THERE is something quite magical about the moment Arran emerges into view, as the mist clears and the sheer towering magnificence of Goat Fell becomes apparent.

Such dramatic scenery, with its close proximity to the island's capital of Brodick, catches the breath. For an excitable five-year-old boy, it conjures up a world of unfettered adventure, untamed wilderness and unsolved mystery. It also offers a welcome distraction from a worrying Minion obsession, and an opportunity to leave the iPad untouched for a few hours.

With its mountains, woodlands, beaches and outlying islands, Arran has affectionately become known as "Scotland in Miniature", proving a magnet for cyclists, hillwalkers, sailors and fishermen alike. However, what does this adventure playground for grown-ups offer Scotland's miniature people - young children who are eager to explore, but whose attention spans may run the length of time it takes to watch an episode of Peppa Pig?

We were stationed at the Auchrannie Resort's stunning newly built £2.5 million, 20-bedroom extension, designed for those prepared to push the boat out (well, it is an island) and indulge themselves in life's little luxuries. Our accommodation (one of two top-floor executive suites) exuded all the class and attention to detail you would expect and more from a premium destination. The room's lounge area was separate to the main bedroom and maximised privacy, while the adjoining balcony (accessible from both lounge and bedroom) provided a perfect spot for relaxation. Other highlights included bunk rooms for children with televisions at the foot of each bed; family "resource rooms" with tumble dryers, washing machines and microwaves; and last but not least the shared Stronach Lounge where peace and quiet could be sought, a tempting hot tub found and all the free jelly beans you could possibly want.

Having arrived in the early afternoon, we decided to keep things simple and patronise the resort's Playbarn. Both of our children - the oldest Adam and the youngest 19-month-old Elliott - are experienced soft-play users and the three-tier climbing frames, slides and assorted games did not disappoint. From there, it was off to the swimming pool - one of two at the resort - where Mum and Dad were able to delude ourselves into thinking we were burning off a few calories before dinner. Family changing rooms, with private shower and a high chair, were a nice touch and made the usual nightmare of getting two young impatient boys washed, dried and changed that little bit less traumatic.

For our first night we dined at Brambles Seafood and Grill restaurant - one of three restaurants at the resort. Along with the Cruize Bar Brasserie, it offered a children's menu, unlike the eighteen 69 Bar and Scottish Tapas which catered solely for adults. The food was excellent and the service superb; the staff showed considerable understanding as our screaming, out-of-sorts toddler refused to eat, sleep or do anything we wanted him to. Eventually, once our youngest had finally drifted off to sleep, I opted for the aptly named "Auchrannie tower", a delicious melt-in-the-mouth cacophony of black pudding, mash, bacon, smoked haddock and poached egg, while my other half chose steamed mussels from Shetland bathed in Chorizo and tomato sauce, which by all accounts ranks as the finest plate of mussels she has ever had.

On day two, torrential rain meant outdoor pursuits were out of the question. However, not to be deterred, we decided to take the car for a spin around the island's 55-mile circumference. We travelled anti-clockwise, heading north, passing through the picturesque Corrie and Sannox before stopping off briefly to visit Lochranza Castle. Keeping our elder son interested throughout was a challenge, but attempts at spotting an elusive red squirrel or docile deer wandering by the roadside did help ease the monotony. Nevertheless, by the time we reached the west of the island the constant cries of "Can we go back to our hotel room?" were beginning to wear thin. So it was with considerable relief that the Old Byre visitor centre at Machrie hoved into view just as the downpour dissipated.

Consisting of a café, showroom, pottery shop and children's play area, this oasis in our journey also afforded amazing views across the Kilbrannan Sound to Kintyre. And the outdoor facilities gave Dad a chance to take a few shots at goal and relive some past glories, although the high winds in such an exposed location saw our attempts at tennis and badminton descend into slapstick farce.

Once we had returned from our expedition, and with the wet and windy weather returning with a vengeance, the next stop was Arran Aromatics. Setting foot in the shop is quite an assault on the olfactory senses, as fragrances and scents entitled Driftwood or Bay Citrus compete to overwhelm the visitor's nasal passages. Of course, my wife loves it. And at a reasonable cost, your child can learn how to create multi-coloured candles and design a bar of soap. Dressed in a bright yellow overall and wearing protective goggles (the similarity to a Minion was not missed) our budding young scientist enjoyed dipping candles into vats of hot dyed wax, while Mum and Dad learnt a thing or two as well.

Then it was back to the resort and another dip in the pool before dinner. Luxuriating in the warm water felt deliciously decadent as the storm pummelled the windows of the leisure facility outside. Thoughts of hillwakers and cyclists battling the elements as they walked or pedalled around the island somehow made our experience all the more pleasurable.

For our third and final day, we visited Brodick Castle to see how the great and good once lived - when Arran was regarded by the Hamilton family as a convivial stopping off point for hunting and shooting. The fruits of their "labour" are still on display in the main hallway entrance, and I'm not sure if it was the dismembered heads of deer peering down from the walls that freaked out our youngest but my visit inside the castle had to be cut short, although I did get a chance to wander round later.

Of much more interest to our little angels was the "woollen woods trail" at the back of the castle grounds. Knitted animals of all shape and sizes dotted along a path proved an excellent way to entertain the boys, a far cry from the brutal legacy of our forebears.

As our visit drew to a close, we had enough time to enjoy the sun and play on the beach at Whiting Bay before the ferry whisked us away. Arran is blessed with plenty of sandy beaches and rock pools - Kildonan, Kilmory, Blackwaterfoot, Brodick, Lamlash and Whiting Bay - a natural beauty that offers hours of fun for youngsters, and doesn't cost a penny.

Mark Eadie was a guest at the Auchrannie Resort in Brodick, Arran. Tel: 01770 302234 or Email:info@auchrannie.co.uk or go to www.auchrannie.co.uk. The "Kids Eat, Stay & Play for Free" package includes accommodation, dinner and breakfast for the whole family along with daily Playbarn access. Summer prices start from around £169 per family of four per night. For an extra £35 a night upgrade to an Executive Room and for an extra £100 a night upgrade to an Executive Suite.

The Old Byre Visitor Centre: www.oldbyre.co.uk Brodick Castle: www.nts.org.uk

5 Arran adventures for children

Get sporty: Arran Adventure Company: Outdoor pursuits such as cycling (bikes with Taga-longs and child seats) and field archery for families with children aged six upwards. www.arranadventure.com or Tel: 01770 303 349

Saddle up: North Sannox Pony Trekking Centre, Sannox: Suitable for children aged 5 and upwards. www.northsannoxponytrekking.co.uk or Tel: 01770 810222

Go crazy: Balmichael Arran Family Fun Park, Shiskine: Features include go karts, bouncing pillows and 50ft pole jump. Tel 01770 465172

Discover dinosaur footprints: Examples of Chirotherium footprints, dating between 225 million and 195 million years ago, can be seen near Bennecarrigan close to the village of Sliddery and along the shoreline between Drumadoon point and King's Cave on the island's west coast.

Have a picnic: Sandy beaches and idyllic glens offer an abundance of places for families to enjoy the fresh air, weather permitting, and sample some of Arran's local food produce such as cheese made from 100 per cent Arran milk from Torrylinn Creamery or Arran Fine Foods for a selection of chutneys, mustards and jams. www.realarrancheese.com and www.taste-of-arran.co.uk