Misty mountains, wooded glens, and soft, sandy beaches serenade the traveller on this enchanting island. On Arran, you can hike Goatfell, explore Viking ruins, wander flower-filled glens, swim in glassy bays, savour seafood, or stroll charming villages. Whether seeking outdoor adventure, historical intrigue, or island serenity, Arran’s magic awaits. In our car-free Arran travel guide, we share with you the best things to do on Arran and the best places to eat on Arran.
Isle of Arran | Scotland
The chiaroscuro of light and colour left us speechless! We watched the turquoise waters of the Firth of Clyde sparkle as the ferry approached Arran. Where the fleeting clouds cast their shadow, the water was darker: almost as purple as a bruise. Elsewhere, it appeared jade and cerulean, countless shades of blue changing with the light. Before us, the Isle of Arran appeared to float on the water, on a ring of hazy light. It is mesmerising and nothing like the greyness usually associated with Scotland. The scenery, all shimmery in sunlight, reminds us of the tropical islands, of the time we spent on Langkawi.
Located in the Firth of Clyde on the west coast of Scotland, the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde is Scotland’s seventh largest island. It is often called Scotland in miniature for the Highland Boundary Fault slices through the island and splits it into lofty highlands and rolling lowlands. When researching things to do on Arran, we found that despite its size– Arran is just twenty miles long and ten miles wide– Arran has something for everyone. There are ancient castles and standing stones, misty mountains and gorgeous beaches, quirky guesthouses and fishing cottages, delicious seafood and single-malt whisky– we were spoilt for choice! In summer when the heather blooms, swathes of mountains are blanketed in purple. Now, the bright yellow gorse was ruling the roost. As we ride the bus towards Lochranza, we keep our eyes peeled for seals, deer and golden eagles. Birds, they are everywhere: hopping on branches and boughs, bobbing on the water, soaring in the sunlit sky.
Why Visit Arran
Because Arran is gorgeous!
Accessibility // Located off the coast of Ayr, Arran is one of the most accessible Scottish islands! A 40 min train from Glasgow to the ferry port in Ardossan, then a 50 min ferry ride and you are on Arran. Yes, it is that simple!
Public Transport // On Arran, it is not difficult to travel without a car. Buses run along the main roads which makes it easy to access almost all of the attractions. Taxi services are also available.
Wildlife // Arran has an incredible wealth of wildlife. Want to see birds? There is an endless list of birds on this isle, including the famed golden eagles. Sea creatures? Seals and dolphins! Deer? Sheep? Red squirrels? You can see them all and more! I have never seen such a load of wildlife before, ever.
Scenery // Arran is picturesque. Period.
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How to Reach Arran by Public Transport
Arran is easily accessible by public transport which makes it a great option if you are looking for car-free holidays in Scotland. There are two ferries that connect the Isle of Arran to the mainland and both are run by Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac):
- Ardrossan to Brodick ferry
- Claonaig to Lochranza ferry
The former is the more popular route and is served by a larger vessel. You can book a seat on the CalMac website. If you are travelling by train, Scotrail sells Rail and Sail tickets to Brodick via Ardrossan. The Ardrossan Harbour railway station is a 5 min walk from the ferry terminal.
The Claonaig to Lochranza ferry is not bookable. You turn up in time for the sailing you want and the vehicle queueing areas at both ends are marked out with numbered boxes. Simply park in the next available numbered box and from there proceed onto the ferry once it has arrived.
NOTE: ScotRail’s Rail and Sail tickets are open tickets and do not guarantee you a seat on the ferry. On our way to Arran, we had to wait 3 hours for the next ferry because it was Easter weekend and all seats were booked (a smaller ferry was in operation). On the way back, we showed our Rail and Sail tickets at the ferry terminal in Brodick and reserved seats at no extra cost to avoid another wait.
Public Transport on the Isle of Arran
You do not need a car to explore Arran. Stagecoach runs three buses on the Isle of Arran:
- Route 324 serves the northern half of the island, including the settlements of Lochranza, Catacol, Auchagallon, Machrie, and Blackwaterfoot. This service connects to ferry timings at Brodick and there are 4-5 services a day.
- Route 322 connects Brodick and Blackwaterfoot via The String.
- Route 323 serves the southern half of the island. If you are visiting Lamlash, Whiting Bay, or Kildonan, this is the bus to take. This service is more frequent. Hourly services connect to Whiting Bay.
Note that Sunday services are limited; so, plan ahead if you are travelling on that day. It is best to buy a day ticket (£7.20, 2023) to explore the island. You can pay cash or by contactless on the bus or buy your tickets online. If you are planning to stay longer, the Arran 7-day megarider ticket is £22.30 (adult, 2023).
Taxi services are also available on the Isle of Arran.
Also read: Use our car-free guide to Loch Ness to plan an environment-friendly trip to Nessie’s homeland.
When to Visit Arran
There are things to do on Arran year-round. Every season is different on Arran and the best time to visit Arran depends on what you want to see and do.
Summer is when the heather blooms and the crowds arrive. It is gorgeous, really, the blue, shimmering waters reflecting a blue sky. Book in advance, though, as Arran’s easy accessibility makes it a very busy destination.
Winter is, obviously, grey and drab but if you want solitude, this is your season. Many places are closed but with a wee bit of searching, you can stumble upon some great accommodation deals. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot flocks of wintering birds in this season.
The shoulder seasons, spring and autumn, are our favourite times to visit Arran; spring for its flowers, and autumn for its colours. These are also the best seasons to spot Arran’s birds of prey and also its herds of red deer.
TIP: As everywhere else on the British Isles, note that the weather can be moody all year round, so pack accordingly.
Things to Do On Arran
Most of the things to do on Arran are accessible by bus. Here are our favourites:
Ride the Bus Around the Island
Absolutely one of the best things to do on Arran if you are not driving! There are two main roads on Arran: one around the island, one slashing right through it, and both offer spectacular views.
From Brodick, take bus 324 to Blackwaterfoot. On the way, see the bright blue waters of Corrie, the mountainous scenery of the north– slopes covered with heather and dotted with sheep, ponies, and occasionally, deer–, the sea loch called Loch Ranza that gives its name to Arran’s northernmost town named Lochranza, and its castle reflecting in the waters, the fishermen’s cottages of Catacol, the stretch of blue, blue waters from Pirnmill to your last stoppage. En route, keep an eye out for seals and birds; we spotted seals at Corrie and Auchagallon, and plenty of birds from curlews to oystercatchers and pheasants to seagulls along the way.
Stop for a bite at Blackwaterfoot Bakery, say hello to the swans lazying at the harbour, then board bus 323 back to Brodick. Gorgeous views of Kintyre and verdant farms dotted with sheep will accompany you on this route. The bus goes through Sliddery and Lagg, then to Kildonan from where you can see Pladda Lighthouse, then to Whiting Bay and Lamlash from where you can see the majestic Holy Isle, and then back to Brodick. It is a breathtaking bus ride and you shouldn’t miss it!
Bus 322 will take you right through the mountainous landscape from Brodick to Blackwaterfoot and though you really can’t see the sea on this trip, it is very scenic and feels like a journey through the Highlands.
TIP: If you are going clockwise around the island, sit on the left. If you are going anti-clockwise, sit on the right for the most beautiful views of the water.
Enjoy a Day at the Beach
Arran has some spectacular beaches and each one is unique in its own way. Sannox Bay with its backdrop of misty mountains has pinkish sand. In Catacol, the clear water sparkles over smooth pebbles that form the beach. Right next to the beach in Catacol are the Twelve Apostles, a row of quaint cottages with a differently shaped upstairs window. Further north is Imachar where you can see rock formations. On a sunny day, the water is bright blue. In the south of the island, there is Blackwaterfoot Beach with its soft golden sand and resident swans. Kildonan Beach is also a sandy beach and offers lovely views of the Pladda Lighthouse. The crescent beach at Brodick is a great place for a picnic and offers beautiful views of Goatfell and Brodick Castle.
Walk! Walk! Walk!
Like everywhere else in this country, the Isle of Arran has some gorgeous walks. Here are some of the most loved ones. The starting point for all of these walks can be reached by bus.
Fairy Dell Walk, Lochranza
This is a must-do walk if you like breathtaking views, birds, seals, red squirrels, gorse, more wild things, and a geology class. On this walk, you can spot Hutton’s Non-conformity. The walk starts near the golf course, then goes around the coast, then climbs back uphill and descends back to Lochranza. There are gorgeous views of the Sound of Bute and Kintyre all along the way. Starting point: Lochranza, bus 324.
Glenashdale Falls Walk
Walk through a wooded glen to gaze upon one of the island’s most beautiful waterfalls, a double cascade called Glenashdale Falls. The starting point is on the bus 323 route.
Glen Rosa Walk
The circular walk through Glen Rosa offers excellent views of the craggy peaks of the Goatfell range. The trail goes along Glenrosa waters and past the Blue Pool, a popular wild swimming spot, and continues up the valley from where you can gaze upon the lofty Cir Mhor, framed by the steep sides of Beinn a’ Chliabhain to the left and Goatfell to the right. The starting point can be reached by bus 324 or 322.
Glen Sannox Walk
Our favourite walk in Lochranza is the Glen Sannox Walk. It is a short and easy walk along the Sannox Burn but the views are absolutely mesmerising! The skies were just beginning to darken when we started the walk late one afternoon. At the viewpoint, we sat down and opened a miniature bottle of Arran 35 that we had bought that morning from Arran distillery and made a toast to nature and drank. The peaks were cloaked in swirling mist, the wind was clean and cold, and the first droplets of rain had just begun to fall. There was not a single soul in sight; just the sound of the wind, the Sannox Burn gurgling gently by, and birdsong. It was perfect. Starting point is on the bus 324 route.
Arran Coastal Walk
If you are up for it, one of the best things to do on Arran is walking around Arran along the coast! We will do it someday and write about it but for now, read Dawn-Marie’s superb posts.
Also read: Looking for more coastal walks? Read about our walks in Northumberland for inspiration: Craster to Alnmouth Walk and Dunstanburgh Castle Walk.
Climb Goatfell
Climbing Goatfell ranks high on the list of things to do on Arran. At 874 m (2876 ft), Goatfell is a beloved peak for climbers. You can either take the route from Brodick Castle or Corrie. The climb to the summit is strenuous but you are rewarded by breathtaking views of the island and the surrounding sea. On a clear day, you can even see as far as Ireland! Occasionally, walkers spot buzzards and golden eagles soaring high in the sky. We did not climb Goatfell but we met a fellow camper who said that they didn’t realize it would be that tough but pressed on inspired by the many elderly but unbelievably fit folks summiting it!
Bird-Watch
If you are into birding, visit Arran! There’s an abundance of birds on Arran like we have never seen before. We didn’t see the famed golden eagle but we spotted curlews, pheasants, oystercatchers, sparrows, a whole host of finches and tits, thrushes, blackbirds, and robins. Flying ducks and elegant herons. Birds we don’t know the names of. Birds that mesmerised us. On this island, there is birdsong everywhere. It was a symphony like we have never known.
Visit the Arran Heritage Museum
One of the best things to do on Arran is visit the Arran Heritage Museum to learn about the history of Arran. Artefacts include an early Bronze Age grave, the sculpted head of the Clachaig Man, a replica of a Viking ship, and more. Tickets are £5 (adults, 2023).
Taste Arran Whisky
There are two distilleries on Arran and both offer whisky tastings and distillery tours. One is the Arran Distillery in Lochranza (bus 324) and the other one is a newer distillery at Lagg (bus 323).
See the Stone Circles at Machrie Moor
Machrie Moor is described as a “particularly well-preserved landscape of Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments”. Standing next to the Stone Circles at Machrie Moor was atmospheric. Not a lot is known about why these stones were erected in the middle of a wind-swept moor on an island or why they were abandoned but it is thought that they were associated with religious and ceremonial activities. You can read more about the history of the Macrie Moor stones on Historic Scotland. Bus 324 will drop you at the car park. It’s a 2 km walk from here.
Did you know that the stone circle known as ‘Fingal’s Cauldron Seat’ is named after Fingal – a mythic hero probably derived from the Irish Fionn Mac Cumhail? One of the stones in the outer ring has a hole in it. It is said that Fingal tethered his dog Bran there while he ate a meal in the inner ring.
Explore Arran’s Geoparks
Arran has six geoparks. On Kildonan Shore, you can see the best examples of a dyke swarm in the world! There is also a “dinosaur” footprint here that is said to have been left by a giant reptile related to crocodiles that lived during the same time as the dinosaurs. On the Fairy Dell Walk in Lochranza, you can see Hutton’s Unconformity that changed established perceptions around the age of the earth. King’s Cave on Drumadoon is another popular attraction. According to local legends, Robert the Bruce sheltered in this cave before the Battle of Bannockburn – or saw the famous spider.
Visit Holy Isle
Located off Arran’s east coast, Holy Isle is a centre of spirituality. Its history stretches back to the 6th century when St. Moloise arrived from Ireland; today it is a “centre for world peace and health” run by Lama Yeshe Rinpoche. The centre offers various courses and retreats year-round but in the summer, you can visit the island as a day visitor. There are beautiful walks on the island and you can Eriksay ponies, Saanen goats, and Soay sheep. Crossings are operated by Lamlash Cruises.
Go Castle-Hopping
You can never be too far from a castle in Scotland and Arran has its own share of castles: Brodick Castle, Lochranza Castle, and Kildonan Castle but as our luck with castles goes, they were all closed when we visited.
Brodick Castle and Country Park
Brodick Castle was closed for repairs when we visited but we absolutely recommend exploring the country park and particularly walking the Plant Hunters’ Trail to see some of the species that the so-called plant hunters collected from countries that were colonized by Britain. Tickets are £15 (adult, 2023) or free for National Trust members.
Where to Eat On Arran
One of the best things to do on Arran is eat: fresh seafood, locally foraged vegetables, island gourmet. This was a budget trip and we barely ate out. Instead, we used the microwave at our fantastic campsite to rustle up some quick meals. Arran has some fantastic restaurants and here are our recommendations:
The Sandwich Station, Lochranza
The most fabulous folks make the most fabulous sandwiches and we cannot recommend this place enough! They source their bread from Blackwaterfoot Bakery, cure their own meat, make their own kimchi and mustard and other condiments, and use local produce. If it is your lucky day, you can get the delicious hot smoked kippers that they source from Skipness Smokehouse! The menu changes daily to reflect what is available and vegan options are available.
The Sandwich Station was recommended to us by this wonderful lady who migrated to Arran from Edinburgh many moons ago. We met at a bus stop and chatted about Arran and island life, about our immigrant lives while waiting for the bus. And that’s another thing about Arran: friendly locals. We chatted with people at bus stops and shops, at ticket offices and campsite receptions, on walks, in pubs…a lovely bunch, the folks on Arran.
The Shack Seafood Trailer
We went all the way to Blackwaterfoot mainly to chomp on their soft-shelled crab tempura and I cannot forget how absolutely perfect it was. If you like seafood, track this food truck on their Instagram and show up and dig in. The menu changes daily.
Corrie Hotel
The couple at the table next to us was enjoying the Sunday Roast on Easter and it looked freaking fantastic. Those golden Yorkshire puddings looked delicious! Sadly, we were on a budget so had to make do with haggis bonbons (delightful) and some fabulous fries (with real flaky sea salt) and some local ales.
Blackwaterfoot Bakery
The apricot tart we had was memorable! Don’t miss this place and its assortment of cakes and bakes.
Mara Fish Bar and Deli, Corrie
We were unable to visit this but I haven’t heard a bad thing about this place. Fresh seafood, from the sea. It is as local as it gets.
Drift Inn, Lamlash
We did not visit but have read superb reviews of their locally sourced seafood and produce.
Machrie Bay Tea Room
Shout-out to this place that was serving a grand Sunday roast buffet for Easter in a heritage building with wood panelling, high ceilings, and large windows. It was like stepping back in time! We were just in for tea and cake– they also make sandwiches and pies– and we highly recommend their homemade cakes. We had the coffee cake and it reminded me of the cakes at Nahoum’s, a Jewish Bakery in Calcutta that is an institution loved by locals.
Also read: Not planning a trip anytime soon? Use our guide for some wonderful ideas to rediscover your hometown.
Where to Stay On Arran
There is a wide variety of places to stay on Arran.
Lochranza Campsite // We stayed in a pod (£35 for 2 adults, April 2023) at the Lochranza campsite and highly recommend it. It is one of our favourite campsites in the UK. It’s a medium-sized campsite with a toilet and shower block. Other facilities include a dishwashing area and disposal facilities for campervans. But best of all, there’s a lounge with a microwave which is a boon for us backpackers because we could just heat pre-packaged food instead of having to carry a stove and all other cooking paraphernalia. And if a microwave isn’t enough to sway you, there is a distillery right across the road from the campsite!
Lochranza Hostel // Run by Hostelling, this hostel is a beloved backpackers’ haunt. It is located across from the Lochranza golf course and is ideal for deer spotting.
BnBs and Guest Houses // Arran has an extensive collection of BnBs and guest houses, particularly in Lamlash, Brodick, and Whiting Bay.
What are your favourite things to do on Arran?
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