks.

Disembarking from the smaller ferry at Lochranza

There is a smaller ferry which runs to the north of the island, also run by Calmac, between Claonaig and Lochranza.  There is only one crossing a day in the winter but there are 9 in the summer (8 on a Sunday).  This crossing only takes about 30 minutes and usually there is no requirement to book.

The snow capped mountains of Arran in the distance

Full information on the ferries and services available can be found here.

The bells gets it's daily polish

Red deer on Arran

Red deer stag

There are 4 species of wild deer in Scotland but only one on Arran – the Red Deer. The red deer is easily recognisable and can be found on the open hills throughout the year and is often seen from the String Road.

Deer roaming through the glen 

Since the native wolf population disappeared there are no natural predators of deer, but numbers do not range out of control as Mother Nature naturally culls by providing harsh winters and limited food supplies.  In addition, there is an active Deer Management policy across Arran. Deer on Arran are counted every March, using helicopters to access more remote glens, and these numbers help to determine management policies

A Hind  

The stags weigh around 150 – 240 kg, and the hinds 110 – 170kg.  Stags are typically around 4 foot tall at the shoulder, but the neck, head and antlers make them appear much larger.

The velvet covering on new antlers

The antlers are shed each year at the end of winter.  New growth is covered with velvet, before this is shed to reveal the calcified horn below. October is the time of the mating season, known as the rut.  Bellows ring out through the glens and stags can be seen pacing parallel to each other as they assess their components size before either retreating or fighting to secure harems of hinds. If a fight does happen, serious injury can be inflicted by the antlers.  After the rut, at the start of winter coats become thicker and in stags a ‘mane’ can sometimes be seen.

Stags often collect branches and other debris on their antlers during the rut - it may be an attempt to make the antlers appear larger and therefore be a more formidable opponent. 

Brodick Castle has an amazing collection of 87 mounted stag heads adorning the walls of the main hall and staircase. These show off the antlers and just how lethal a weapon they can be.  A stag with 14 points is known as an Imperial, and one with 12 points a Royal.  Large numbers of points are only found in mature stags.

2 Stags in winter coats

Red deer, as wild animals, belong to no-one, however, the right to shoot an animal lies with the owner of the land and this is done through stalking, usually with a trained gamekeeper and only at certain times of the year.