Management
Arran Geopark is a Registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC052706) managed by a volunteer board:
- Sheila Gilmore, Chair of Arran Geopark; CEO of VisitArran
- Stuart Blake, Director of Lochranza Centre CIC; Director of Arran Access Trust
- Margaret Bruce, co-opted member for Arran Heritage Museum
- Paul Kay, Photographer, Marine Wildlife
- Jackie Kemp, Forester, Forestry and Land Scotland
- Richard McMaster, Community Councillor, Arran Community Council
- Jim McMaster, Chair of Arran NFU
- Kate Sampson, Senior Ranger of Goatfell & Brodick Country Park, National Trust for Scotland
- Anne Sheppard, Chair of Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST)
- Rob Stevens, Artist-Sculptor, co-opted member for Arran Theatre & Arts Trust
Staff
Arran Geopark is operated by the following staff:
- Malcolm Wilkinson – Geopark Operations Manager
- Geopark Ranger Team – Operates from Easter to end September
To contact the team please get in touch.
Funding
Funding for 2023-26 has been kindly granted by North Ayrshire Council’s Community Investment Fund, NatureScot’s Green Recovery Fund, Scottish Government’s Islands Heritage & Culture Fund, NatureScot, and the Arran Trust.
We are also very grateful to the donations given by private donors. Find out how to donate to Arran Geopark.
UNESCO status for the Isle of Arran
🌐 On the recommendation of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, on 17 April 2025 the Executive Board of UNESCO designated Arran as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
⏳ The period of designation runs from 17 April 2025 to 16 April 2029. The designation is subject to revalidation every four years in order to ensure the continuing quality of UNESCO Global Geoparks.
❓ UNESCO Global Geoparks explore, develop and celebrate the links between their geological heritage and all other aspects of their natural and cultural heritage. They reconnect human society with the history of our planet across 4,600 million years that have shaped every place on Earth and all life that has ever lived here.
Find out more about what UNESCO status means for Arran.
History
The potential for UNESCO Global Geopark status for Arran was highlighted in 2015 when the Cold Water Islands Tourism Conference was first held on Arran. As a result, in 2016 the Arran Access Trust led a partnership with the Lochranza Centre CIC, National Trust for Scotland, and the Arran Heritage Museum with the aim to:
“improve footpaths around important geological sites on Arran and work together to develop and improve digital information and interpretation centres for Geology on Arran, paving the way for Arran to gain UNESCO Global Geopark status.”
The partnership led to a successful funding bid to the Scottish Government’s Coastal Communities Fund. Further funding was gratefully received from the Arran Trust, North Ayrshire Council, and from private donors.
A Geopark Coordinator and a Ranger were employed to drive the project forward. Information centres were created in Brodick and in Lochranza; the Arran Heritage Museum’s geology exhibits were also upgraded. A leaflet describing six waymarked walking trails was created and outdoor interpretation panels were commissioned for key viewpoints and geological sites. Understanding of our rich geoheritage was enhanced through guided walks, talks and outreach to local schools.
A footpath team was employed by the Geopark (2017-2019) to undertake key areas of footpath work. This focussed primarily on sites of geological significance – works were completed at Corrie, Drumadoon, Newton Shore, Kildonan, North Glen Sannox, and in the Northern Mountains. The footpath team also provided training opportunities by employing trainees on to develop specialist skills and gain certificates in chainsaw use and in first aid.
A rock delivery by helicopter, delivering path-building materials to Suidhe Fhearghas.