Arran

On the 17th July 2021, a snorkel trail featuring some of Arran’s most beautiful bays and beaches was launched in partnership with the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST).

Bruce Wilson from the Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “It’s been great to work with the passionate team at COAST, who are instrumental in many great local, regional and national marine conservation projects. This is a very special island and getting under the water reveals even more of this great place.”

The waters of Arran are increasingly popular with visiting scuba divers and with the launch of the snorkel trail, the partnership charities hope that locals and visitors alike are encouraged to get in the water and inspired to fight for the protection of our seas.

“To truly believe in something, you need to see it for yourself,” says COAST’s Outreach and Communications Manager, Jenny Stark: “Our seas are in a precarious position and it is up to all of us to do our part to help protect them. With the launch of the snorkel trail on Arran, we hope that more people are encouraged to get in the water to see for themselves the wonderful marine life that lives here and therefore want to take steps to protect it.”

Local MSP Kenneth Gibson, who was instrumental in getting the high level of protection for the waters around Arran, recognises the value that this trail can bring to the region. He adds: “Marine tourism accounts for 14% of all of Scotland’s tourism and I am delighted to see the Arran Snorkel Trail come to fruition as I believe it will really add value to Arran and put the island up there as a sustainable marine holiday destination.

“Thanks to COAST and the local community, Arran’s wealth of marine life has seen remarkable recovery in the last decade; it is great that locals and visitors now have a guide to afford them the opportunity to see it for themselves.”