About Us

The North Arran community is located at the north-west corner of the stunningly beautiful Isle of Arran, in the designated “North Arran National Scenic Area”. It is surrounded by the sea to the West and North from Whitefarland to Millstone Point and on the other sides by hills. The community has a declining population of around 300 mostly residing in the main villages of Lochranza, Catacol and Pirnmill, with the largest by far being Lochranza, located on the Loch Ranza, famous for the imposing grey ruin of its castle located on a shingle spit.

The hotel in Lochranza, which hosts the last remaining pub in the area, closed its doors during the Covid-19 pandemic and was put up for sale. The loss of this vital facility for the cohesion and well-being of the community was keenly felt. In November 2021, the Lochranza and Catacol Community Association (LCCA) arranged an open meeting to all residents to discuss the sale of the Lochranza Hotel. At the meeting there were over 80 attendees including the local MP. It was openly agreed that the loss would result in a further decline in the area and it was proposed that the hotel be bought for the community.

NACBS applied for and was awarded a grant from the Scottish Land Fund, which allowed for the purchase of the hotel in its entirety. A further grant was awarded by the Community Ownership Fund to complete much needed refurbishments to the building and enable it to be opened as a business again. Walls were painted, floors laid and equipment replaced while NACBS searched for a General Manager. Finally, in May 2023, Lochranza Country Inn opened its doors for the first time in three years.

NACBS has a board of four members:

Chris Traill

Chris is well known locally having been born in the community. He manages the Lochranza CIC which was created through a management buyout. Chris is the current Chair of the NACBS.

Robin Finlayson

Robin was raised in the community and is a professional accountant. An active member of society being a Trustee of the Community Hall and the Chair of the Lochranza and Catacol Sea Society. He is the current Treasurer for NACBS.

Duncan Craig

Duncan has lived in the community for 14 years. A former Business Consultant and Project Manager, he is a Director of the Lochranza and Catacol Sea Society and Trustee for the Scottish Youth Hostel Association. He is the current Operations Director for NACBS.

Robert Cumming

Robert is a long-term resident in the community and has held various roles for the various community groups including secretary for the Lochranza and Catacol Community Association when he organized the meeting which voted to purchase the Hotel. He is the current secretary of NACBS.

Since forming, NACBS has encouraged the local community to get involved, become members, join the board and shape the future of the organisation. We firmly believe that NACBS will be most effective if it has a broad a membership in the community as possible. As of 1st July 2023, there were 84 community members and 8 contributor members.