Who we are

Management

Arran Geopark is a Registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SC052706) managed by a volunteer board of Trustees:

• Stuart Blake – Director, Lochranza Centre CIC; Director, Arran Access Trust
• Margaret Bruce – co-opted member for Arran Heritage Museum
• Sheila Gilmore – CEO, VisitArran
• Paul Kay – Arran Theatre and Arts Trust; Photographer, Marine Wildlife
• Richard McMaster – Councillor, Arran Community Council
• Áine Purcell-Milton – Executive Director, Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST)
• Kate Sampson – Senior Ranger, Goatfell & Brodick Country Park, National Trust for Scotland
• Anne Sheppard – Trustee, Arran Geopark
• Charles Sheppard OBE – Professor Emeritus
• Judi Worthington – Centre Manager, University of the Highlands & Islands (UHI) Argyll

Staff

Arran Geopark is staffed by the following permanent and seasonal roles:

• Malcolm Wilkinson – Geopark Coordinator
• Franny Schlicke – Geopark Guide / Maor-dùthcha
• Geopark Ranger Team – funded seasonally by NatureScot’s Green Recovery Fund: 2021, 2022, 2023.

To contact the team please get in touch.

History

The concept of Arran Geopark began in late 2016 when the Arran Access Trust led a partnership with the Lochranza Centre CIC, National Trust for Scotland, and the Arran Heritage Museum. The aims of the partnership were 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 enabled a successful funding application to the Scottish Government’s Coastal Communities Fund in 2017. Further funding was received from the Arran Trust, North Ayrshire Council, and from private donors.

As a result, two new Geopark 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.

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.