Isle of Arran: The Fairy Dell, Lochranza

When I woke up I looked out the back window of our glamping pod to another beautiful day. I was thinking about our epic Holy Isle hike the day before and was relieved, as always, that we made it back with no injuries.

There were no achy legs either which is always a bonus!

We had one more full day of exploring the island and today we were going to visit the Fairy Dell at Lochranza. If we had some energy left over after this, a detour along the coastline to search for Ossian’s cave was also planned.

We were driving along the rocky coastline to Lochranza in the north of the island. It was looking fabulous in the sunshine with sandy patches appearing in the low tide. The beaches along the coast road were pulling me to walk on them, but we kept driving knowing our planned walk would be a longer distance today. I even had to miss my favourite rocky beach at Imachar which I love exploring.

We arrived at a parking area on Newton Road beside the Lochranza sea loch. The sea loch looks so different when the tide is out, but when we return the tide will be back in and will look more picturesque.

We were welcomed by the local sheep who wander and live in this beautiful place.

Sheep and their young lambs were also huddled together under a tree beside a boat, sheltering from the sun.

Sometimes the red deer are grazing in the fields or the nearby golf course, but not today. They were possibly hiding in a shaded place as well. Sensible creatures they are.

One year we watched the red deer enjoy an evening paddle in the sea loch. Below is a video clip from my Instagram account. It was so amazing to watch them and they were also watching us!

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Walk to the Fairy Dell

In all the 17 years we’ve been visiting the island we never found out exactly where the Fairy Dell was in Lochranza.

The first time we walked along the coastline from Lochranza to Laggan Cottage, Alan pointed to a white cottage and told me it was the Fairy Dell. We were marching on as it was a long walk and I didn’t explore further. My thoughts at the time were that it didn’t look very fairy like to me. Little did I know there was a small woodland area and burn behind the house that was known as the Fairy Dell.

We could have followed the circular route around the coastline first as suggested on Walk Highlands: Fairy Dell, but we walked anticlockwise along the gravel road instead.

I was keen to visit the Home of the Arran Stonemen, The Whins Crafts Workshop, where hand painted stone characters and animals are created from locally collected rocks. No cars are allowed to drive to the workshop as there are no parking spaces, walking only. It was a gradual incline up the hill with beautiful trees along the way.

We made it to the workshop. What a fabulous place up on the hill overlooking Lochranza Bay. Two guys were sitting outside when we arrived and one started playing his guitar and mouth organ.

I apologised for interrupting their peace, tranquility and playing then I later read online they sometimes play for customers when they visit. It was lovely and I felt relaxed being there.

When I stepped inside it was like an Old Curiosity Shop with so many interesting things to look at. I felt like a child in a new toy shop and could have spent ages in here. It was also cooler in the workshop compared to the temperature outside.

I really wanted to buy a stone ornament to take home with me, but it was cash only which I rarely carry with me now. Click or tap on the gallery below to see larger photos of the shop.

Luckily I remembered I had £10 stuffed in my phone case! I had to go to the cashline machine the night before for our Chinese takeaway as it was a cash only payment for the food too. Yay, I had enough to buy a small stone fairy toadstool which seemed perfect as I was going to visit the Fairy Dell next.

This tree beside the shop had a sign beside it saying it was a Kapuka tree originally from New Zealand.

What a fabulous wee shop and location to sit outside and jam together in music.

I said cheerio, and that we were off to look for the fairies… maybe they were thinking I was away with the fairies 😂. They must get talk like this a lot, especially with the young ones, not an oldie like me.

I like to have fun though, using my imagination about places I visit to make it more exciting and it’s like creating my own storybook. My inner child is still there looking for the magic and escapism now and then.

We continued walking along the road where the views were just so beautiful and we saw more memorial benches along the way.

Click or tap on the gallery below to see larger photos of the bench memorials and stunning views.

The dirt road came to an end and we reached a path lined with lush green fern swaying in the wind. The purple foxglove was peeking up from above the fern, looking very tall and joining in with the swaying in the wind dance.

As I ventured into the enchanting gateway to the fairy realm, I couldn’t help but feel happy and alive.

I was loving this walk so much! The Isle of Arran was showing me a whole new place and views I had never saw before. The weather helped too of course, and there was a cool breeze as I was walking on higher ground above the coastline.

The path quickly took us downhill towards the coast with more stunning views on the decent.

We soon entered a small area of trees. I could hear a soft sound of running water and I knew we were close to the white cottage. This must be it I thought, a small grassy area with trees and a burn.

We both stepped down towards the crystal clear trickling burn called Allt Mòr. I love to explore further, rather than just quickly look and go.

It was only a small burn, but the sunlight shining on the water created so much beauty.

Maybe the name Fairy Dell was making me think of my surroundings differently. This place could have felt different on a dull rainy day.

Alan tested an old GoPro 5 Black under the water for the first time. There wasn’t much to see in the burn though. I was hoping to see small fish or at least something moving under the water. It was good to know that the GoPro really was waterproof and we’ll try it again another time.

A few small steps across the burn took me to a long grassy area beside the white cottage.

As I watched the long grass and scattered wildflowers dancing in the wind, all I could hear were the birds singing, the wind whispering, and the distant sound of the sea waves. It was calm and peaceful.

I crouched down low to admire a fairy-sized view of the grass and pretty flowers in their natural surroundings. The light today made this place look quite enchanting! ✨

I was imagining I lived in the white cottage and I could lie in the grass at the Fairy Dell or walk along the coastline any time I wanted to.

As I walked back across the burn I saw a tiny fairy bench! I didn’t notice this before as it was partially hidden in the long grass and fern. There was even stone toadstools from The Whins workshop hidden in the grass.

A beautiful magical memorial, I love it.

The memorial plaque reads:

In loving memory of Bill Stark.

A wee resting place for the fairies at his favourite spot.

1928-1997

This is a short video of the Fairy Dell I created on my Instagram.

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A post shared by Dawn-Marie | 📍Ayrshire (@loveexploringscotland)

Looking back up at the Fairy Dell, at least I now know where to turn off if we ever walk the coastal way the next time. It’s a beautiful circular loop to walk in either direction.

My next story will be about finding Ossian’s Cave further along the coastline. I hope we find it! 😀

If you are thinking of visiting the Isle of Arran, have a look at my other Isle of Arran stories for more inspiration.

Thanks for reading, it is always appreciated.

Love, Dawn-Marie x