Photographs of an abandoned hostel on the Isle of Arran have captured attention after urban explorer Natasha McCallum visited the site and documented her findings in vivid detail. McCallum, who leads the blog "Exploring with Natasha," is known for her ventures into Scotland’s forgotten places. On May 16, she shared striking images of the former Corrie Croft Bunkhouse, a once-popular retreat for Scottish holidaymakers, now derelict and overgrown.
The Corrie Croft Bunkhouse, nestled behind the village of Corrie and near the majestic Goatfell mountain, has a rich history as a holiday destination. For decades, it served as a haven for families eager to explore the rugged landscape of Arran. McCallum’s visit highlighted the stark contrast between the building’s active past and its current state. Inside the bunkhouse, remnants of the building’s former life remain—wooden bunk beds, a kitchen, and a communal lounging area still visible beneath a layer of decay and nature’s reclaiming hand.
“Nature is claiming the entire place now; some of the buildings you can’t get into with it being so overgrown,” McCallum observed during her exploration. “It’s in such a beautiful area, it’s sad to see it rot and decay like this.” With nostalgia echoing in her words, she lamented the lack of efforts to revive the hostel for community use, suggesting, “It was such a great explore. Something very different; I definitely would have loved to have stayed there as a child. I really hope someone can save it.”
The reaction to McCallum’s photographs has been overwhelmingly sentimental, with many Scots expressing their memories of the hostel in the comments. Previous guests reminisced about their experiences, one recalling a week spent there in June 1976, while another shared stories of climbing Goatfell in snowy conditions in 1978. The shared nostalgia not only underscores the hostel's significance to the community but also highlights the emotional ties to a place now lost to time.
Historically, Corrie has served as a lively spot for visitors arriving by steamers that once circumnavigated the island. During its heyday, passengers would disembark via rowing boats, continuing a tradition of adventure that the area encapsulated. Moreover, the village has a creative legacy, being frequented by esteemed artists like Joan Eardley and Margot Sandeman, who found inspiration in the island’s raw beauty.
As the remnants of the Corrie Croft Bunkhouse continue to deteriorate, the plea for revitalisation resonates with locals and visitors alike. Many hope that, someday, the site could be transformed back into a vibrant community space, continuing its legacy as a holiday haven for future generations. McCallum’s evocative exploration not only reveals a haunting beauty but also serves as a timely reminder of the importance of preserving Scotland’s rich cultural heritage for the future.
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Source: Noah Wire Services