At the end of last year, one of my best friends came to visit me in the UK. I had only a few days off work, but we decided to spend a few days in Scotland – specifically the Isle of Arran, in the Firth of Clyde. With mountains, glens, historic sites, and beautiful coastline, the Isle of Arran is often called “Scotland in miniature.” This is an incredible place to visit in Scotland – here’s my complete guide on what to see and do on the Isle of Arran!
How to Get to the Isle of Arran
The easiest way to get to the Isle of Arran is by CalMac ferry, which leaves from the town of Ardrossan. It’s very accessible by public transport, as Ardrossan has a train station with direct trains to Glasgow. The ferry journey takes approximately 1 hour, and prices are very affordable. For two passengers and a car, I paid £49.50 total. If you’re staying overnight in Ardrossan, I definitely recommend staying at Arran Ferry Apartment. It’s just about across the street from the train station, with free street parking available, and only a short walk away from the ferry terminal. The apartment was huge and it made for a great overnight stop! There is also a seasonal ferry that runs from Claonaig to Lochranza.
Driving on the Isle of Arran
The Isle of Arran has one main road (the A841) that circumnavigates the whole island. I found the roads to be in good condition, and this road was one lane each (ie. not single-track road) all the way around the island for the most part. There’s one main road, the B880 (or the String Road) that runs between Brodick and Blackwaterfoot across the width of the island. There are plenty of other roads, but it’s straightforward to get around and the driving isn’t difficult.
What to See and Do on the Isle of Arran
I divided my time on the Isle of Arran up with one full day for the south of the island and one for the north of the island. I had nearly a full day when we arrived (when we hiked Goatfell and spent time around Brodick) after the morning ferry. We also had a morning before we left, to do a few last hikes that we’d missed. Keep in mind that a lot of places close between November and March for the winter season – we weren’t able to visit as many attractions, cafes, or restaurants, as they were already shut for the season. These are my recommendations on what to do on the Isle of Arran!
What to Do Around Brodick
Brodick is the main town on the Isle of Arran – it’s the ferry port, too. So you’ll likely be spending time here, and the majority of accommodation is located around here.
Goatfell
The highest peak on the Isle of Arran, Goatfell should not be missed on a trip here. It’s 874 meters high and by far one of the best walks. The route starts from the Cladach Center, where there is a large free car park across the street. It’s relatively easy to follow the path through a forestry plantation, and out over the open moorland. Eventually the path starts its steep climb up to the summit – which was unfortunately covered in cloud when we made it up there! It took us about 2 hours and 15 minutes to get up to the top, which included plenty of photo stops. The easiest route is an out-and-back, so we descended the same way we came. The entire walk was just over 7 miles and took us 4 hours and 40 minutes total, including having lunch at the summit.
The scenery here over Arran is beautiful. I’d love to come back when there’s a view from the summit! I’ll be writing a full guide on this hike soon, but you can also check out the WalkHighlands route.
Glen Rosa
Glen Rosa was my favorite walk, hands down, on the Isle of Arran. You can start this hike from the same car park as Goatfell, you will just have a bit of road walking at the very end. The trail goes through the woods and then comes out into the glen – follow it through to see the stunning waterfalls and picture-perfect views of Cir Mhor peak in the distance. This hike was about 5.5 miles and took just over 2 hours, including lots of photo stops.
This is always going to be a special place to me. As we were leaving the glen, I was so happy I started crying – so grateful for the life I’ve rebuilt, so grateful that I’ll be able to continue exploring wonderful places like this in Scotland, in the UK, and around the world. So much genuine happiness and gratitude.
Glen Sannox
Unfortunately I didn’t have great weather when I walked out to Glen Sannox (being massively hungover didn’t help either, lol). So this walk was slightly shorter than intended. There is a small parking area in Sannox, where a signposted track leads to Glen Sannox. It’s a stunning glen, with a brook running through the moorland and in-between the mountains. We hiked 2 miles, which took us 50 minutes altogether. We did see deer here though!
Brodick Castle
Unfortunately, Brodick Castle was closed for winter when we were there, although the gardens were open. The castle dates to 1844 and you can catch a nice glimpse of it from the ferry if you keep your eyes out. It’s run by the National Trust for Scotland, and there is an admission fee.
Arran Brewery
By the Cladach Center, Arran Brewery has a small shop where you can pick up some beers from the brewery. They’ve got lots of options to choose from, my favorite was the Arran Blonde followed by Arran Red Squirrel. You can book beer tastings and/or brewery tours on their website.
Arran’s Cheese Shop
The Arran’s Cheese Shop is just outside of Brodick, and makes a perfect stop for stocking up on a range of tasty cheeses from the island. I got a few cheeses and can confirm they are excellent! They have a large window in the shop through to where you can see the cheese being made.
Arran Heritage Museum
If you’re interested in learning about the island’s history, make sure to visit the Arran Heritage Museum. This was closed when we visited in winter, but they have exhibits on the region’s archeology and geology. Their main exhibition focuses on social history, and you can learn about village life and farming methods.
Brodick: Crofters Arran
There are several shops, cafes, and a few restaurants and pubs in Brodick – along with a lot of accommodation options. I can’t recommend Crofters Arran enough: this is a fantastic pub, with a great atmosphere, friendly staff, and unbelievable food. Although the prices are on the expensive side, Crofter’s has a huge focus on local ingredients and source most of their meat and produce on the island. We split mussels for the starter, and I had the roast chicken breast for a main, which was excellent. They also do live music, and after two nights there we felt like we were part of the family. I can’t recommend them enough if you’re in Brodick!
What to Do on the Southern Part of Arran
Glenashdale Falls and Giant’s Graves
This is another fantastic walk on the Isle of Arran. The route starts from Ashdale Bridge in Whiting Bay on the A841, and goes through the woods to a spectacular viewing platform at Glenashdale Falls. Continue on the path to the Giant’s Graves, a set of two Neolithic chambered burial cairns. You then hike down through the forestry plantation and back to Whiting Bay. This hike was about 3.75 miles and took us 1 hour and 20 minutes in total.
Eas Mor
Eas Mor is a beautiful waterfall on the Isle of Arran. There is a steep hike up through the woods, however the views of the waterfall are really beautiful. You can continue the hike up to Loch Garbad, or return in a loop back to one of the two parking areas. It takes about 10-15 minutes to get to the waterfall viewpoint from the car park.
The Holy Island
If you’re visiting the Isle of Arran during the peak season, I’d definitely recommend visiting the Holy Island for the day. It has been a spiritual hermitage since the 6th century. Lamlash Ferries run daytrips to the island, which has walking trails and an information center. It’s home to a retreat center, so you can actually stay here if you like.
Lagg Distillery
The newer sister distillery to Lochranza Distillery, Lagg Distillery has an excellent visitor center on the southern part of Arran. You can book a tour or tasting here, visit the gift shop, or enjoy the sea views from their huge windows as you eat in the café and bistro Even if you aren’t a huge whiskey fan, I definitely recommend a stop here for the location and views!
King’s Cave
This was another of my favorite walks on the Isle of Arran. You can follow this trail in a loop, through the forest to the coast. As you walk along the coast, you’ll see a few small caves – and one big cave, King’s Cave. It took us about 40 minutes to get to King’s Cave. I absolutely loved being by the sea here, even though it was windy and raining! King’s Cave is definitely a little spooky to explore – but there are cool carvings to check out on the walls. Robert the Bruce supposedly hid here before the Battle of Bannockburn, although that’s probably a legend. The entire loop was 3.2 miles and took us 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Machrie Moor Standing Stones
If you’re visiting Arran for history, you can’t beat a visit to the Machrie Moor Standing Stones. These standing stones date back to 3500 to 1500 BCE, and they are magnificent to visit. I was in awe of just how big they are – and that they’re still standing! There is a car park where you can leave your car, and it’s about a 25-minute walk to the main set of stones. We spent 1 hour here in total.
What to Do on the Northern Part of Arran
Coire Fhionn Lochan
Another fantastic hike that can’t be missed on the Isle of Arran is Coire Fhionn Lochan. There is a small layby on the road, and an easy path that heads up onto the moorland above the western coast of Arran. There are several waterfalls to see on the way up, and the views are phenomenal. The loch is so quiet and secluded – there’s also a ridge walk you can do over the hills that tower over the loch. It was so calm here, I just loved it. The hike is approximately 3.7 miles and took us 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Catacol (Twelve Apostles)
This row of fishermen’s cottages near Pirnmill Beach in Catacol are called the Twelve Apostles. Legend has it that the fishermen’s wives would light a candle in the window of each house – and all the windows are different shapes and sizes. It’s a pretty part to visit on the west coast of Arran!
Lochranza Castle
This castle dates back to the 1200s, and is located on a peninsula that juts out into the water around Lochranza. There’s no access to the inside of the castle, but it’s still a historic monument that you should see as you drive around Arran.
Lochranza Distillery
Lochranza Distillery is much older than the newer Lagg Distillery, it dates back to the mid-90s. When the first cask was opened in 1998, it was the first legal dram on Arran for over 160 years. They also run distillery tours here, where you can learn all about the history of the whiskey and how it’s made. I stocked up on whiskey here, as I do on every trip to Scotland – a tradition I started in 2021. The Arran Single Malt is fantastic.
Beaches on the Isle of Arran
The Isle of Arran is home to several wonderful beaches around the island. In the south of the island, some of the top beaches are: Lamlash Beach, Whiting Bay, Kildonan Beach, Kilmory Beach, Blackwaterfoot Beach, and Pirnmill Beach. If you visit Kildonan Beach, you can walk across the sand to see the remains of Kildonan Castle (which is on private land). Note that Kilmory Beach is a short 20-minute walk from where you can park.
Best Walks on the Isle of Arran
There are so many excellent walks on the Isle of Arran, it’s hard to pick just one! They are all so varied, with mountains, glens, lochs, waterfalls, and the coast which you can explore. If you’re visiting the Isle of Arran, I’d recommend Goatfell, Glen Rosa, Coire Fhionn Lochan, and King’s Cave as the top hikes on the island.
Planning Your Trip
The Isle of Arran is a perfect island getaway in Scotland – mainly as it’s so easy to get to. Although it’s easiest to have your own set of wheels to get around, you can travel by train to Ardrossan. Frequent trains run from Glasgow Central, which take about 40 minutes. I always book my train tickets in advance on Trainline. From Ardrossan, hop on the ferry to Brodick, and get around the island by bus – buses can take you all around the Isle of Arran, although they will take more time. Glasgow Airport is closest if you’re flying – I book flights through Skyscanner. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
I stayed at Strathwhillan House in Brodick, which I definitely recommend. This cozy B&B has a very convenient location, just a very short walk to the ferry terminal and main street in Brodick. The breakfast here was excellent, and there’s free parking. There’s also bunkhouse accommodation available at Shore Lodge, and Lochranza Youth Hostel has budget accommodation, too. You can search for hostels here, or for more hotels/B&Bs here.
Looking for a tour to the Isle of Arran? Check out these multi-day tours that visit the island!
I loved my visit to the Isle of Arran. Even though we went in November, there was still plenty of things to keep us busy in the off-season – and the scenery on all of our hikes was still phenomenal. Arran really does have it all, and it’s well worthy of its title “Scotland in miniature.” If you want to experience a Scottish island, it’s an easily accessible island to get to – especially from Glasgow. I hope this Isle of Arran travel guide helps in planning your trip!
Have you visited the Isle of Arran before? What were your favorite places on the island?
You might also like my posts:
A Travel Guide for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Scotland
What to See on the Isle of Mull and Iona in Scotland
What to See and Do in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
A 7-Day Itinerary for Scotland’s North Coast 500 Road Trip
Alternative Isle of Skye: 4 Ways to Avoid the Crowds
What to See and Do in and Around Inverness
All of my Scotland posts!
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[…] over the year: Dumfries and Galloway, the Isle of Mull, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, and the Isle of Arran. Each of them was amazing in their own way, and I fully intend to explore as much of Scotland as I […]