Isle of Arran

Arran is a 20-mile long island in the middle of the Firth of Clyde, popular with tourists who enjoy its fine beaches, walking, cycling, climbing, golf and geology.  The ferry from Ardrossan goes to Brodick on the west coast about the middle of the island, the main town and popular resort.  Arran is mountainous in the northern half and has a more gentle landscape in the southern part, the area where most of the population (and tourists) live. 

The main attractions in the Brodick area are the Arran Heritage Museum and the Arran Visitor Centre (at Home Farm) where you can watch the Arran cheeses being made and try soap-making.  Brodick Castle is the 19th century former seat of the Dukes of Hamilton situated 2.5 miles north of the town and its country park includes a walled garden, a nature centre and varied walks. 

The main attraction near Lamlash, four miles south of Brodick, is Holy Island where Buddhist monks have established the Samye Ling Tibetan Centre and retreat - day visitors are also welcomed.  The King's cave at Blackwaterfoot is one of many caves where Robert the Bruce was said to have encountered his famous spider and there are several Bronze Age sites and stone circles near the town.  There are ruins of a 13th century castle at Lochranza in the north of the island.

Activities on Arran
Keen walkers climb the 874-metre Goatfell which takes about 8 hours return trip from Brodick.  One of the alternative routes to Goatfell starts at the picturesque village of Corrie, 6 miles north of Brodick - look out for the seals as you travel along Brodick Bay.  Both Corrie and Whiting Bay (4 miles south of Lamlash) are good bases from which you can take a variety of walks - for example, to the Glenashdale Falls near Whiting Bay.  There are many cycle routes and energetic cyclists take the circular route round the island.  Bikes can be rented from many towns/villages on the island.  Of the seven golf courses on Arran, three are 18-hole and one is a 12-hole course.   There are many sandy beaches all round the island.  Brodick hosts a four-day annual folk festival in early June.

Information 
The tourist office in Brodick is beside the pier and has details about the wide range of hotels on the island.  There are also many places to eat in Brodick, including the expensive 17th century Kilmichael Country House Hotel, Creelers Seafood Restaurant, Brodick Bar & Brasserie, the Wineport and the McLaren Hotel.  Eating places outside Brodick include: the Ormidale Hotel in Glen Coy; Isle of Arran Distillers Restaurant in Lochranza; Catacol Bay Hotel in Catacol near Lochranza; the Breadalbane Hotel in Kildonan; the Pantry in Whiting Bay; and the Glenisle Hotel and Drift Inn in Lamlash.  Regular buses travel round the island.