The island’s community ethos and gentle pace of life are drawing in ever more thirsty visitors… and canny sheep.
NOT so long ago, going “doon the watter” symbolised the great escape.The island idylls of Bute, Cumbrae and Arran offered a sense of peace, away from the industrial clatter of the west central mainland.
Today, the tourism trade on these islands continues to bask in a glow of rude health.
And the “watter” of life is bringing an added dimension to the solace many continue to find – far from the factory floor of modern day living.
“People’s lives are so fast-paced these days,” said Euan Mitchell, managing director of Arran Distillery.
“Whether it’s social media, deadlines or 24/7 supermarkets, for better or for worse, it's never ending.
“Here, in Lochranza in the mountainous north of Arran, phone signal is sporadic and we make a product that takes three years before you actually call it a product.
“And then there’s around a further 10 years before it’s likely to emerge on the market.
“There’s no way of speeding that process up. That natural pace fits the rhythm of island life. I think people like that fact.”
Arran distillery was founded in 1995 and the award winning visitor centre welcomed a record number of folk last year. Around 104,000 people made the journey in 2016 – a 93% increase since 2012, and 18% on 2015.
“The connection between Arran and Glasgow is still very strong,” continued Euan.
Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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