Arran Island and Brodick Castle

Don’t you know you become a slave either to sin and Satan or God and righteousness? You can’t serve two masters either you will hate the one and love the other. You can’t serve God and the demon of greed.

Romans 6:16 Matthew 6:24.( The context of both verses is very interesting)

They say the crossing between Ardrossan (on the mainland of Scotland) to Brodick ( on the island of Arran in Scotland, not to confuse with Aran in Ireland) is most often rough. Why? The Atlantic waves travel West to East, and the ferry travels North to South.

Have you ever watched a crab on the shore crawling backwards in search of the Atlantic Ocean, and missing? That’s the way the mind of man operates. (I thought this really funny and in some cases quite true)

H.L. Mencken 1880-1956 American Journalist , essayist, satirist)

Arran as is often said is a miniature Scotland because of its obvious Highlands and Lowlands and a geologist’s paradise because of its Highland Boundary Fault. Arran belongs to the big three Clyde islands known as A, B, C.

Arran

Bute

Cumbrae

Arran is 43 km long and 432 km square in size. The Vikings arrived in 800 AD, and Scotland bought Arran from them in 1266.

The main town Brodick has a few shops and a castle, Brodick Castle. Let us enter the castle. The entrance is indicative of a shooting lodge with many mounted stag horns on display.

It is carefully explained that fine expensive objects collected by the owners were made often by Slaves or people who were not properly paid for their talented creations. These objects had explanations in the cabinets.

The castle itself is under restoration but we can see a few rooms.

There was an English garrison at Brodick Castle but this did not deter Robert Bruce staying on Arran in 1307 and from here receiving smoke signals to return to the mainland. He was king of the Scots from 1306 -1329, defeated the English and gained Scottish independence at the Battle of Bannock Burn in 1314. He died in 1329 aged 54.

Let us go into the garden.

The walled garden is particularly carefully planted for a light delicate ambience. Floating fluffy grass heads mix with roses, verbena in purple standing tall and dozens of flowers with their long stalks gently swaying in a warm breeze. Let’s go through the bottom garden gate into this walled garden built on a slope.

I would like to include the perfumes from so many plants in the sunshine of a protected sunny space but I will leave the sweetness to your imaginations. It is also special to see the sea from most viewpoints with mature trees and then the flowers.

A delightful place developed with time and care but once out of this area there is a space for red squirrels. No grey squirrels live on the island and so these red ones have thrived.

Leaving the main town and the castle. There are many park ups right next to the sea. The water is cold but people are swimming.

The sun is leaking 

The sun is leaking into the sea
A yellow mix of grey-blue
darkening the land.

Fill the hole
Bring out the paintbrush
Make it stay.

No, it won't 
The day is done.
Tomorrow will be a different day.

Sun or Sun behind a cloud
What matters 
It didn't all leak into the sea.

Sandy 🙂
 

The larger the Island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.

Ralph W. Stockman 1889- 1970 American Pastor of Christ Church ( United Methodist)

Thank you for reading this post.

Sandy 🙂