sheila gilmore visit arran

About VisitArran

VisitArran is our island’s not-for-profit destination management organisation (DMO).

We work closely with businesses and community groups to make sure that Arran remains an ‘island in balance’: Community, Environment: Economy. This is essential as we need to protect the island’s natural resources for residents and visitors for years to come. The company was established back in 2007 with just a few businesses and now we have over 240 businesses, representing all sectors: Accommodation, Activity, Attraction, Food & Drink, Retail, Services, and also local charities.

On a daily basis we deal with visitor concerns, accommodation requests and social media. We are recognised as a leading DMO and and excellent conduit for information. As such we liase with VisitScotland, Scottish Tourism Alliance, Scottish Government, North Ayrshire Council, CalMac, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and indeed many other agencies on an ad hoc basis.

The company is registered with Companies House and is managed by a Board of voluntary Directors, all living and working on Arran, each giving of their time and representing different aspects of Arran’s vibrancy. For 2023/24, the Board of Directors is as follows:

• Andrew Walsh.   Andrew is our Chair, and is probably best known as the owner of Arran Active where he can often be spotted on the shop floor! A real outdoor enthusiast, Andrew is also very community focussed which makes him a great chairman to have!
• Tom Jessop . Tom is our Vice Chair and also our Finance Director. Tom and his wife Emma own and run Balmichael Glamping and Arran Alpacas , with their three young sons. As Mrs J also teaches, Tom is very hands on in all aspects of both businesses
• Lorna Gunaydi. Lorna's family has run the Old Byre Showroom for 40 + years. Lorna and her husband Hamza expanded the business with Café Thyme , the Shoe Bothy and great outdoor play, to become the Old Byre Visitor Centre.  She also runs The Byre @Brodick
• Robbie Crawford . Robbie’s family has owned and managed the Kinloch Hotel for over 65 yrs. The hotel is the second biggest on Arran and is the largest employer in the west of the island. Kinloch also plays a big part in community life in Shiskine Valley.
• Jude King. Jude keeps us on track with all things environmental, which is vital if we are to remain an island in balance, our environment needs to be at the core of all activity. She works with NAC on Community Wealth Building, which is at the heart of everything VisitArran does!
• Chris Traill . Chris is a co-Director of Lochranza Centre CIC . Although this is a residential outdoor centre, Chris also delivers activity sessions for families when time permits, and is very involved in the community. Chris is also a Trustee for our sister company, the Arran Trust .
• Sarah Pomfret. In her past career, Sarah worked for Scottish Enterprise, and now works with her husband in Number 16 Arran , delivering pop-up restaurants all over Arran – and she’s a celebrant!
• Rachel Armitage . Rachel and her husband run several businesses. These include Arran Haulage , Armitage Groundworks and Park Avenue Caravan Park – a very varied portfolio which makes Rachel a busy lady indeed!
• Ailsa Currie . Ailsa and her husband farm at Bellevue , and she has diversified into Farm Tours, which make a real impact, following the field-to-fork ethos. Ailsa is our agritourism expert, and is one of Scotland’s Regional Food Ambassadors.

VisitArran’s day-to-day operations are led by a small staff team. This includes liaising with businesses, community and stakeholders, dealing with visitor queries, and making sure any marketing messages encourage sustainable tourism. The staff team are:

• Sheila Gilmore. Sheila is the Chief Executive for VisitArran, and has worked for the company – and the Arran Trust - since 2012. Sheila’s role is very varied! She is also a member of the Destination Forum, and the Policy Strategy Group for the Scottish Tourism Alliance.
• Katie Murchie. Katie is the Customer Services Assistant and lives on the island’s only dairy farm, at Tigheanfraoch. You might see her popping on to stock up the ferry desk, or dealing directly with your visitor queries.
• Erin McAllister. Erin shares the Customer Service role with Katie and has a long association with and love for Arran.

Whatever your Arran query, even if not directly related to tourism, we are here to help – if we don’t know, we will know someone who does!

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ABOUT THE TRUST

About the Arran Trust

The trustees.

KENNETH BONE

Local farmer Kenneth, is Chairman of the Arran Trust and he also runs a hydro scheme. Kenneth is interested in renewable energy, caring for Arran's environment and is involved with many local organisations, including Arran Economic Group, Arran Development Trust and the local Forestry Commission panel as well as hosting the Arran Farmers Show.

Click here to visit our Just Giving Page where you can securely make a donation to the Arran Trust.

Tom is a founder member of the Arran Trust and until recently, ran an outdoor activity businesses, alongside his self catering apartments.  Tom is very aware of the importance of Arran's natural beauty for our sustainability as a destination, and is Chairman of Arran Economic Group.

ROBERT WAINE

Living in Blackwaterfoot, Robert has always been actively involved in the island life, and is one of the community's volunteer path builders. He is a Director of Arran Access Trust, Chairman of Shiskine Valley Improvements SCIO, and Secretary/Treasurer (and active Team Member) with Arran Mountain Rescue Team.

CHRIS TRAILL

As well as being an outdoor instructor, Chris is one of the Directors of Lochranza Centre CIC. A family man, he's also very involved in the community at the north end of the island, and is often seen at key local events in his capacity as owner and instructor of ABC First Aid Training.

MARGIE CURRIE

Through her previous roles as farmer, councillor, NFU rep, and Trustee with Arran Access Trust, Margie is a 'weel kent' face on Arran. She demonstrates great knowledge and understanding of our island environment and also sits of the Executive Committee of Arran Council for Voluntary Service.

HENRY MURDO

With a wealth of experience on Arran's natural sustainability, Henry has always been involved in environmental issues.  A volunteer pathbuilder, and member of Arran Mountain Rescue team, Henry has also propogated the native, and endangered Arran and Cacacol Whitebeam saplings before planting out in protected areas on Arran.

ANGELA ELLIOT WALKER

Angela formerly ran a guest house in Brodick, but now concentrates on self catering and her stunning artwork.  Inspired by Arran's natural beauty Angela's works can be seen all over the island, and she is a founder of Arran Art Trail.

SHEILA GILMORE

Sheila is a native of the island, and is passionate about all things Arran, being actively involved in island community life. Sheila manages the Arran Trust, alongside her day job of Chief Executive of VisitArran, dealing with all correspondence and communications, liaising with applicants and forwarding applications for consideration by Trustees. She can often be found walking the Arran hills with her wee dog Archie.

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Sheila Gilmore

Ceo visitarran.

Sheila has led the award winning, not for profit DMO for the beautiful Isle of Arran since 2012.  Arran is an island in balance – community, environment, economy – and it is this collaborative approach which benefits, community, residents and visitors alike. Alongside  VisitArran , Sheila leads on the Arran Trust , the island’s visitor gifting scheme, which generates income for environmental and conservational projects, that are community-led.

Behind the Audio: Meet the Host of VisitArran's Sheila Gilmore

Meet the wonderful host behind the VisitArran podcast. We sat down with Sheila Gilmore, the star behind the VisitArran podcast, to find out more about what it was like recording the podcast and where Shelia's passion for the island comes from. 

Q.1 Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and why you’re so passionate about Arran?

I'm a native Arranach, and I think if you cut me in half I would say Arran right through my middle (like a stick of rock!). Arran has so much to offer in terms of scenery, food & drink and activities, and I want to share that sustainably with everyone, but to be honest it's the community of the island that does it for me.  I've always been actively involved in community life - I've Chaired the Community Council, the Drama Association, the village hall - I've been part of the school parent council and improvements committee, organised fundraisers, produced youth and adult drama, etc. I think it's these sort of things that demonstrate what a fantastic place Arran is to live.  And if something's good for the community, then it's good for the islanders - and in turn will be good for visitors too.  People want authenticity and localism - Arran has that in spades!

Q.2 Were there any anecdotes or stories around collecting the interviews for the mini pod series?

There were so many people we could have asked, and the really tricky bit was getting a variety!  We wanted to get across the characters of the island, and I think we did that, with a good cross-representation of ages and genders from around Arran.  There were a couple of funny stories such as when Phyllis came away with a great bit about her farmer husband pulling someone's car out with his tractor - except it was at Cleats Shore, which is a nudist beach,  and when John turned up they were naked! Or when Robbie mentioned casually about the pop-up pub, or Chris mentioned everything in Lochranza except his own centre which is amazing - and it was great to keep all that in I thought. 

Q3. What do you think listeners will take away from this mini-pod series?

Hopefully people will get a true reflection of Arran, and what our island means to us.  Each village is different, but the one strand throughout is that collectively Arran is a living, working community, and sometimes people might not understand that; when the visitors leave, we are all still here, pulling cars out of ditches, and visiting the pop-up pub! Arran is more than happy to share all it offers with people who, through the podcasts, can perhaps understand a little more about each area.

Be sure to listen in to the VisitArran podcast here 👈

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Make a splash with Arran’s new Snorkel Trail

The sea surrounding the Isle of Arran on the west coast of Scotland is bursting with marine life. For over a decade, parts of the area have been highly protected against any extraction and therefore an abundance of fauna and flora inhabit the waters making them a special and unique place to explore.

A new snorkel trail featuring some of Arran’s most beautiful bays and beaches was launched on Saturday 17 th July. The self-led trail identifies areas for beginner and advanced snorkellers to explore all around Arran’s coast and discover what lies beneath the island’s waves.

Visit Arran’s Chief Executive, Sheila Gilmore, believes that “ the Arran Snorkel Trail will be a great addition to Arran’s offering – both for visitors and islanders who want to find out more about what’s going on under our seas! The Arran Trust are delighted to have been able to support the initial snorkel taster sessions three years ago, and COAST are to be congratulated for joining with the Scottish Wildlife Trust to develop the new trail.”

The Arran Snorkel Trail – which joins part of an expanding network of trails around Scotland – has been developed in partnership by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) as part of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Living Seas programme, with support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Bruce Wilson, Public Affairs Manager, Scottish Wildlife Trust said:  “ As part of our Living Seas programme we are trying to raise awareness of the amazing life beneath our waves and encouraging snorkelling is a great way to do this. People often associate snorkelling with exotic locations like the Caribbean, but Scotland’s seas have just as much to offer, even if they are a few degrees colder.

“It’s been great to work with the passionate team at COAST, who are instrumental in many great local, regional and national marine conservation projects. This is a very special island and getting under the water reveals even more of this great place.”

The waters of Arran are increasingly popular with visiting scuba divers and with the launch of the new snorkel trail, the partnership charities hope that locals and visitors alike are encouraged to get in the water and inspired to fight for the protection of our seas.

“ To truly believe in something, you need to see it for yourself ” says COAST’s Outreach and Communications Manager, Jenny Stark : “ Our seas are in a precarious position and it is up to all of us to do our part to help protect them. With the launch of the snorkel trail on Arran, we hope that more people are encouraged to get in the water to see for themselves the wonderful marine life that lives here and therefore want to take steps to protect it. ”

Arran’s MSP Kenneth Gibson, who was instrumental in getting the high level of protection for the waters around Arran, recognises the value that this trail can bring to the region: “ Marine tourism accounts for 14% of all of Scotland’s tourism and I am delighted to see the Arran Snorkel Trail come to fruition as I believe it will really add value to Arran and put the island up there as a sustainable marine holiday destination. Thanks to COAST and the local community, Arran’s wealth of marine life has seen remarkable recovery in the last decade; it is great that locals and visitors now have a guide to afford them the opportunity to see it for themselves.”

You can download the  Arran Snorkel Trail leaflet here , or pick up your own copy at the COAST Discovery Centre in Lamlash on the Isle of Arran.

We also recommend reading the blog by travel writer and broadcaster Robin McKelvie as he, and his family, were the first to officially take a dip at one of the sites following the launch!

COAST   Old Pavilion    Lamlash  Isle of Arran   Scotland   KA27 8LS   Tel: 01770 600 656 Community of Arran Seabed Trust      Company No. SC299917      Registered Charity in Scotland No. SC042088

Arran: The island with sandy beaches and palm trees that the Scots were keeping secret

Local holidaymakers have long known the charms of 'scotland in minature', but visitors from elsewhere in the uk are now catching on to its attractions – from gin to paddleboarding.

Compared to the well-worn charms of Skye in the Hebrides and Orkney in the Northern Isles, few visitors to the country join savvy Scots sailing to Arran. That is a serious mistake as Scotland’s seventh largest isle is also arguably its most eclectic and fastest changing: an oasis now tempting travellers from outside Scotland .

I’m lucky: my parents sailed me “doon the watter” (down the Firth of Clyde) every summer, a tradition I continue with my own kids. We’ve just arrived and I’m tucking into a wrap of locally caught salmon at the Little Rock Café with Sheila Gilmore from the not-for-profit destination management company, Visit Arran.

“After the first lockdown we really noticed a big bounce with staycationers from all over the UK . The secret is out and that’s continuing this year. That helps local tourism businesses push on, so it’s a win-win,” says Gilmore as the improbably dramatic peak of 2,867ft (874m) Goatfell rises up across Brodick Bay behind her.

Climbing Goatfell is something of a rite of passage for Glaswegians, but it’s just one of Arran’s volley of impressive natural attractions. Arran has been lauded as “Scotland in Miniature” and it really is: the Highland Boundary Fault forges through Arran’s core, sculpting its way north into Tolkien-esque crags and knife-edge ridges; wild glens tumbling to rocky shores. The south is gentler: sweeping sandy beaches and thick forest recline by palm trees. Yes, palm trees – Arran’s climate is warmed by the Gulf Stream.

We throw ourselves into this wildscape with the Lochranza Centre, one of what is now a wave of adventure outfits. “This year we’re seeing people from all over the UK, who want to reboot and recharge,” says our guide, Chris Traill, as we strap on wetsuits and helmets bound for gorge walking in North Glen Sannox. We bash up waterfalls, slide down rock slabs and plunge into pools. Stress and sense of time dissolve.

In the afternoon we ease out with the Lochranza Centre again across aquarium-clear waters. We are ­canoeing under big skies and spot one of the local golden eagles soaring on the thermals. Arran is the only island with all of Scotland’s Big Five wildlife . In just three days we also see common seals at Corrie, red deer driving over the String Road, an otter splashing off Pirnmill, and red squirrels in the grounds of ­Brodick Castle.

Brodick Castle is the grandest of a swathe of historic sites on Arran. Another castle glowers at Lochranza, yet another at Kildonan. The famous standing stones and circles invoke awe on Machrie Moor, backed up by a flurry of further stones and circles around an island that was no secret to our ancestors.

In Neolithic times life focused on the fertile Shiskine Valley and Arran is still famed for its produce with “Taste of Arran” the local marketing brand. The acclaimed local milk is dispensed from vending machines and turned into one of Scotland’s finest blue cheeses – Arran Blue.

There are distilleries at Lochranza and Lagg, breweries at Cladach and Lamlash, an Arran Gin, a chocolatier, a coffee roaster and fishermen dish up boat-fresh lobster, langoustines and scallops.

I hear of Ian, a single fisherman who supplies six restaurants.

The Brodick Brasserie meanwhile has brought fine-dining to Arran under inspirational young chef Timur Jay Ünal. His tasting menu is a delight, accompanied by an immaculately curated flight of wines.

À la carte offers the likes of Gigha halibut in a pea and truffle purée, laced with morels and a crispy Granny Smith spiced oyster.

I meet Ünal’s proud mother, who says: “Timur has travelled the world and now he’s bringing all those influences and passion to Arran.”

Hotels and B&Bs sprinkle Arran’s east coast, too. We’re back at our favourite, the Auchrannie. The only resort in the Scottish isles boasts a brace of swimming pools, a spa, a soft-play centre and outdoor activities. Restaurants, too, including Cruize, which dances that fine staycation line of keeping kids and big kids happy, with enough variety for couples and groups.

It’s less than a year since I was last on Arran, but new options burst out all over. Arran Active now rents out paddleboards, Arran Bike Hire can set you up with an e-bike and Coast Discovery Centre runs guided sessions that check out the new snorkelling trails. “Don a snorkel mask and you can experience the 280 sq km South Arran Marine Protected Area with its world of marine wonders,” says Jenny Crockett, Coast’s outreach and communications manager.

Our last morning is spent with Grant Ross. Not content with ferrying monks across to the island they own, Holy Isle, his Lamlash Cruises now include trips around it, opening up a protected reserve where rare Soay sheep, Eriskay ponies and Saanen goats roam wild. We see all three; porpoises and seals, too. “I wanted to give people the chance to see a totally different island that has been frozen in time, a place where the animals hold sway,” says Ross.

As always, the ferry back to the mainland beckons too soon on Arran, but I have time to squeeze in Arran Botanical Drinks. Owner Stuart Fraser says they forage local botanicals for Arran Gin, and do a mean cider and cassis too, at a beach bar overlooking Brodick Bay.

“Arran is changing so we wanted to bring something fresh for our new arrivals, offer exciting drinks using the flavours around us, and offer an experience,” explains Fraser.

Travel essentials Getting there CalMac ferries to Arran sail from Ardrossan, with a combined ticket covering the rail trip from Glasgow Central for foot passengers, calmac.co.uk Where to stay Doubles at the Auchrannie Resort from £168, auchrannie.co.uk More information visitarran.com

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Ferry failures damaging tourism on the Isle of Arran

The beautiful Island of Arran usually sees an influx of tourists in the spring but ferry cancellations are putting visitors off. Lucette Wood reports

The Isle of Arran, like many of Scotland’s islands relies on tourism as a major part of their economy, and unreliable ferry services are having an impact on tourist numbers this season.

Climbing Goat Fell mountain is one of the most popular activities to do in one of Scotland’s most popular destinations, yet on a sporadically nice spring day, there isn’t a soul other than myself around. The appeal of visiting a beautiful peaceful Scottish island is usually high on visitors lists but this season many are opting to skip it because it’s a bit of an ordeal to get here.

The Island is one of Scotland’s most popular tourist destinations, often being referred to as Scotland in miniature as the island has a blend of the country’s iconic landscapes from lowland meadows to mountainous highlands.

In 2019, 441,000 tourists visited the island, bringing in an estimated £69 million. The last three years have been difficult for tourism due to covid uncertainty with the current cost of living crisis local businesses were hoping for a return to pre-covid figures. Before the pandemic, there was an upward trend in overnight visitors in Scotland with 2019 being the best performing year from over the last decade.

A combination of an ageing fleet and a new ticketing service is causing the issues, the island usually has two vessels taking passengers two and from the island but currently is down to one vessel.

Sheila Gilmore is the Chief Executive of the destination management organisation Visit Arran and the tourism representative on the Arran Ferry Committee. She said: “Every business in Arran is impacted by tourism. It’s everybody’s business. Our colleagues up in the north of Scotland, the North Coast 500, Skye, they are all having really good seasons. We are not and you have to say to yourself why is that?”

There is also concern about negative media of ferry cancellations putting visitors off and causing reputational damage. Gilmore said: “On the island, it is everywhere you go, people talk about the ferries all the time and it’s depressing for visitors as well because if they do get here, that’s all they hear all the time. It’s not a positive scenario for anybody.”

The Moffat Centre is a consultancy and research centre for tourism and travel. A representative from the centre said: “Consumer sentiment studies over the years regularly show that convenience and ease of travel are key factors for tourism perception of a destination, therefore any barrier to travel to a visitor’s destination will not be favourable in a visitor review and word of mouth or consumer-generated reviews are a major factor in how others view a destination.

“Based on anecdotal evidence from island tourism businesses, the ongoing ferry situation is seen as a burden to operation. Therefore tourism is an important creator of enterprise and jobs for island communities and as a contributor to the local economy.”

A lack of tourists has an impact on businesses across the whole island. Gilmore said: “If all of our accommodation providers are struggling with people cancelling and not booking that impacts the discretional spend across the whole island. It means that there are less people to spend money in the shops, in the cafes, the bars, the restaurants and on activities.”  

The ferry cancellations don’t just impact tourists visiting the island, residents on the island are becoming increasingly frustrated and left feeling isolated by the unreliable service and the impact this is having on their daily lives. The ferries are a lifeline to daily life on the island with stock levels in shops, education and even medical care all being impacted by cancellations.

Gilmore said: “I feel very let down by everyone up there in Holyrood. None of them are islanders. They haven’t a clue about the impact it has on your life. Every MSP in Holyrood just sat there and watched this happen and now they are using it to win votes. It’s not about that, it’s about people’s lives.”

These Ferry issues are not exclusive to Arran, many of Scotland Islands are being hit with similar cancellations and breakdowns of old boats. New boats are being deployed but have been met with delays and there is debate about which vessels are deployed to which ports. Day trippers have recently been advised against visiting the Isle of Mull due to the issues.  

Ferry operator CalMac introduced a new ticketing system at the start of May but since the introduction it has been hit with bugs causing more issues with overbookings and cancellations.    

Whilst the nature activities, wildlife and beauty means that the island will be a tourist destination for years to come and it is unlikely to lose its appeal. The short time issues will mean that many local businesses which gave the island some of its character will be forever lost.

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Arran ferry: How disruption to the lifeline service impacts the island

The ferry operates between Ardrossan and Brodick.

The Isle of Arran in North Ayrshire is famed for its stunning scenery, holiday atmosphere and award winning hospitality.

It even claimed the top spot of West FM's 101 Awesome Things About Ayrshire.

But what happens when it's cut off from the mainland?

It's a scenario all too familiar for residents and businesses on the island, as well as tourists.

The ferry service runs from Ardrossan, but a string of technical problems and bad weather has often meant delays, cancellations, and even days without a single boat reaching Arran.

Add a global pandemic to the mix and now the ferry is running at reduced capacity.

The Arran Recovery Group estimates problems with the ferry and the COVID-19 pandemic has cost the island's economy £58m.

The figure comes following research from the Fraser of Allander Institute highlighting how islands contribute tens of millions of pounds to the country's finances every year.

Sheila Gilmore is the Chief Executive of Visit Arran and says the impact is about much more than the economy though. She says, "Having the ferry isn't just going away for a day's jolly. It's more about things that are important to people's lives. Everything comes in through the ferry and we don't have other options.

"A young local girl wants to sit her driving test, but can't get booked on the ferry to get over for lessons.

"There are all sorts of things that people want to travel for and just can't.

"It's a shame for the businesses and a shame for visitors who don't want to come in case they can't get home."

Robbie Crawford runs the Kinloch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot. He says, "A year ago in January, there were three days the ferry didn't sail at all. We were supposed to have a full hotel and ended up with 12 or 13 people, as opposed to 80 or 90.

"All our supplies, beer, fruit and veg comes in via the ferry. That's not just us, that's local shops and everything on the island.

"The main industry is tourism and the Ardrossan-Brodick route is the busiest in the whole service. Tourism wise, it's going to put people off if they can't get a regular, consistent service."

Many groups set up to represent businesses on the island have taken their concerns to the Government, including Alastair Dobson from Taste of Arran. He says, "God forbid if anyone was to blow up the M8, because that's what it feels like. That wouldn't be as damaging because there are other routes between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

"If we can't get stuff back and forward, it's amazing how quickly the whole system and supply chain breaks down.

"There are one million passengers on the ferry every year. It demands a bit more attention. The added costs to businesses on Arran bringing goods to the island is just colossal.

"For many years, we have been promised a better service and better boats, but because of things outwith our control that's not happened.

"It's shambolic at the moment."

"Taking these matters very seriously."

A new ferry had been promised for the route to help minimise the disruption.

It was due to enter service in 2018, but has been delayed four years until late 2022 because of problems with its design and build.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "The Minister for Transport recently held a constructive meeting with local elected representatives where he heard directly of the specific issues and challenges faced by their constituencies. The MSPs welcomed the early meeting and took confidence that the Minister understands and is taking these matters very seriously. They agreed to continue this important dialogue as Government addresses the key issues facing the ferries network.

“We recognise communities’ frustration at the recent disruption and the impact it is having. We are doing everything that we can, supporting Calmac to maximise available capacity across the network and to ensure the timely resolution of these issues.

“We are also delivering new tonnage to support our communities and working with CMAL, Calmac, MSPs, community representatives and others to develop investment programmes for major vessels and small vessels - investing at least £580 million over the next five years.

“In relation to short term issues, we are actively exploring opportunities for chartering additional tonnage and looking at other credible, affordable and viable options to improve resilience.”

West FM has also contacted CalMac, which operates the ferry, to ask for a response.

Hear all the latest news from across Ayrshire on the hour, every hour, at West FM. Listen on FM, via our West FM app, on your DAB radio, online at WESTFM.co.uk, or say ‘Play WEST FM’ on your Smart Speaker.