Isle of Arran with a teenager

[5Foot5]

DH and I have been to Arran once before but it was nearly 25 years ago when we were a young, newly married couple.

This August we are going for a fortnight and there will be us two and our 15yo DD. I am just starting to worry about whether or not we can find enough to keep us fully occupied.

Fortunately we do all like walking so that will obviously take care of several days. Also we are geocachers and there are about 50 caches to find so that will go nicely with the walks.

However, I think we need something else as well. Things I have thought of so far are:

• Brodick Castle
  
• Trip to Kintyre peninsula
  
• Pony trekking (we can't actually ride but a couple ofplaces seem to offer trks for complete novices)
  

I would welcome suggestions for trips or activities from anyone else who has been recently. Is there a swimming pool for instance?

Oh I should say golf is a non-starter - there would be zero enthusiasm for that from anyone. Ditto fishing.

TIA

[5Foot5]

Anyone?

[haggisaggis]

Arran is really an outdoors kind of place - so as long as she is into outdoor activities (and you are happy to pay for them!) there is plenty to do.
Swimming pool at teh auchrannie resort - as far as I remember it is open to the public but you would be better checking. Arran adventure company (who also have a base at teh Auchrannie resort) do archery, kayaking etc. You can also do power boat trips.
There is probably more to do for an active teen than for a small child - but you have to like teh outdoors!
Pony trekking is good fun and they definitely cater for beginners.

[5Foot5]

Thanks haggisaggis.

I will look up that resort and the company you mention.
We do have a preference for outdoors so that's good.

I also wondered about hiring bikes but I can't remember how hilly it was around the coast line and I know I am not as fit now as I was when we last went 25 years ago!

[threeandcounting]

Yes, swimming pool at the Auchrannie is open to the public (I would check the times).

Arran adventure do offer lots of things to do, and also hire bikes (although I personally wouldnt cycle on the island (although I am a bit of a scardy cat...)

There is also the balmichal centre where you can paint your own plates and they also used to offer quad biking and a golf driving range.

Nearer the time you could also check "The Arran Banner" (think it's available online) to check what's on; and at the castle there is often organised things to do especially during the summer hols!

[pointydog]

Crazy golf at Brodick

[pointydog]

Yes to the Balmichael centre

[pointydog]

We loved the shortish walk to the standing stones at Machrie Moor. Good weather helped.

[ZhenXiang]

Some good links here for water activities/sports and outdoor activities.

[Oakmaiden]

Oh, happy memories. We stayed at the Auchrannie for my (OK - OUR) honeymoon 16 years ago.

I am feeling all nostalgic. Maybe we should go back with the children sometime....

[5Foot5]

Thanks for all the ideas