Referred to as ‘Scotland in miniature,’ the Isle of Arran offers a captivating blend of highland and lowland landscapes, complete with sheep, hairy coos, waterfalls, and white sand beaches. Easily accessible with a 1-hour ferry ride from the west coast of Scotland, Arran boasts diverse terrain, making it a geologist's paradise with rocky outcrops, caves and historical sites, including fossilised dinosaur footprints.
Explore the renowned Arran Coastal Way known as one of "Scotland's Great Trails." This well-established trail was conceived by locals (Hugh McKerrell and Richard Sim) in the 1990s who had a dream to create a walk around the island’s entire coastline. It has now become a reality through community funding which has helped with access, signage, and trail laying.
Walking around the Scottish island experience quiet roads, coastal paths, rocky shores, forests, and mountain trails. A particular highlight is ascending Goatfell (874m), the island's highest point, providing a challenging yet rewarding hike with spectacular views of the Scottish mainland and Holy Island.
Arran holds geological significance, featuring rocks spanning over 500 million years with evidence of changing environments and fossilised tracks of ancient creatures. It’s known for its famous boundary fault where James Hutton in the 1780s demonstrated rock unconformity and showed the great age of the earth. There are not many places where over 3 kilometres you can see evidence of changing environments that span more than 100 million years from Devonian to Permian times. The island also has fossilised tracks of giant millipede called Arthropleura as well as Chirotherium dinosaur hand and footprints.
Located where the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea meet, the Isle of Arran is a convenient visit from Glasgow which promises a week filled with natural wonders, historical intrigue, amazing wildlife and unforgettable landscapes.