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Set
Sail for Spectacular West Coast Scenery Onboard "The Second Snark"
Day trips to the Islands of Arran, Bute, Cumbrae and
the Highland village of Tighnabruaich via the magnificent scenery of
the Kyles of Bute.
For history and details of TSMV The
Second Snark see www.secondsnark.co.uk
To view this brochure you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you do not have this installed you can download it from the link below.
 Isle
of Arran
Arran, Scotland in miniature, provides the visitor with the best of what the
rest of Scotland has to offer. The island has it's own unique identity and culture
and is as far removed from the rat race as it's possible to be. Rising dramatically
from the sheltered waters of the Firth of Clyde, Arran's profile, dominated by
the sweeping slopes of Goatfell, gives you a foretaste of your destination...a
fascinating and often surprising island that never ceases to exert it's unique
magic on visitors of all generations.
Our destination is Lochranza, which is home to Scotland's newest and award
winning Malt Whisky Distillery. Begin your tour with an introduction to
the history and lore of whisky making. Stick your nose into a barrel and smell
the peat, taste the wort and watch yeast at work through a microscope. Then it's
through to a reconstructed 18th Century croft for an information video show before
you are led through a smugglers tunnel for a guided tour of the Distillery and
complimentary dram.
 Isle
of Bute
The delightful island of Bute is a memorable place of stunning contrasts and
has many attractions made by both man and nature. Take a stroll along the colourful
Esplanade gardens of Rothesay, the island capital, where you can't fail to notice
the unusual circular glass structure of the 1920's Winter Garden, which
houses the Isle of Bute Discovery Centre, and contrasts with the grand
Victorian architecture of the seafront. Much older is the 13th Century Rothesay
Castle, a Royal fortress whose rounded battlements have stood the test of
time and conflict. Visit Bute Museum to learn about the fascinating history
and geology of the island. Follow the coast beyond delightful Ascog Bay where
you will discover the Ascog Hall Fernery and Garden. This sunken Victorian
fern house, built around 1870, has now been fully restored and houses a spectacular
collection of feather leafed greenery. Catch the bus to Mount Stuart House,
the magnificent ancestral home of the Marquis of Bute, surrounded by 300 acres
of woodland and gardens. Visit the spectacular Ardencraig Gardens, famous
for fuschias, pot plants, it's water garden and tearoom. For the more energetic,
there is the 29 mile West Island Way, a waymarked trail where walkers
can choose a variety of routes around the island to explore some of the more
remote parts of the countryside.
 Isle
of Cumbrae
Millport is built around the harbour and has a pleasant walk along the front.
Early Victorian villas overlook the horseshoe bay of safe, sandy beaches. Visit
the Cathedral of the Isles, which claims to be the smallest Cathedral
in Europe. Bikes can be hired for the easy 11 mile island circuit, stopping
off at the Marine Biological Station which houses a small museum and aquarium.
The museum exhibits illustrate the history of marine science, features of the
marine environment and local marine habitats. The aquarium displays the beauty
and diversity of living marine creatures from the Clyde area.
 Tighnabruaich
Gaelic for 'the house on the brae', so called from the inn which once stood on
the hillside. Before arriving you will see the Maids of Bute. With excellent
distant views of Arran, passengers going ashore are rewarded by the many attractive
19th Century Glasgow Merchant villas, hotels, Bistro and tearoom which comprise
this charming resort. Visit the Tighnabruaich Gallery and view it's
display of original paintings and Scottish made crafts. The gallery specialises
in paintings of the West Coast of Scotland, and houses a coffee shop which
serves snacks and meals.
 Marine
Wildlife
The warm waters of the North Atlantic Drift help make the West Coast of Scotland
one of the most important and productive marine regions in Europe. Proof of this
is found in the large number and diversity of whales, dolphins and porpoises
and other marine wildlife. Regular sightings are made of seals, porpoises and
seabirds, and we encourage passengers to report their sightings from our vessel
using Sighting Forms which are held in the wheelhouse. Once completed these forms
are forwarded to the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust for entering into their
database.
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