Cladach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cladach
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 The Wineport |
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 Cladach
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| OS grid reference | NS012376 |
| Civil parish |
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| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ISLE OF ARRAN |
| Postcode district | KA27 |
| Dialling code | 01770 |
| Police | Strathclyde |
| Fire | Strathclyde |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Cladach (which means "the shore" or "the beach" in Scottish Gaelic) is a small village on the beautiful Isle of Arran in Scotland. It's located near Brodick, which is the main village on the island. Cladach is known for being home to the Cladach Sawmill and the Arran Brewery. You can also find the company Arran Aromatics and the famous Brodick Castle very close by.
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A Look Back in Time: Cladach's History
Cladach used to be a much bigger place! In fact, it was the very first village built on Brodick Bay. The modern village of Brodick, which you see today, was built later on the other side of the bay.
Many years ago, there were lots of houses along the Coast Road in Cladach. There were also homes for the workers at the sawmill, provided by the sawmill owners. But over time, most people moved away from Cladach. The old buildings were either taken down or turned into small businesses. So, it's a much quieter place now.
Where is Cladach?
Cladach is located on the eastern side of the Isle of Arran. It sits right on the Coast Road, across Brodick Bay from the larger village of Brodick. Its position on the coast gives it lovely views and easy access to the shore.
What to Do in Cladach
Cladach is a great spot for visitors! The main attraction here is the Cladach Visitors' Centre.
It's also the usual starting point for adventurers who want to climb Goat Fell. This is the highest mountain on the Isle of Arran. If you prefer something less strenuous, you can find an entrance to the beautiful Brodick Castle Gardens right here in Cladach.
How Cladach Makes Electricity
Cladach has a special system that uses water to make electricity. It's called a hydroelectric scheme. Water is collected from a reservoir high up on the slopes of Goat Fell. This water then flows down to turbines located behind the old Sawmill. These turbines spin and create electricity.
This system was originally built to provide power to Brodick Castle. It was one of the first places in Scotland to get electricity, along with a castle on the island of Rùm.
The Old Courthouse and Local Traditions
There used to be a courthouse in Cladach, but it was taken down in 2004. This courthouse had a unique tradition: important messages about court hearings and farming were posted on an Ash tree outside its doors. Even today, locals continue this tradition by putting up posters on the tree to advertise events. It's a nice way to remember the past!
The Wineport Restaurant
You'll find a restaurant in Cladach called The Wineport. It got its name from an old harbour that was about 500 yards north of the restaurant. This small harbour was where supplies for the village and the castle used to be brought in by boat.
