Geology & History

Geography

Geologically Arran is regarded as a unique microcosm of Scottish geology and a geologist's paradise, documenting events of the last 700 million years. In the Glen Sannox area the oldest igneous rocks originated as molten rock on an ancient ocean floor that once separated the Highlands from the Lowlands some 470 million years ago. Earlier rocks, which were formed from sands, silt and mud laid down in an ocean environment over 600 million years ago, are also present and show dramatic evidence of being intruded by granite as molten rock moved upwards through the Earth's crust around 60 million years ago. The granite of Arran’s northern mountains formed when Scotland and Greenland were being pulled apart by continental drift with the formation of the North East Atlantic. About 55 million years ago Arran's peaks, said to have been over 12,000 feet high, became eroded during the ice age, to resemble their present form.

History

With an area of some 167 square miles this, the seventh largest island around Great Britain, has seen continuous human habitation since the early Neolithic period. From the sixth century it was colonised from Ireland and became a centre of religious activity in the sixth century. St. Molais settled on Holy Island and, from there, spread the word of Christianity and ministered to the people of Arran. St Columba is believed to have visited and a number of small chapels and churches sprang up around the Island.

In the 11th century, Arran became part of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles and later came under the direct rule of the Norwegian crown, before being resumed as part of Scotland in the 13th century after the Vikings had been vanquished at Largs and King Somerled killed.
Robert Bruce crossed from Kintyre to Arran, where he spent some time sheltering in the King's Cave, near Machrie, before leading his army across the Island to King's Cross before setting off on his quest for Scotland and many Arran names bear witness to this time.

Brodick Castle has seen action during the Wars of Independence and was captured by the English before being taken back by Scottish troops in 1307. It was again badly damaged by action from English ships in 1406 and was attacked by the Lord of the Isles in 1455. Garrisoned by Cromwell, the castle was considerably extended before the ornate front entrance and tower were added by Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton to mark the marriage of his son to Princess Marie von Baden in the mid 19th century. The property was lost to the Hamilton family as a result of high death duty taxation. Terminated as a happy family home by HM Treasury in 1956, it was granted to the National Trust for Scotland to keep as a museum.