Isle of Arran in Scotland

Late September weather can still be ok, it won't be that cold yet but it's pretty much always at least somewhat rainy. The Isle of Arran is beautiful and it's very easy to get to from Glasgow (the ferry is only one hour from Ardrossan which is close to Glasgow). It's often referred to as "Scotland in minature" because it has both highlands and lowlands. In terms of things to do, there's Brodick Castle, which has lovely grounds, some nice local shops, great seafood, and if you like outdoors activities, there's Goatfell (the highest peak on the island) and the coast path. There are also some ancient standing stones and a couple of whisky distilleries. It will be less crowded than Skye. If you still want to visit Skye, which is also beautiful, you don't need to drive there- you can get a bus from Glasgow, or you can get the train to Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland and then just make your away across the bridge from there. Good luck with your planning!

or you can get the train to Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland and then just make your away across the bridge from there

I'm not an expert on Skye, but IMO it is not easy to see the island without a car or an organized tour.

Are you trying to avoid renting a car? If so, there are other parts of Scotland to enjoy by public transportation.

I agree with Jeanm. I would not go to Skye without a car. I know there are some people that have done it and it is possible, but it's much more difficult on Skye. Arran is a good alternative, though, because they have an excellent bus system, and it makes it much easier to use public transportation there. Below is a section from my trip report that talks about my stay on the Isle of Arran in May of 2023. Here is a link to the island website, and that has lots of info there: https://www.visitarran.com/

I really liked Arran (I was there for 3 days). It’s small, but there is plenty to see and some beautiful spots. I stayed at the Lagg Hotel, which was built in the late 1700’s and is near the south coast. The hotel itself serves both breakfast and dinner (breakfast is included). The dinners were not fancy, but were very good. The owner prides himself on his "American" burger, and it was good. They also have a bar. Kilmory beach is a short walk from the hotel, and on the way, you can stop and see the 5,000 year old Torrylin burial cairn. Keep in mind that I had a car there, but you can get down there to Lagg by bus. In fact, I met a woman and her daughter who were there using the bus system as they were doing the coastal walk around the island and took the bus to a variety of locations there.

Brodick was a nice little town, with decent restaurants and fun shops, and that would be a good place to base yourself if you do not have a car, as the bus goes through there a lot. That's the largest town on the island. I liked Arran Aromatics and The Arran Cheese Shop. I also enjoyed my time at Brodick Castle and Gardens. The gardens were lovely and there were quite a few walks available on the grounds. When I left to head back, I saw my first hairy coos. I can see why everyone goes crazy over them, as they are adorable and so docile.

The drive from Lagg up to Lochranza, which is where the CalMac ferry terminal is for Mull, was absolutely beautiful. After you get through Brodick, it’s mostly along the coast, and it was so pretty. Lochranza itself is a very cute little town and I could easily see staying here on a future trip. The castle ruins were interesting, and there is a wonderful place called The Sandwich Shop that’s right across from the ferry terminal. The sandwiches were good, and the bread was to die for.

There is also the Lochranza Castle ruins. It sits right on the water and is interesting. You can’t go inside but you can see inside. The ferry terminal has a toilet that is usually open, but just in case, there are also toilets across the street and up a bit from the terminal. It’s just an outdoor building with toilets inside, but they were very clean.

During September the ferry is running from Troon, as opposed to Ardrossan- https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/scotland/ardrossan-harbour-closure-7-september-to-8-october-2026

There is a railway station at Troon, and a shuttle bus runs from there to Troon Harbour, as well as the one which should run from Ardrossan.

Hi Nancy -

I’ve been going to Arran for quite some time, the most recent visit, last month - we are fortunate that our friends have a house at Kildonan on the bottom right hand corner of the island.

Arran is often referred to as ‘Scotland in miniature’ and there’s a deal of truth in that. The north end of the island is mountainous, which is where Goat Fell, the island's highest peak, is. Also at the northern end of the island is Lochranza with its ruined castle and the original whisky distillery. In the centre of the island on the east coast is Brodick which is the island’s ‘capital’ and where the main ferry landing is. There’s also an interesting castle at little way out of Brodick, not ruined and available to inspect on the inside. Pleasant gardens to wander in too if I recall correctly. Heading south from Brodick you pass through Lamlash and Whiting Bay before reaching Kildonan. At Kildonan there’s The Boathouse Airbnb (it’s not our friends house, but I mention it as somewhere maybe to stay in that part of the island - look it up!) Beyond Kildonan the road heads to Blackwaterfoot on the west coast and a little north of here are the famous standing stones and Neolithic settlement remains on Machrie Moor (an easy flat walk of a mile or so from the road), and between Kildonan and Blackwaterfoot is the spanking new Lagg whisky distillery, which is well worth a visit. Good cafe/restaurant there too. (I believe Mardee, a regular forum contributor, stayed at the Lagg Hotel, which is, frankly, in the middle of nowhere much! EDIT: I was right!).

There’s a ton of stuff to do, whether it be roaming the northern peaks (strenuous at the very least) or pottering about at low water looking for McCready’s Bath at Corrie (there’s a fulgurite nearby but it’s hard to find) or doing the same at Kildonan looking for the dinosaur’s footprint (you’re unlikely to be alone).

Most recently we visited Glenashdale falls from Lamlash before moving on to the Giants Graves - Neolithic Chambered Cairns (burial mounds with internal chambers) - which is more strenuous than wandering the beaches but not as stiff a proposition as heading into the hills.

Things to book as early as humanly possible are the boat trip to Holy Island from Lamlash if you decide you want to do that and the main ferry crossing to Arran, currently more likely to be from Troon (Troon and Ardrossan are about fifteen minutes apart by road) than Ardrossan, especially if you are taking a vehicle over. Get onto the Caledonian MacBrayne website and book this as soon as you’ve committed to going. The only other ferry I know of is a tiny one which lands at Lochanzra from the mainland, but it’s a heck of a drive to get to the mainland departure point at Claonaig/Tarbet on Loch Fyne. This ferry is also operated by CalMac and can (and probably should) also be booked in advance.

Arran is wonderful, something of a hidden gem, and I’m sure you’d find more than enough there to occupy you for several days at a bare minimum. Feel free to ask me any questions you think I might be able to answer - if I can’t I’ll probably know somebody who can!

Ian