Arran is home to some amazing and beautiful wildlife.
Visit Arran and you’ll discover a land of contrast. Split by the Highland Boundary Fault (an ancient geological ‘tear’), there is the rugged mountain scenery in the north, whilst the south offers a softer pastoral lowland landscape. The result is an island with a range of habitats, mountain, moorland, shores and forest that support a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Birds
Over 200 species of birds have been recorded on Arran; some are just passing migrants whilst others winter here and come to breed. Many however spend all year here with its many habitats Arran gives the chance to see an incredibly wide variety of birds in a small area. More info click here.
Land Animals
Arran has red deer on many of it’s Northern Hills and Golf courses! There is a healthy population of Red Squirrels on the island due to an abundance of their favourite food, fir cones. Badgers and Otters can occasionally be spotted. We also have Mink, bats (particularly Brown Long Eared Bats & Pipistrelles) Adders, including the dark pigmented Black Adder, Common Lizards, Rabbits, Hare, Voles and Toads.
Holy Isle just off the coast of Arran is a beautiful island owned by Buddhist monks. They have wild Soay Sheep, goats and Eriskay ponies, some of the last survivors of the native ponies of the Western Isles of Scotland. More info click here.
Marine animals
As Arran is an island you’re never too far from the sea. Keep an eye out for seals (best places are Kildonan, Brodick Castle and Lochranza), Porpoises, Basking Sharks and even dolphins. You may be lucky enough to see the shy Otter; dusk and dawn are the best times to spot them. More info click here.
Insects
There are lots of insects, dragonflies, butterflies and moths. More info click here.
Underwater
During the wildlife festival it is possible to discover Arran’s underwater world with an introduction to Scotland’s first “No Take Zone”, created in September 2008. Learn what the area closed to all fishing activity hopes to achieve both in regenerating marine life & inspiring other communities to protect their marine environment.
Be inspired by amazing film footage from under the Island’s surrounding seas. www.arrancoast.co.uk . For C.O.A.S.T. Festival Events: COAST Events
For amazing underwater images taken by local diver Angus Robsons, please visit www.arransealife.co.uk.