Isle of Arran Tourist Attractions
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The delightful island of Arran lies 12mi/19.2km off the Ayrshire coast and measures 20mi/32km in length, 11mi/17.6km in width. Covering an area of 101sq.mi/264sq.km, it is the biggest and at the same time most varied of all the islands in the Clyde.
Arran - Ferries
Several car ferries a day cross to Brodick from Ardrossan. In summer there are also ferries between Claonaig (Kintyre) and Lochranza.
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Glen Rosa
A detour along the pretty valley of Glen Rosa is well worth the effort.
Holy Island
The tiny island of Holy Island (1mi/1.6km in length) lies 5mi/8km to the south of Brodick off Lamlash Bay. The changing landscape, dominated by a hill (1,030ft/314m), is ideal for bird life and the island has become a popular spot for ornithologists. According to legend St Molaise, a pupil of St Columba, lived here and the walls and roofs of the caves in the west of the island are covered with runic symbols and inscriptions that date from different periods. A 7ft/2m sandstone block marked all around with man-made indentations is revered as the saint's seat of judgment.
Lamlash, Scotland
Lamlash (pop. 620) is the second-largest village on the east coast. It is a popular resort with a sailing school, yachting club, fishing center and an attractive sandy beach.
Whiting Bay
At the southern end of Lamlash Bay lies the village of Kingscross and beyond here is Whiting Bay and a golf course. Just a little further south the road passes two waterfalls near Glen Ashdale.
Kildonan Castle
Kildonan Castle was once a royal hunting lodge when Arran belonged to the royal family. Scottish kings often came here to hunt the imported red deer. The dilapidated castle stands in an exposed but picturesque spot with a view over the sea.
Bennan Head
Bennan Head marks the southern tip of the island and the Struey Rocks are well worth a closer look. The 82ft/25m deep "Black Cave" extends almost 150ft/46m under the cliff.
Lagg
Carry on through Lagg, a peaceful resort with the pre-historic Kilmory Cairns, and on to Sliddery where the remains of a watchtower on Castle Hill overlook the western Firth of Clyde. The pretty valley of Glen Scorrodale leads back across the island to Lamlash.
Blackwaterfoot
Blackwaterfoot with its twelve-hole golf course, riding center and good watersport facilities is situated on the south-west coast looking out to Kilbrannan Sound.
King's Hill & Cave
King's Hill lies to the north of Drumadoon Bay. The caves in the vicinity were used as hideaways by Robert the Bruce and his men at the beginning of the 14th century. The biggest of the caves is called King's Cave after Scotland's national hero.
Machrie Moor Standing Stones
To reach the six Bronze Age stones (granite, old red sandstone) known as the Machrie Moor Standing Stones turn inland about 3mi/4.8km further north near Tormore, taking Moss Farm Road by Machrie Water. The stones are thought to date from ca. 1600 B.C.
Auchagallon Stone Circle
About 2.5mi/4km further north from Machrie Moor stands another prehistoric site. The Auchagallon Stone Circle by Machrie Bay now consists of about fifteen red sandstone blocks.
Lochranza, Scotland
The ferry port of Lochranza lies beyond Auchencar and Catacol. A golf course and the 400-year-old ruins of Lochranza Castle, once a hunting lodge for Scottish kings overlook the pretty bay. Cock of Arran, another 2mi/3.2km past Lochranza, is the northernmost tip of the island.
Glen Sannox Corrie
Leave the northern coast and follow Glen Chalmadale through to Sannox Bay on the east coast. Glen Sannox leads inland from here to become one of Arran's wildest glens. The dramatic landscape that can be viewed from Fallen Rocks along the north coast emerged during the last Ice Age. Return to Brodick (6mi/9.6km) via Corrie with its golf course and trekking center.
