Τα 20 κορυφαία αξιοθέατα στο Βόρειο Έιρσαϊρ

have to detour route if after 16.30 as visitor centre closed ..very muddy at places

Visited on the Arran Coastal Way. Impressive caves.

"Named for its rather distinctive shape, The Pencil was built in 1912 as a reminder of the Viking influence over Scotland. Overlooking the Firth of Clyde and standing at around 70 feet tall, the pencil remembers the Battle of Largs, where the Scottish defeated 160 ships belonging to the Norwegian King Haco. Take a leisurely walk along the prom in Largs towards the southern end at Bowen Craig and you can’t miss this monument standing 70 feet high in the shape of a pencil. The view from this spot of the Firth of Clyde and the Marina are lovely." Source: https://hiddenscotland.com/listings/largs-pencil-monument

Magnus the Viking was gifted to the people of Largs by North Ayrshire Council in 2013 to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the historic Battle of Largs. The Vikings were defeated in the Battle of Largs in 1263, their last raid on Scottish soil. Under the Treaty of Perth, Magnus King of Norway surrendered the Western Isles and the Isle of Man to the Scottish Crown in 1266. (information taken from the sign nearby the statue)

Beinn Tarsuinn is one of Arran's four Corbetts and offers tremendous views across the island's peaks. The summit forms part of the popular Glen Rosa Horseshoe, along with Goatfell and pointy Cìr Mhòr. Between Cìr Mhòr and Beinn Tarsuinn rises the A'Chir ridge, which requires rock climbing skills. However, hikers can bypass this to the west, avoiding the difficulties.

Historic castle (is there a different kind?)

The harbours serving Irvine at Seagatefoot and Fullarton in North Ayrshire have had a long and complex history. Irvine's harbour was one of the most important ports in Scotland in the 16th century. Across from the main harbour at Fullarton on the River Irvine there was also terminal for the ICI-Nobel Explosives plant on the River Garnock. Much of the harbour went into decline in the 19th century when Glasgow, Greenock and Port Glasgow achieved higher prominence as sea ports. There was still some commercial sea traffic linked to local needs, though the harbour went into further terminal decline in the 20th century. The weir on the River Irvine forms the formal upper limit of the harbour. Formerly owned by ICI, Irvine Harbour is now the property of NPL Estates Irvine Harbour is now officially closed as a commercial port. Until recently NPL provided a slipway for dinghies, as well as moorings and berths for pleasure craft. However, silting has taken place and the Scottish Maritime Museum's berths are not for public use.

Portencross Castle, also known historically as Portincross Castle, is situated in Portencross, on the west coast of Scotland, about 3 km from West Kilbride. The site has been fortified since the 11th Century. The present tower castle is thought to date from the mid-14th Century and later. It remained in use until it was unroofed by a great storm in 1739 and gradually became ruinous. The castle was designated as a scheduled ancient monument in 1955. The castle was one of the buildings featured in the 2004 series of the BBC television programme Restoration and was the subject of efforts by a local community group to secure its future.