The species of animals found on Arran are distinctive more for what is missing than what is present. For example there are no Foxes, Weasels or Moles, although the role of the ground predator is partly filled by Mink and feral Cats. The absence of some species is thought to result from the separation of Arran from the mainland after the last ice age, before many species had re-established. This separation from the mainland has greatly benefited some of Arran’s mammals as they have not faced competition from introduced species such as the Grey Squirrel. Mammals found on Arran include Red Squirrel, Otters, Red Deer, Badgers, Bats (particularly Brown Long Eared Bats)

Seals, Porpoise, Basking Sharks and occasionally Dolphins and Minke Whales can all be seen in the sea round Arran. The Clyde was once well stocked with fish, but sadly stocks have declined alarmingly over recent decades. An Arran organisation, the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) is at the forefront of trying to reverse this and more information can be found at www.arrancoast.com.