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The Isle of Arran, or 'Scotland in Miniature' as it’s often referred to, is a most beautiful, varied and interesting place. Experience Highlands, Lowlands, sheep, hairy coos, waterfalls, white sand beaches, locally-distilled whisky and traditional 'haggis' all in one week. It is the biggest island in the Firth of Clyde and also the most accessible island on Scotland's West Coast, with a regular 1-hour ferry crossing from near Glasgow drawing you in. When you arrive, the silhouette of Goat Fell dominates the horizon.
The island was formed 500 million years ago, the big peaks are much younger, around 58 million years. Much of the island was once connected to what became North America and the island has been shaped by nature from the stunning fells in the north to the undulating pastures in the south and is a geologist's paradise. On this walking holiday you follow most of the Arran Coastal Way, classified as one of "Scotland's Great Trails". This was conceived in the 1990s by two locals (Hugh McKerrell and Richard Sim) who had a dream to create a walk around the island’s entire coastline. Encounter a variety of rocky outcrops, sumptuous sandy beaches and interesting historical places. These include the caves along the west coast, that have been used by smugglers and Kings, through to iron-age stone circles. No two days on this walk will be the same. Arran is where James Hutton in the 1780s demonstrated rock uncomformity and showed the great age of the earth. There are not many places on Earth where over 3 kms, you can see evidence of changing environments that span more than 100 million years from Devonian to Permian times. The island also has fossilized tracks of giant millipedes called Arthropleura as well as Chirotherium dinosaur hand and footprints. There are also some good wildlife spotting opportunities along the walk, from deer, seals, Basking sharks to Golden eagles; so bring some binoculars with you.
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12kg of CO2-e PP per day
(86kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive in Brodick
Make your own way to Brodick on the Isle of Arran. Travel to Ardrossan (1 hour by train from Glasgow) and take the short ferry ride across to Brodick. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the town or even go for a short walk on the beach. With a couple of hours you could visit Visit Brodick Castle and gardens. The castle was the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton and contains a fabulous collection of valuable artefacts. Or you could visit the Arran heritage Museum to learn a bit more about the history and nature of the island. Accommodation: You will stay in a B&B close to the ferry, making it easy to find and transport your luggage.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Brodick to Whiting Bay, transfer to Lamlash (11.2 miles/18km, 5hrs)
Begin your walking holiday on the Arran Coastal Way starting from your B&B. Enjoy views east across to the Scottish mainland and to Holy Island, owned by the Buddhist monks of Samye Ling Monastery. Walk mainly on footpaths with the occasional section on quiet lanes and pass Corriegills Point and Clauchlands Point. The walk then joins the lane through Lamlash, and onwards. Keep an eye out for the Viking Burial Ground at Kingscross Point. From the end of your walk at Whiting Bay, you will be picked up for a short transfer to your overnight accommodation in Lamlash. Perhaps have a meal or drink from one of the taverns with views to Holy island. Accommodation: Overnight at a welcoming property in Lamlash.
Meals: B
Day 3
Bus to Sliddery, then walk to Blackwaterfoot (7.5 miles/12km, 4hrs)
The day starts with a ride on the public bus to Sliddery, near Lagg. You might want to visit the whisky distillery near Lagg before starting the walk along the Arran Coastal Way to Blackwaterfoot. You will pass by the little Preaching Cave, accessible via the coastal footpath, which was once used as a school, a meeting and a preaching house by a breakaway group of the Free Church of Scotland. The terrain today is a mix of rocky, boggy and undulating paths and quiet lanes. Note that today we miss out the 16km/10 mile section between Whiting Bay and Lagg, because the coastal trail is largely only accessible at low tide. It also involves an extensive slippery section of scrambling over boulders. There is an inland alternate route some of the way, but this is largely through plantation forest which is not the most attractive of walking. Accommodation: Stay at a friendly, family-run B&B. Enjoy with fantastic views towards the sea and Arran's mountains.
Day 4
Blackwaterfoot: walk to Machrie Standing Stones (8.1 miles/13km, 4.5hrs)
It's a day laden with history, which starts with passing the 2000-year-old Doon Fort. Also known as the Drumadoon Hill Fort, it used the cliffs by the sea to fend off attacks from the water and a 3-metre tick wall on the other sides. It is the largest hillfort on the Isle of Arran. Continue along the 200-million-year-old Triassic Cliffs and past dinosaur footprints before arriving at the spectacular Kings Cave, actually a selection of caves. It features Robert the Bruce amongst its visitors - this is the cave where he famously watched the spider which inspired him to persist in his fight against the English - and has graffiti carved into the rock, both modern and Mediaeval. The walk culminates at the amazing Standing Stones of Machrie Moor. As there is nowhere to stay in Machrie, from here you'll be picked up for a transfer back to the same accommodation in Blackwaterfoot as last night.
Day 5
Machrie to Lochranza (12.4 miles/20km, 6hrs)
After breakfast, you will take the public bus to Machrie from where you continue along the Arran Coastal Way. You'll be delighted with more spectacular views west across the Kilbrannan Sound to Kintyre. Most of today's walking is on a quiet lane and you might want to stop for a break at the Pirnmill Lighthouse and café serving local and Scottish produce. Accommodation: Stay at an inn in Lochranza. The Inn offers a fully licensed bar with a beer garden overlooking Lochranza and the Kilbrannan Sound towards Kintyre.
Day 6
Lochranza to Corrie (10.9 miles/17.5km, 5hrs)
A lovely, if remote section, passing around the northern tip of the island, which is also called the Cock of Arran. Make sure you look out for the site of Hutton''s Uncomformity, where layers of rock reveal that the Earth is millions of years old. You will also be rewarded with views across to the Isles of Inchmarnock, and Bute. Walking beside the coast and under the steep sides of Corloch, you'll then come across Fallen Rocks. This site is dominated by giant boulders that tumbled down from the cliff-face toward the shore. Next follows a woodland section and more standing stones before you reach Sannox Bay. Then walk into the village of Corrie. Accommodation: You'll stay at the only hotel in the villlage and benefit from its beer garden, which is a former croquet lawn sitting right on the shoreline. Rooms are bright and come with an ensuite, with two of the single rooms sharing a bathroom. If this is unavailable, you may stay another night in Lochranza (transfers excl).
Day 7
Corrie to Brodick over Goat Fell (8.7 or 6.2 miles/14 or 10km, 5hrs)
The grandstand finish of your walk around the Isle of Arran! Walk away from the coast and follow the stream of Corrie Burn to climb up Goat Fell, the highest point of the island at 874m/2867ft. This is a stunning granite ridge, formed along the Highland Fault 58 million years ago, and offering amazing views in all directions. The name does not refer to goats, but 'goath' was ancient gaelic for windy - and it certainly can be. Finish with a steady descent through Merkland Wood and past the Castle, Garden & Country Park into Brodick. If the weather is particularly inclement or you don’t wish to go high, then you can opt for the lovely, low-level alternative path that passes through the wood which allows time for a castle visit. Accommodation: Return normally to the same accommodation in Brodick as on day 1.
Day 8
Arrangements end after breakfast
Depart Brodick by ferry to Ardrossan (own arrangements) for your onward travel.
What's included
What's not included
The hotels described are our usual accommodation, however if these are not available then alternatives are used. Rooms generally do not have baths, the main reason being that they take up a lot of space. Some hotels/guesthouses may have a separate room in the house where a bath is available to guests, but in the main it is showers. Note that for the dates of your tour we may not be able to get you into the accommodation described. We will endeavour to get you into a similar standard of accommodation nearby, but please appreciate that there is limited accommodation in rural England. Also, although we aim to get you into accommodations with ensuite rooms, this is not always possible. At a couple of places on your tour you may be sharing bathrooms, particularly if you are in a single room.
We grade this walk as Moderate. The route is varied and can be strenuous in places, with regular ascents and descents typically between 150–400 m/492–1,312 ft, and there is option to climb Goat Fell (874 m / 2,867 ft), the island’s highest peak. Walking is on a mix of rough gravel paths, forest tracks, quiet coastal roads and occasional stony beach sections with boulders. Underfoot conditions can be uneven, and rocks may be slippery after rain or when exposed by the tide. At times, the route follows coastal roads where the terrain drops directly to the sea. Daily distances can be up to 20 km/12.5 mi, which is achievable for most reasonably fit walkers. Weather conditions are generally suitable for walking, and there are regular opportunities to rest and enjoy the scenery along the way.
Per Person, Twin Share
Arran is a charming island with incredibly diverse scenery. The northern part of the island is wild and dramatic, with high peaks and deep glens much like the Scottish Highlands. The southern part of the island is more rolling with green fields and farms, like the Scottish Lowlands. The coastal views are incredible - on a good day you can see south to the English Lake District, west to Kintyre and north to Islay and Jura. The island is easy to navigate around with friendly locals and regular bus services. There are some fantastic restaurants, too. A world away from the mainland, but still close and easy to get to.
Arran is Scotland's most accessible island. From Glasgow, take the 1 hour train journey to Ardrossan and then the 45 minute ferry to Brodick on the island. It's easy to book tickets and travel as a foot passenger on the ferry. There are regular sailings every day. If you are arriving into Glasgow Airport, take the regular bus (or a taxi) to nearby Paisley Gilmour Street station and board the train from here, shaving 10 minutes off the train time. You can check trains at www.scotrail.co.uk and ferries at www.calmac.co.uk.
Yes, you are essentially following the Arran Coastal Way from Brodick in a clockwise direction and finish back in Brodick for a last night. We miss out a couple of more difficult tidal sections of the route to make it easy to follow and accessible.
We usually say it is worthwhile to spend extra time in Brodick to visit the castle & garden or Heritage Museum or spend time along the beach. You may also wish to add 1-2 nights in Glasgow to explore this vibrant Scottish city.
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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