Lochranza Centre CIC School Trip

Our highly qualified staff deliver a wide range of exciting outdoor activities including gorge walking, canoeing, raft building, abseiling, archery, mountain biking, bushcraft, orienteering, hiking, and more.

The Isle of Arran provides spectacular, textbook examples of geographic features and processes, making it an ideal location for exploring a wide range of physical geography topics. Guided by our tutors, students will engage in fieldwork investigations covering the following areas:

Rivers systems:
Students will investigate the changes in hydrological variables from source to mouth of the River Chalmadale. This includes studying how physical and human environments interact, examining the various uses of the river, and assessing the causes and risks of flooding in the area.

Drainage Basins and Hydrological Cycle:
Students will compare the Chalmadale and Easaan drainage basins by collecting data on the rates of discharge in order to gain a deeper understanding of water movement through these systems.

Coastal systems and landscapes:
Students will explore coastal processes and landforms, conducting a longshore drift investigation and beach profile analysis. They will study examples of coastal landforms across multiple beaches and recognise the effects of isostatic rebound. Arran also offers excellent examples of coastal management techniques to observe and evaluate.

Glaciated landscape:
Students will have the opportunity to study Arran's exceptional examples of glacial processes and landforms. This includes depositional features such as moraines, erratics and braided deposits at the base of the valley, as well as corries, arêtes, and pyramidal peaks at higher altitudes. Glen Rosa, a prime example of a glaciated valley, provides not only stunning views but also insights into land use and management in a post-glacial landscape.

Biogeography- Ecosystems and the Carbon Cycle:
A variety of fieldwork options are available, including:
- Heathland ecology, examining the interrelationships between soil, vegetation, and climate at varying altitudes.
- Microclimate studies focused on atmosphere, weather, and climate topics.
- A study of the deciduous woodlands in Lochranza, with an emphasis on floral diversity and abundance, soil quality, and microclimate measurements.

All fieldwork is complemented by follow-up lessons, which provide additional context on each topic and guide students in presenting and analysing their collected data. Content is tailored to the level of study and the specific requirements of each school, ensuring a fully customised learning experience.

Arran's rich wildlife, diverse habitats, and unique island setting make it an ideal location for environmental science field studies. Our practical fieldwork integrates current and topical themes, such as the effects of climate change on coastal communities and sustainability efforts, using local conservation case studies. Students can explore carbon storage by examining the carbon content of trees and the critical role of peatlands. Arran offers a wide variety of habitats for vegetation comparisons, including salt marshes, heathland, woodland, and grassland. Along the coast, marine zonation studies enable investigations into the distribution of seaweeds and marine animals. Furthermore, groups can delve into Arran's marine biodiversity aboard COAST's Explorer boat, which highlights the remarkable success of the island's pioneering No Take Zone.

The primary focus of all our courses is to develop students' fieldwork skills and techniques. Guided by our subject-specialist tutors, students are taken through the key stages of conducting geographical and scientific investigations, including setting aims and objectives, formulating hypotheses, selecting methods, collecting data, presenting data, analysing findings, drawing conclusions, and evaluating results. A variety of data types, sampling methods, and transect techniques are introduced in both theory and practical fieldwork sessions.

Students will have the opportunity to use a wide range of data collection techniques and will gain hands-on experience with the specialised equipment provided by the centre. For geology students, we aim to build their confidence in geological fieldwork skills and their ability to conduct thorough geological investigations.

Field studies skills can be taught at all academic levels including basic geographical field skills courses for primary school students.

As a tourist island there are also plenty of opportunities for human geography, looking at rural communities, tourist destinations and settlement evolution. Students will use the Isle of Arran as a case study setting for the following topics:

Changing Places:

Students will use a variety of qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques across four different settlements to gain a comprehensive understanding of Arran's character.

Fieldwork activities include landscape character assessments, photographic evidence to analyse changes over time, built environment surveys, 'people' assessments, and 'Placecheck' evaluations. Students will also explore recent key projects that have brought significant changes to the area. Follow-up work incorporates diverse resources to deepen their understanding of Arran's unique character, such as population statistics, historical film footage, photographs, poems, and music. Students will be encouraged to compare and contrast Arran's character with that of their hometowns.

Impacts of tourism:

Students will investigate the impact of Arrans tourism on its natural environment by conducting fieldwork on footpath erosion and management.

With rocks that span the last 600 million years of Earth's history and a huge variety of small- and large-scale structures, nearly all geological principles and processes can be taught on Arran. Alongside the rich variety and text-book examples of rocks and structures, Arran is blessed with world-class 'must see' sites including Hutton's Unconformity, Drumadoon Sill, and the Giant Myriapod trail. Sites such as these have helped Arran reach its status as a 'pending' UNESCO Geopark. Our Geology courses are tailored to both GCSE and A-Level requirements (WJEC and OCR).

Our subject-specialist tutors will assist students in developing geological investigative skills and cover a large portion of the modules required for GCSE and A-Level Geology. We accomplish this:
1) By teaching or 'reacquainting' students with the knowledge and terminology to describe and interpret rocks.
2) By teaching the students the basic skills to describe, measure and record these
observations and measurements.
3) By taking students along routes which give them maximum exposure to a wide variety of rocks and structures, enhancing their learning experience.
4) By letting students apply knowledge and skills through small and large-scale
investigations (PAG specific).
5) By using evenings sessions to:
a) Revisit the rocks observed in the field in hand specimens, through thin section &
photomicrograph.
b) Plot, Process or interpret data gathered (NB mathematical skills will be applied where appropriate depending on time available & party leader preference).
c) Use evidence gathered to see how Arran's rocks lie within the bigger picture of Basin analysis.

Below are examples of the different student investigations that we provide across a range of sites on Arran:
- An Investigation into the rocks and their characteristics that make up a famous geological structure (Hutton's Unconformity).
- An Investigation of the different rock types and their location
- An Investigation into relative dating and chronology
- An Investigation of the Cooling history of a large intrusion
- An Investigation into magma type and time of emplacement
- An investigation into changing palaeoenvironments
- An Investigation into an Orogenic event
- An Investigation into a geological sequence that provides evidence for changing environments through time.
- An Investigation into a geological sequence that provides evidence for changing sedimentary environments through time (Permian period).
- An Investigation into the contact between two rocks, and the changes that can be observed as a result of this this type of contact
- An Investigation into the Geochronology of an Area
- An investigation of Glen Sannox mineral vein and orogenic processes.
- An independent Fieldwork based investigation of sediments/sedimentary rocks, Igneous or metamorphic rocks

Arran's rich wildlife, diverse habitats, and unique island setting provide excellent opportunities for biological fieldwork. Students will undertake a variety of projects, including freshwater ecology investigating invertebrates in local streams, and examining the impact of the local whisky distillery on aquatic flora and fauna. Marine studies take place on Lochranza's rocky shore, observed by the resident seal colony, while moorland investigations, such as ecological succession and land management, are conducted in habitats shared with red deer and red squirrels. Additional habitats, including salt marshes, woodlands, and pastures, offer opportunities for data collection, population sampling, and both short-term assessments and full-scale investigations. Statistical analysis and IT skills are incorporated into all topics, ensuring students gain a comprehensive understanding of their findings.

We provide accommodation for self taught groups. You can self cater (20 max) or we can provide meals. You can also choose if you would like to include any of our Field Study & Activity sessions as part of your stay - even if its just for a few hours. We can also provide walking guides & qualified Mountain Leaders if you require them. You can alsop speak to us about transport options.

Arran is home to Scotlands 'Big Five' - there are Golden Eagles to be found nesting on a cliff close to Lochranza Centre, there is a seal colony on the loch shore, our local woodland is full of red squirrels (we don't have the nasty greys on the Island!), you will find red deer roaming through the village (they are particularly fond of the local golf course) & if you are lucky, as the sun rises or sets, you might just catch a glimse of the sea otters searching for juicy urchins in the kelp beds.

We provide a half day activity session on Bushcraft Skills. However we can also design a bespoke break based around Bushcraft Skills or Forest School activities.

As part of our Activity sessions we offer SUP's, improvised raft building, gorge walking, open canoes & sit on top kayaks. Our sessions are generally half day & focused as 'taster' sessions for the less experienced or beginners. We do not hire out our equipment but prefer to send you off with a full trained & capable instructor who is familiar with the local wind & water conditions.

Arran has a long a varied history. Our first settlers sailed across the sea from Ireland in hollowed out boats. The Island is packed full with Celtic Myths & Legends.

The Vikings came to Arran in the 1200's & found they liked it. The west coast of Scotland with its sea lochs stretching inland towards high mountain peaks made them feel rather at home. Most of the village place names such as Lochranza (valley of the rowan tree) & Brodick (Broad Bay) are words from the norse language. We include lots of information on viking settlement on Arran as pary of our Primary School Courses.

Arran evolved and changed considerably during the Victorian period. Originally it was an Island with a widely dispersed population focused mainly on farming & fishing. However the Victorians developed Arran as a tourist destination. They found that the clean air & fresh clean rivers were a fantastic contrast to city living. They also found that Arran had a few resources of its own - sandstone, limestone, slate, coal & barytes which could be extracted & exploited for use else where.

Arran is a place which has changed significantly in the last 150 years. The early Victorian toursis used to arrive in paddle steamers & stay for the whole Summer. Many bought land on the Island & built their own Holiday Homes. Many of these still exist as fairly substancial properties in the small villages doted around the coastline. Arran has also experienced considerable change within its farming communities - from families working together to look after communal land right through to very large scale mechanised farming of today. We offer specific study topics related to 'Change over Time', 'Rural Settlement Changes' or Changing Places'.

Arran is packed with fantastic archaelogical sites from broze age standing stones, viking buriel chambers, iron age forts & castles. We can show you the best places to visit or provide a besoke course.

Most of our Adventure Activity options have been developed with 'Team Building' in mind. We also offer specific Problem Solving sessions designed to promote good teamwork & help develop communication skills.

Arran has some fantastic beaches. Due to our unique & varied Geology we have a variety of easily accessible shingle, rock & sandy beaches all with their own unique habitat. Our subject specialists will explain what lives here & how they intereact with each other in this fascinating environment. Arran is home to Scotland's only Maring Protected No Take Zone in Lamlash Bay. Using a specially adapted Coastal Explorer Boat our friends at the Arran COAST organisation will explain not just the surface of the water - but give you a chance to see what lurks beneath.