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Looking along Arran's peaceful western coast from The Postman's Path (Day 7)

There are many wonderfully erratic glacial boulders clearly visible right round Arran's coastline and the huge, shapely boulders at Corrie are particularly beautiful.

Wildlife

The Ayrshire and Arran Coastal Paths are teeming with wildlife and feature a particularly diverse birdlife. This ranges from common coastal species like the black-headed gull, herring gull, oystercatcher, razorbill and guillemot to seasonal birds such as the common tern, grebe, golden plover and goldeneye. The great cliffs near the Heads of Ayr, Ballantrae and round much of Arran are home to birds of prey including buzzards, kestrels and sparrowhawks while the wilder, open landscapes above Glenapp and Largs accommodate moorland birds such as grouse, curlew and meadow pipit.

On quieter sections of the route you may well spot a reclusive roe deer, a contrast to the many sheep and cattle on view. Both common and grey seals are a regular sight off-shore, especially round Arran. The marvellous sight of a sea otter may also be glimpsed round the island's coast. Basking sharks (the world's second biggest fish), dolphins and minke whales have also occasionally been seen, especially from ferries. Arran is one of the few remaining areas of Britain where there is a healthy population of red squirrels, its larger grey cousin never having been introduced to the island.