Day 4

 Today we set out into glen rosa to meet up with Corinna a local national trust for scotland ranger to do some habitat management . The type of habitat management that we took part in was bracken bashing this is where you flatten or damage the bracken around a newly growing tree. This helps the tree get much needed light in order to grow.

We were also given the task of each picking a species of plant and identifying it. We then had to find out more information about the plant and prepare a short presentation to tell the others in our group about it.

Throughout the day we had a typical Scottish array of weather, ranging from glorious sunshine to a sudden and torrential downpour of rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. Luckily this changing weather did not impeed out progress in clearing bracken as this sudden change in weather occurred in the return journey to the lodge - this did however mean returning in the rain.

Day 3

On the morning of day 3, we set out to do a beach clean on the local Brodick beach in front of our lodge. Before we set out, we completed a group risk assessment covering the main hazards within the categories of environmental, human, wildlife and rubbish. Once we geared up in our waterproofs - ready for the temperamental Scottish weather. We paired up, grabbed a litter picker and plastic bag and then set off. On reaching our start point further down the beach, we started searching for litter between the high tide mark and the gorse bushes at the back of the beach.

We found an array of litter including: crates, plastic bottles, tent poles and wipes. Overall, it was a very enlightening experience as it helped us to understand the importance of appropriate waster disposal and the impacts on the environment. After we disposed of the waste we also looked at a marine litter picking survey form and considered the range of waste that can be found on beaches - of which we found half of.

Later on in the afternoon, we went on a discovery walk around the grounds of Brodick castle. We found a variety of plants including: hydrangeas, redwood trees, rhododendrons, yellow rattle flowers, beech trees, pine trees and star moss. Although we couldn't enter the castle, as it was undergoing refurbishment, we found out the oldest parts of the castle date back to the 13th century. Whereas, the visible exterior was built in the Victorian era when the Hamiltons lived there.

Day 2

On day 2 of adventures in Arran, we were divided into three groups and sent off on buses to explore different areas of the island. One group traveled for twenty minutes to the north of the island to visit and discover Lochranza; another to the south of the island to Blackwaterfoot and the final group travelled to the village of Lamlash. Here, we were left to explore the wildlife, history and sights of the areas, to later present to the other groups.

After getting a bus from Brodick Pier to Lamlash, the group who were researching the area ventured into the more commercialised area of Lamlash. It is said by locals that Lamlash is the second biggest village on Arran, and this can be seen with the large numbers of coffee shops and gift shops, as well as a hotel, hospital and police station. During the stroll through this section of the village, the group found several historical landmarks, such as the Clearance Memorial, which acted as a reminder of the 86 people who were forced to move from Lamlash to Canada between 1829 and 1840.

Next, the group walked for several kilometres to the jutting headland at the north of Lamlash. On this walk, the group encountered lots of wildlife, especially in the 'No Take Zone' of the beach. This zone prohibited all removal of sea creatures from this section of water in Lamlash, and thus the group were able to see crabs, jellyfish, oyster catchers and herons.

The next group took a bus from Brodick Pier to Blackwaterfoot, in which they set out to discover some caves.  On discovering the caves, they found where a legend had once sought refuge.  He observed a spider attempting to to spin a web on the walls of the cave and from this found the strength to continue to fight for Scottish Independence.

The last group went to Lochranzar, which is at the top of the island. There we went on a adventure as we got off at the distillery, and set off towards the castle where on the way we saw some red deer and some osystercatchers then we walked down towards the pier were we had lunch, then after we had lunch we walked back towards the castle and walked towards Newton Point. On the way to the viewpoint we encountered a golf course that had been invaded by red deer. Other animals we saw during our trip are, Shags, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Gannet, Buzzard, Rabbits, Sheep, common Gull, Swans, Ducks, Jackdraw, Common Tern.

Day One

The journey to the Isle of Arran began with the whole of the group meeting at Glasgow Central Station. With most of the group arriving by train and some by flights we all managed to find our way to the meeting point eventually. After an hour long train ride we eventually arrived at the harbour, for a rather calm trip across to Arran on the ferry. The weather of course was rain - what else can you expect from Scotland... but still morale was high within the group. Once our jobs for the night had been decided we all got setteled in and the chefs were swept off to the kitchen to begin dinner.  The dinner was nice and the night was spent playing cards with banter and jokes flying around the room to create a good atmosphere.

And so this is where our jouney begins...