Sitting high above the Arran Banner office there is a web-cam pointing towards Brodick pier. By watching the live feed, which is updated every 10 seconds or so you can watch for yourself the goings on in Brodick 24 hours a day. On a sunny day you can see out across the bay as the holidaymakers enjoy the sunshine. During the wet, windy winter days you could log on to see what the weather is doing and try to work out if the ferry is going to sail or not. You will even be able to make out the lights of the harbour when it is dark outside!
The beauty of the webcam is that you can log on any time of the day or night. Maybe you have been away from the island for too long and a wee glimpse might tempt you to take a trip to visit!
Brodick is most people’s first port of call as the car ferry MV Caledonian Isles from Ardrossan docks here. Sailing into Brodick Bay you are greeted by one of the most beautiful views of Arran; the long sandy beach sweeping up towards Goat Fell and the impressive sandstone bricks of Brodick Castle.
Brodick today is on the south side of the bay, but the original village was at Mossend, on the north side, near Cladach. Upwards of twenty families lived in a row of cottages known as The Street, which lined the road opposite Duchess Court (originally the Home Farm). These cottages were demolished between 1856-58 and the people moved to Douglas Row or New Street (now called Douglas Place) and Alma Terrace.
During the 1920’s and 30’s some fine hotels were built along the front. The modern village of Brodick has grown and expanded over the years. St. Denys was demolished to make way for the new Co-op building, Ennismore became the Arran Hotel, the Kingsley is now McLarens Hotel. Changes continue. Tides are higher and the beach is much smaller. There is no room now for the bathing huts which used to line the beach. Some buildings have disappeared, such as Cora Linn, which was Adolph Ribbeck’s shop and home, and in its place a development of modern homes.
Across the bay the castle still stands and the magnificent view remains the same.
