Things to do in Isle Of Arran
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Walking and Cycling around Arran
Drop into the tourist office near Brodick pier for plenty of walking and cycling suggestions around the island. The handy Selection of Arran Walks (around £3) is a selection of leaflets covering Arran's best-known walks. There are also plenty of maps available.
The walk up and down Goatfell takes up to eight hours return, starting in Brodick and finishing in the grounds of Brodick Castle. If the weather's fine, there are superb views to Ben Lomond and the coast of Northern Ireland. It can, however, be very cold and windy up there; take the appropriate maps (available at the tourist office near Brodick pier), waterproof gear and a compass.
Moderate walks include the trail …
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Holy Island Centre for World Peace & Health
Just off the coast is Holy Island, owned by the Samye Ling Tibetan Centre and used as a retreat, but day visits are allowed. The ferry makes eight trips a day (£10, 15 minutes) from Lamlash and runs between May and September. No dogs, alcohol or fires are allowed on the island. There’s a good walk to the top of the hill (314m), taking two or three hours return. It is possible to stay on the island in accommodation belonging to the grandiose-named Holy Island Centre for World Peace & Health. Although designed more for groups doing yoga and meditation courses at the centre, individuals are welcome. There’s also a dining room and library for guests.
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Brodick Castle & Park
The first impression of this estate 2.5 miles north of Brodick is that of an animal morgue – you enter via the hunting gallery, which is wallpapered with prized deer heads. On your way to the formal dining room (with its peculiar table furnishings), note the intricacy of the fireplace in the library. The castle has more of a lived-in feel than some NTS properties. Only a small portion is open to visitors. The extensive grounds, now a country park with various trails among the rhododendrons, justify the steep entry fee.
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Seal Watching
Most visitors arrive in Brodick, the heartbeat of the Isle of Arran, and congregate along the coastal road to admire the town's long curving bay. As you follow the coast along Brodick Bay, look out for seals , often seen on the rocks around Merkland Point. Two types live in these waters, the Atlantic grey seal and the common seal. They're actually quite easy to tell apart - the common seal has a face like a dog; the Atlantic grey seal has a Roman nose.
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Corrie
Most visitors arrive in Brodick, the heartbeat of the Isle of Arran, and congregate along the coastal road to admire the town's long curving bay. The coast road continues north to the small, pretty village of Corrie , where there's a shop and hotel, and one of the tracks up Goatfell (the island's tallest peak) starts here. Corrie Village Shop sells wonderful sculptures by local artist Marvin Elliot.
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Lochranza Castle
The village of Lochranza is in a stunning location in a small bay at the north of the island. On a promontory stand the ruins of the 13th-century Lochranza Castle, said to be the inspiration for the castle in The Black Island, Hergé’s Tintin adventure. It’s basically a draughty shell inside, with interpretative signs to help you decipher the layout.
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Machrie Moor Stone Circle
On the western side of the Isle of Arran, reached by String Rd across the centre (or the coast road), is the Machrie Moor Stone Circle , upright sandstone slabs erected around 6000 years ago. It's an eerie place, and these are the most impressive of the six stone circles on the island. There's another group at nearby Auchagallon, surrounding a Bronze Age burial cairn.
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Lighthouse Tearoom & Bunkhouse
Calling itself a tearoom is being coy! The restaurant here has an extensive menu, great desserts and outdoor seating, all in a very, very blue lighthouse theme. It’s getting quite a name for its excellent dishes (such as baked whole seabass stuffed with lime and coriander) using seasonal produce. Book in advance for dinner.
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Catacol Bay Hotel
Catacol Bay Hotel Two miles from Lochranza, this bar does great food. The Sunday buffet for £10 (over 60s – £7) is famous, and the cheery service makes you feel like a local. With its snug bar, sunny beer garden, frequent live music and great beers on tap, it’s the best pub on the island.
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King's Cave
Blackwaterfoot is the largest village on the west coast. You can walk to King's Cave from here, via Drumadoon Farm - Arran is one of several islands that lay claim to a cave where Robert the Bruce had his famous arachnid encounter. This walk could be combined with a visit to the Machrie stones.
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Arran Adventure Company
Offers loads of activities, running a different one each day (such as gorge walking, sea kayaking, climbing, abseiling and mountain biking). All activities run for about three hours and cost around £48/38/28 for adults/solo teens/kids. Drop in to see what's available while you're around.
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Drift Inn
There are few better places to be on the island on a sunny day than the beer garden at this child-friendly hotel, ploughing your way through an excellent bar meal while gazing over to Holy Island. There are pub faves and genuine Angus beef burgers, with generous portions all round.
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Isle of Arran Brewery
At the Cladach centre there's an excellent self-guided brewery tour for £2.50, which includes tastings in the shop. Arran beers are pure quality. Warning: Arran Dark is highly addictive. There's a good outdoors shop here too, if you're heading up Goatfell.
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Creelers
Creelers is likely to close in the near future, but if it's still going when you read this, get on the phone and book a table. Situated 1.5 miles north of Brodick, it's Arran's top choice for fresh seafood. It's not licensed, so bring a bottle.
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Breadalbane Hotel
Good home-cooked food is served here, and you can dine by the fire on blustery nights or on the decking overlooking the water if the sun is shining. If you want to drown out the sound of your chomping, give the jukebox a whirl.
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Isle of Arran Distillery
The Isle of Arran Distillery produces a light, aromatic single malt. The tour is a good one; it’s a small distillery, and the whisky-making process is thoroughly explained. Opening hours are reduced in winter.
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Ormidale Hotel
This hotel has decent bar food. Dishes change regularly, but there are always some good vegetarian options, and daily specials. Quantities and value-for-money are high, and Arran beers are on tap.
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Coast
This funky place decked out in suave red tones and with a sun-drenched conservatory on the water's edge serves grills, seafood and salads in the evening, with lighter offerings during the day.
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Brodick Bar & Brasserie
By the post office, this is a good choice for families (high chairs are available) and the older crowd, particularly if you like tucking into pizzas.
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Arran Folk Festival
The week-long Arran Folk Festival takes place in early June. There are also local village festivals from June to September.
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Glenisle Hotel
Excellent pub food; serves Scottish classics such as Cullen skink (soup made with smoked haddock, potato, onion and milk). Good wine list.
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Island Cheese Co
Anyone with a fetish for cheese should stop by this place where you can stock up on the famed local cheeses. There are free samples.
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Lamlash Bay Hotel
Locals love a big meal out here; known for its toothsome pizza and filling Italian-style dishes.
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