SARAH HARKNESS, AUTHOR ARRAN Where is it? The 10 miles of beautiful, peaceful coast between Corrie and Lamlash on Arran, in the shadow of Goatfell. Why do you go there? I went in search of the Macmillan family. In particular, Daniel Macmillan, grandfather of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, and the founder, with his brother Alexander, of the Macmillan publishing company.
Daniel was born in a humble croft on the hill above Corrie. His paternal grandfather was the tacksman at North Cock, near Lochranza, and his mother came from a crofting family in Corrie. How often do you go? Sadly, I have only been once, but would love to visit again.
The Macmillan family returned regularly, stayed at The Corrie Inn, and walked the paths over the fells to Lochranza. There is a memorial to Alexander Macmillan on the wall of the church at Lochranza. Sarah Harkness (Image: unknown) How did you discover it? I had been studying and writing about the Macmillans and their history for five years, right through Lockdown, and was just itching to get to Scotland and see for myself.
We stayed in Brodick and slowly explored the coast road. Sadly, there is little trace of the Macmillan croft these days. What’s your favourite memory? Two things: Finding the tombstone to the Rev Alexander Mackay in Sannox graveyard - he was married to Daniel’s aunt and was such an important figure in the Haldane Revival on the island from 1806 onwards.
Then down nearer the sea, stumbling across the Sannox chapel, such a .
