Isle of Arran, Scotland

A wild trip tracking upland habitats, including rhododendron bashing!

Main Contact: Jonny Eldridge

Dates: 21st  - 30th Aug 2012

How much: £499

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Accommodation: self-catering hostel-style accommodation in Brodick Country Park.

Pre-requisites: All ages 16+ with an interest in the natural environment. Good physical fitness to manage full days in the outdoors.

How to book:

Download the Application Form and the Medical Form and the Parental Consent Form (for under 18s) and post to the office at Brathay Exploration Group, Brathay Hall, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0HP.

About Arran

The beautiful Scottish island of Arran is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde, and the seventh largest Scottish island.  With its jagged granite mountains, rugged coastline with sandy beaches, forests and stunning wildlife it is often referred to as Scotland in miniature.

The National Trust for Scotland owns and manages part of the island - the Goatfell range of mountains and Brodick Castle and Country Park. The spectacular mountains with their fascinating rock formations, were formed during the last ice age.  They   include Goatfell (874m), the islands highest mountain.  Brodick Castle and Country Park includes formal gardens with exotic plants from around the world, parkland and native woodland.  It is the only island country park in Britain. Arran is a great place to see wildlife from Red Deer and Red Squirrels to Golden Eagles, Hen Harriers and Otters.

2012 Expedition

In 2012 the Brathay Exploration Group will be assisting the National Trust for Scotland by carrying out a variety of projects. There may also be the opportunity to undertake your own projects for A-level, Uni. or personal research Fieldwork will be completed on at least two of:

• Bogs are an internationally important habitat – we’ll be monitoring the success of attempts to restore a large area of bog in the Goatfell range.
• The Dwarf Juniper is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan Species with a range and population that has been declining in the UK – NTS have carried out a survey on Goatfell, we’ll be helping to increase their knowledge of the numbers and distribution of this plant across the wider Goatfell range.
• Rhododendron is a very invasive bush which forms dense thickets with little biodiversity value.  NTS have cleared large areas of Rhododendron from the Country Park – we will be setting up monitoring to investigate how the ground flora and woodland is recovering.
• There are several fenced areas where trees have been planted/natural regeneration is occurring.  We will be carrying out surveys and repeat monitoring to look at the success of these projects.

Sample Itinerary

(subject to change)

Day 1      Meet Ardrossan ferry terminal, then 1 hr. ferry journey to Brodick
Day 2      Introduction to NTS Goatfell and Brodick Country Park by Ranger Service.  Start fieldwork.
Day 3-5   Fieldwork, ascent of Goatfell
Day 6      Alternative activity day (TBC e.g. boat trip, practical conservation)
Day 7-9   Complete fieldwork, ascent of Beinn Tarsuinn.
Day 10    Sort results, short presentation to NTS.
Day 11    Depart, ferry to Ardrossan.

Visit the National Trust of Scotland website here