Quilter, artist, Voice reader – Sandy Small Proudfoot Sandy, who lives in Canada, recently got in touch with us at the Voice, sharing her connection to Arran. She first came to the island in the 1990s, through the late Jean Holmes and her sisters, Jessie and Mary, who grew up on Arran when their minister …
As 2022, Scotland’s Year of Stories comes to a close, we have brought together a few of the Arran stories from the COAST project. Over the past couple of years, hundreds of stories have been collected by 32 local story gatherers, as well as through online submissions and workshops, from across the west coast that …
Personal reflections from Peter Finlay The small group of white cottages that shine for you on the lower slopes of Goatfell as you cross the Firth on your way to Arran is well known in some ways but it also has its lesser known stories. The most forgotten people are those without whom there never …
With the summer tourist season coming to a close, and in the context of the demolition of the old pier, Arran resident Jim Henderson has written an historical account of travel to Arran. Information taken from Arran population census 1961 3700, 1971 3564, 1991 4474. The ‘Comet’ was launched in 1812, and within 10 years, …
As a new chapter of the Scotland’s Year of Stories was announced last month, here is a lovely piece of Arran history from the Ayrshire Heritage and Cultural Services Facebook page on 21st June. The Ormidale hotel was built for the painter George Edwards Hering in the 1850s. On this day….in 1846, Marion Adams-Acton was …
By David Pott In a secluded spot on the Isle of Arran stands an attractive church which has a strong Macmillan association and which this year celebrates its 200th anniversary. Sannox Congregational Church was built in 1822, but its history prior to the building of the church itself is a particularly fascinating one… In 1800 …
At the end of Part 3, Robert the Bruce arrived at Turnberry Castle in Ayrshire, where the group met up with James Douglas, just south of the Castle area, who gave news of the English occupation. Robert rallied his troops and with his knowledge of the area and of the strengths and weaknesses of the …
At the end of part two of Jim Henderson’s account, we heard that during the later part of January 1307, two of Robert de Brus’ staunchest supporters arrived in Rathlin to join him. Sir Robert Boyd and Sir James Lord Douglas then volunteered to sail with 20 men to investigate the strength of the English …
In last month’s Voice for Arran we published the first part of a talk by Charles Currie that he gave at the Arran Saltire Society’s meeting on 23rd February 2022. Over the years as a young boy going on holiday to Drumadoon farm, Charles remembers the family calling the group of stones at the foot …
A talk by Charles Currie given at the Arran Saltire Society’s meeting on 23rd February 2022, published in two parts in the Voice – Charles Currie, farmed Drumadoon Farm from 1972 until 1988, succeeding his Grandfather and Great grandfather, both James Currie. Featured image shows Malvina’s grave with Drumadoon beyond. Photo credit: Charles Currie. Over …