IT'S said that we Scots betray a wanderlust that extends well beyond these islands, but are less enthusiastic about exploring our immediate surroundings.

Planning a weekend away, I decide to spurn exotic climes in favour of somewhere closer to home. I am destined for Arran, an hour's drive from Glasgow and a short ferry hop from the port of Ardrossan on the mainland. Just 20 miles long and 10 miles wide, the island has earned it's somewhat cliched title, "Scotland in miniature", thanks to the dramatic granite peaks in the north and lush, low-lying terrain to the south, and it boasts miles of sweeping moorland, wooded glens, wide sandy beaches and impressive waterfalls.

I am staying at the family-run Auchrannie Resort, which is less than a five-minute drive from the island's ferry port. It started out as a small hotel but has been extended to include a spa resort and country club with self-catering lodges. My Arran home is a luxury lodge; with its cosy lounge and pretty terrace enjoying views of the hills and glens, it a perfect base for my twin purposes of exploring the island, and kicking back and relaxing.

The pile of information pamphlets is almost as mountainous as the surrounding terrain, and the list of activities available appears many and varied, from sea kayaking, cycling and mountaineering to and pony trekking and abseiling. Arran is heaven for wildlife lovers (the squirrels are red not grey). As for those who like to ruin a good walk, there are seven golf courses to swing a club about in. Scotland's range of dramatic landscapes can all be experienced on this one island, I'm told, and they are best explored by pulling on the hiking boots or saddling up on a bicycle. The most interesting of its wondrous protrusions vaguely mimics the image of a warrior sleeping on his back, and the highest - the heather-clad Goat Fell (meaning "Mountain of Wind"), rises to nearly 3,000ft. The latter was the scene of a gruesome murder in 1889 when, the story goes, a Scotsman and an Englishman went up a hill and only one came down alive ...

I have hired a car, so I leave the island's energetic delights and vertiginous vistas to more energetic visitors. Outdoor type I am not; I don't own a pair of walking boots, and never intend to. So I take the road north to explore the island coastal route on four wheels, with warm dry feet, despite the fact that it's pouring down.

First stop, just north of Brodick, is the visitor centre for Arran Aromatics at Home Farm where you can stock up on all manner of scented luxuries and breathe in the sweet smell of success. Island Cheese Co is also situated here, and offers a huge selection of Arran and Scottish cheeses, a selection of other Arran food products and a large viewing window which allows you to see into the dairy and watch the cheese-makers at work. (Blessed are the cheese-makers). I favour eating cheese to to watching it, so after stocking up on a potentially heart-stopping quantity I follow the road north, passing the elegant Brodick Castle, where, according to my extensive research, Prince Ranier of Monaco spent many a childhood holiday.

Up and over some hill or other, and I'm greeted by the lovely village of Lochranza, today, wreathed in mist and rain. The 13th-century castle, said to have been the inspiration for the castle in The Black Island, Hergé's Tintin adventure, looks otherworldly in its beauty.

I have read that the local deer can be seen here, come down from the hills to crop the grass, but sadly not today. Through the mist I can see the faint outline of boats bobbing in the harbour. This is a charming place with a slow heartbeat.

A tiny ferry operates from Lochranza to Claonaig on the Kintyre peninsula. Notably, the village is home to The Isle of Arran Distillery, which producing golden drams from the island's granite filtered water. Breaking a gap of 160 years, the stills of Arran's only legal distillery were fired-up in June 1995, breaking a dry spell of 160 years. Apparently, when the Queen came for the opening day, a pair of golden eagles, which nest nearby, did a fly-past.

Today, the distillery's visitor centre and cafe offers tours, and delicious home baking.

The Highland fault line divides the island, separating the verdant south from the wilder mountainous landscape of the north. The change of terrain becomes evident as I drive down the south west coast of Arran, overlooking the Kilbrannan Sound, where there is a series of ancient sandstone caves. One of these caves, King's Cave, is home to a world-famous legend - the story of Robert the Bruce and that spider. Actually, it's only one of several locations claimed to be the site of that famous encounter but being an arachnophobe, I decide not to take the risk, and head towards Blackwaterfoot. Palm trees grow here thanks to the same Gulf Stream that enabled exotic flora to flower in that great British horror, The Wicker Man.

The landscape in the south is gentler; the road drops into little wooded valleys, and it's particularly lovely around Lagg, where a 10-minute walk leads to Torrylinn Cairn, a chambered tomb that's more than 4,000 years old. Kildonan has pleasant sandy beaches, a gorgeous outlook, and an ivy-clad ruined castle.

In genteel Whiting Bay, the weather takes a turn for the better. I find small sandy beaches and an easy one-hour slalom walk through sweet-smelling pines to the Giant's Graves and the graceful Glenashdale Falls and back to the comfort of the car.

On to Lamlash, passing the tiny Holy Isle, currently a Buddhist retreat owned by Lama, Yeshe Rinpoche. It took him almost a decade to raise the £350,000 needed to buy it (reduced from £1m) after receiving "instructions" during "dream yoga" to re-establish it as "a place of harmony". From the shores oh Lamlash, it looks precisely that

Back in Brodick, I ensconce myself in local pub, the Oriadale. Surrounded by local musicians and a roaring fire, sipping a glass of Arrans finest, I kick back and relax

As the boat takes me back to Adrossan the following day, having dipped my toe in the waters around this beautiful, diverse island, I'm already planning my return and perhaps a more adventurous schedule.

Travel notes

Lian's trip was organised by Hertz as part of the Exploring The Best Of The Inner Hebrides from Glasgow road trip: www.hertz.co.uk/p/on-the-road/best-of-the-inner-hebrides. Car hire was organised from Glasgow: https://www.hertz.co.uk/p/car-hire/uk/glasgow

There are several ferry crossings a day between Ardrossan, in North Ayrshire, and Brodick in Arran www.calmac.co.uk

Lian stayed two nights at The Auchrannie Resort, a destination in itself comprising two 4 star hotels, a collection of 5 star self-catering luxury lodges, a spa and much more. http://auchrannie.co.uk/