Laura’s Arran Guidebook
Food and Drink Scene
The Drift Inn, just a 7 minute meander down the shore road, is one of our favourite places to eat, drink and make merry. And we aren’t just blinded by the sheer convenience, the food is delicious.
The menu ranges from fresh seafood to burgers and salads. Our top picks would be a bucket of squat lobsters with a jug of melted butter, or anything that comes with fried haggis fritters.
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Drift Inn
Shore Road The Drift Inn, just a 7 minute meander down the shore road, is one of our favourite places to eat, drink and make merry. And we aren’t just blinded by the sheer convenience, the food is delicious.
The menu ranges from fresh seafood to burgers and salads. Our top picks would be a bucket of squat lobsters with a jug of melted butter, or anything that comes with fried haggis fritters.
The Old Pier Tea Room, run by Robert and Lindsay, has the best sausage rolls in Arran, Scotland and the entire world. The rest of their baking is also delicious.
Or, if you are more into ice-cream, we recommend ordering a double nougat loaded with Arran Ice Cream and dripping your way to the end of the pier.
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The Old Pier Tearoom
The Old Pier Tea Room, run by Robert and Lindsay, has the best sausage rolls in Arran, Scotland and the entire world. The rest of their baking is also delicious.
Or, if you are more into ice-cream, we recommend ordering a double nougat loaded with Arran Ice Cream and dripping your way to the end of the pier.
Felicity’s, in Whiting Bay, serves creative dishes which shine a light on local and Scottish produce. Their friendly atmosphere (and consistently good food) has established them as a favourite among island regulars. The garden overlooking the bay is a fantastic spot for a long lunch on a sunny day, best accompanied by an Arran Blonde or an Arran Gin and tonic. For large parties, try to book ahead.
Felicitys at Eden Lodge
Felicity’s, in Whiting Bay, serves creative dishes which shine a light on local and Scottish produce. Their friendly atmosphere (and consistently good food) has established them as a favourite among island regulars. The garden overlooking the bay is a fantastic spot for a long lunch on a sunny day, best accompanied by an Arran Blonde or an Arran Gin and tonic. For large parties, try to book ahead.
LOCAL ARTISAN SANDWICHES PURE AND SIMPLE
Hand made to order using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
The Sandwich Station
A841LOCAL ARTISAN SANDWICHES PURE AND SIMPLE
Hand made to order using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.
Delicious Arran gin, cassis and botanical beers which you can enjoy on the as part of a tasting experience or in cocktails by the beach! Great music!
Isle of Arran Gin Co. Ltd
Delicious Arran gin, cassis and botanical beers which you can enjoy on the as part of a tasting experience or in cocktails by the beach! Great music!
Walking
The six stone circles on Machrie Moor are thought to have been erected in the Neolithic era, in about 2000 BC. They are one of Arran’s most marvelled and studied archaeological sites.
To get to the stones is only a 30 min walk via a clearly marked path from the dedicated car park in Machrie (which is on google maps).
The archaeological landscape includes six stone circles, standing stones, burial cairns and cists as well as hut circles and a field system, all dating between 3500 and 1500 BC. The stone circles were preceded by timber circles, in the same patterns, suggesting the site was associated with religious activities going back 4500 years. Human burials and cremations were also found in the circles, but placed there long after they were first built.
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Machrie Moor Standing Stones
The six stone circles on Machrie Moor are thought to have been erected in the Neolithic era, in about 2000 BC. They are one of Arran’s most marvelled and studied archaeological sites.
To get to the stones is only a 30 min walk via a clearly marked path from the dedicated car park in Machrie (which is on google maps).
The archaeological landscape includes six stone circles, standing stones, burial cairns and cists as well as hut circles and a field system, all dating between 3500 and 1500 BC. The stone circles were preceded by timber circles, in the same patterns, suggesting the site was associated with religious activities going back 4500 years. Human burials and cremations were also found in the circles, but placed there long after they were first built.
This is probably our favourite walk on the island. The scenic footpath traces rivers and waterfalls through Glen Rosa which, as you go deeper into the glen, reveals views of Cir Mhor framed on either side by the sloping valley.
To start from the Glen Rosa car park, head over to Brodick and then take The String road as if heading over to the Western side of the island. Shortly after passing Brodick, there is a right hand turn which is signposted for Glen Rosa. You can follow the track all the way down to the start of the footpath.
Our normal route is to the “doctors pool” about 45 mins in to the walk (which is a very gentle incline). We recommend taking a plunge in the clear water for a rejuvenating mid-way break. There is also another longer walking route which will take about 3 hours in total, details of which are below.
Glen Rosa
This is probably our favourite walk on the island. The scenic footpath traces rivers and waterfalls through Glen Rosa which, as you go deeper into the glen, reveals views of Cir Mhor framed on either side by the sloping valley.
To start from the Glen Rosa car park, head over to Brodick and then take The String road as if heading over to the Western side of the island. Shortly after passing Brodick, there is a right hand turn which is signposted for Glen Rosa. You can follow the track all the way down to the start of the footpath.
Our normal route is to the “doctors pool” about 45 mins in to the walk (which is a very gentle incline). We recommend taking a plunge in the clear water for a rejuvenating mid-way break. There is also another longer walking route which will take about 3 hours in total, details of which are below.
The trip up Glenashdale Falls is short but tiring with steep steps in some parts. The reward at the top is a view over the top of Glenashdale Falls.
The walk also goes via the Giant’s Graves, a set of chambered cairns from the neolithic era (which are now covered with turf and bracken) which although robbed over time, were found to contain remains of pottery, flint knives and arrowheads as well as fragments of burnt bone. The graves are closer to the shore and can be visited without going the full slog up to falls.
We recommend combining this walk with a visit to Arran Art Gallery, or with a coffee at any one of Whiting Bay’s seafront cafes.
Glenashdale Wood
The trip up Glenashdale Falls is short but tiring with steep steps in some parts. The reward at the top is a view over the top of Glenashdale Falls.
The walk also goes via the Giant’s Graves, a set of chambered cairns from the neolithic era (which are now covered with turf and bracken) which although robbed over time, were found to contain remains of pottery, flint knives and arrowheads as well as fragments of burnt bone. The graves are closer to the shore and can be visited without going the full slog up to falls.
We recommend combining this walk with a visit to Arran Art Gallery, or with a coffee at any one of Whiting Bay’s seafront cafes.
This is another short but, in some places, tricky walk which leads to a secret beach and Corrie Lochan (a small mountain loch). The ascent takes 40 mins to an hour, depending on how many times you need to stop to recover your breath. At times, the path uphill is a bit of a scramble so sturdy shoes are a must. The Lochan is sandwiched between two white pebble beaches and its clear waters make for one of the best wild swims on Arran.
The walk starts at the tiny hamlet of Thundergay on the west coast of the island, 10 minutes north of Machrie. If getting there by car, we recommend going the slightly longer route, via Blackwaterfoot, for a scenic drive along the western coastal road which looks across the water to Kintyre.
Coire- Fhionn Lochan
This is another short but, in some places, tricky walk which leads to a secret beach and Corrie Lochan (a small mountain loch). The ascent takes 40 mins to an hour, depending on how many times you need to stop to recover your breath. At times, the path uphill is a bit of a scramble so sturdy shoes are a must. The Lochan is sandwiched between two white pebble beaches and its clear waters make for one of the best wild swims on Arran.
The walk starts at the tiny hamlet of Thundergay on the west coast of the island, 10 minutes north of Machrie. If getting there by car, we recommend going the slightly longer route, via Blackwaterfoot, for a scenic drive along the western coastal road which looks across the water to Kintyre.
A fine pyramidal peak and a magnificent viewpoint, Goatfell is the highest of the mountains on Arran and the culminating point of some dramatic granite ridges. The most popular and straightforward route of ascent is from Cladach Centre.
Distance 10.5km / 6.5 miles
Time 4.5 - 6 hours
Ascent 874m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref NS012376
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Goatfell
A fine pyramidal peak and a magnificent viewpoint, Goatfell is the highest of the mountains on Arran and the culminating point of some dramatic granite ridges. The most popular and straightforward route of ascent is from Cladach Centre.
Distance 10.5km / 6.5 miles
Time 4.5 - 6 hours
Ascent 874m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref NS012376
When it is raining!
When the skies open, you could take refuge in the restored baronial home of Brodick Castle. Its grand rooms are adorned with period furniture, silverware, paintings and sporting trophies. And a lot of stag heads. There is also a victorian arcade for kids.
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Schloss Brodick, Garten und Landschaftspark
When the skies open, you could take refuge in the restored baronial home of Brodick Castle. Its grand rooms are adorned with period furniture, silverware, paintings and sporting trophies. And a lot of stag heads. There is also a victorian arcade for kids.
It is difficult to summarise everything the Auchrannie Resort has to offer. The spa resort has a 20m pool as well as steam rooms and saunas, all of which are open to non-residents. Additional facilities include indoor tennis and badminton courts.
The ASPA is a luxury destination spa which offers a range of facial and body treatments.
Finally, they have a playbarn and games room for kids, which include a soft play area, air hockey and pool tables, and arcade games.
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Auchrannie Resort
Auchrannie RoadIt is difficult to summarise everything the Auchrannie Resort has to offer. The spa resort has a 20m pool as well as steam rooms and saunas, all of which are open to non-residents. Additional facilities include indoor tennis and badminton courts.
The ASPA is a luxury destination spa which offers a range of facial and body treatments.
Finally, they have a playbarn and games room for kids, which include a soft play area, air hockey and pool tables, and arcade games.
The Arran Art Gallery, in Whiting Bay, exhibits local talent as well as some of Scotland’s well-known artists.
It is worth popping in to have a nosy and a chat with a gallery assistant.
Arran Art Gallery
Shore RoadThe Arran Art Gallery, in Whiting Bay, exhibits local talent as well as some of Scotland’s well-known artists.
It is worth popping in to have a nosy and a chat with a gallery assistant.
Beaches
If Silver Sands is looking a bit crowded (although unlikely), Kilmory beach is a local secret not far down the road. It is tucked out of sight down a farm track at Torrlinn, a small village on the south west coast.
Kilmory
If Silver Sands is looking a bit crowded (although unlikely), Kilmory beach is a local secret not far down the road. It is tucked out of sight down a farm track at Torrlinn, a small village on the south west coast.
Blackwaterfoot beach is a long strip of sand, perfect for a blustery walk or building castles in the sand. Located on the western side of the island, this is also a great spot for watching the sun set.
You can park in the centre of the village of Blackwaterfoot or adjacent to the Shiskine Golf and Tennis club.
We recommend visiting Blackwater Bakehouse in the village (behind the Kinloch Hotel) for some post-walk pastries.
Blackwaterfoot Beach Car Park
Blackwaterfoot beach is a long strip of sand, perfect for a blustery walk or building castles in the sand. Located on the western side of the island, this is also a great spot for watching the sun set.
You can park in the centre of the village of Blackwaterfoot or adjacent to the Shiskine Golf and Tennis club.
We recommend visiting Blackwater Bakehouse in the village (behind the Kinloch Hotel) for some post-walk pastries.
Widely held to be the most stunning of Arran’s beaches, Silver Sands on the south side of the island speaks of the west coast of Portugal, only without the crowds. From the white sandy shore, you can see the uninhabited island Pladda and in the far distance, the distinctive volcanic island Ailsa Craig.
There are wooden steps which will take you down to the beach with a small children’s play park on the way down.
Enjoy a fresh ground coffee or lunch at the Kildonan Hotel. You can walk in form the beach onto the terrace.
Silver Sands
Widely held to be the most stunning of Arran’s beaches, Silver Sands on the south side of the island speaks of the west coast of Portugal, only without the crowds. From the white sandy shore, you can see the uninhabited island Pladda and in the far distance, the distinctive volcanic island Ailsa Craig.
There are wooden steps which will take you down to the beach with a small children’s play park on the way down.
Enjoy a fresh ground coffee or lunch at the Kildonan Hotel. You can walk in form the beach onto the terrace.
Local Produce
The Bay Kitchen and Stores in Whiting Bay is a village shop and then some. The shop offers a wide range of local produce including locally grown salad and herbs courtesy of Robin’s leaves, fish from Skipness Smokehouse and venison and lamb from The Arran Butcher, both sourced from the island. There is also a selection of organic wines, artisanal breads and speciality fine foods as well as a solid supply of vegan and vegetarian packaged foods (the last discovery was a vegan “fish sauce” made of fermented seaweeds).
To make the local grocery run even more delightful (who knew) the shop offers coffee and pastries to go, or to enjoy in their cozy seating nook centered around a wood burning stove.
The Bay Kitchen and Stores
Shore RoadThe Bay Kitchen and Stores in Whiting Bay is a village shop and then some. The shop offers a wide range of local produce including locally grown salad and herbs courtesy of Robin’s leaves, fish from Skipness Smokehouse and venison and lamb from The Arran Butcher, both sourced from the island. There is also a selection of organic wines, artisanal breads and speciality fine foods as well as a solid supply of vegan and vegetarian packaged foods (the last discovery was a vegan “fish sauce” made of fermented seaweeds).
To make the local grocery run even more delightful (who knew) the shop offers coffee and pastries to go, or to enjoy in their cozy seating nook centered around a wood burning stove.
If you are a cheese fanatic, head to The Arran Cheese shop in Brodick where you will be able to sample the full range of Arran cheeses as well as locally made chutneys and oat cakes.
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Island Cheese Co Ltd
If you are a cheese fanatic, head to The Arran Cheese shop in Brodick where you will be able to sample the full range of Arran cheeses as well as locally made chutneys and oat cakes.
Until the 19th century, Arran was renowned for its Malt Whisky, made illicitly in home-made stills, known locally as "Arran Water".
Now, thankfully, whisky making on the Isle of Arran is a legal affair. Arran Distillery is an independent whisky distillery based in Lochranza, a small town on the island’s north coast. Their visitor center, opened in 1997 by HM the Queen, is open all year round for guided tours and tutored whisky tastings. It was even named Best Visitor Attraction of 2018 by the Association of Scottish Visitor Centres.
Their second distillery, in the south of the island, was finished in 2019 and makes a unique style of peated malt. Lagg Distillery has its own visitor center as well as tours and tastings.
Arran Distillery station
Until the 19th century, Arran was renowned for its Malt Whisky, made illicitly in home-made stills, known locally as "Arran Water".
Now, thankfully, whisky making on the Isle of Arran is a legal affair. Arran Distillery is an independent whisky distillery based in Lochranza, a small town on the island’s north coast. Their visitor center, opened in 1997 by HM the Queen, is open all year round for guided tours and tutored whisky tastings. It was even named Best Visitor Attraction of 2018 by the Association of Scottish Visitor Centres.
Their second distillery, in the south of the island, was finished in 2019 and makes a unique style of peated malt. Lagg Distillery has its own visitor center as well as tours and tastings.
Straight from the door
On a still day, the best way to see Lamlash bay is by kayak. If you head left from the beach, you can follow the shore down to Clauchlands point and will likely be followed by some curious seals. For those who are up for a bit of a challenge, you could try a trip over to Holy Isle (5km round trip) or even head further out to the lighthouse at the other side of Holy Isle (7km round trip). Just make sure to check the weather, especially the wind, as the sea can change suddenly.
Otter's Tail
On a still day, the best way to see Lamlash bay is by kayak. If you head left from the beach, you can follow the shore down to Clauchlands point and will likely be followed by some curious seals. For those who are up for a bit of a challenge, you could try a trip over to Holy Isle (5km round trip) or even head further out to the lighthouse at the other side of Holy Isle (7km round trip). Just make sure to check the weather, especially the wind, as the sea can change suddenly.
This cliff-top walk offers stunning views of the mainland and on the return trip, of Holy Isle. The walk starts right from the door - just head down to Clauchland’s point then follow the path around the headland. More detailed instructions and maps are on walkhighlands which is linked below.
The Dun Fhionn route takes the high road over the cliff and then back to Lamlash via Clauchland Farm. Alternatively, you could follow the low road which traces the coast, turning back when you wish and coming the same way on the return. This route is completely flat. Or, you could continue on this path all the way to Brodick and take the return loop back to Lamlash for a longer, more challenging walk.
Clauchlands Point
This cliff-top walk offers stunning views of the mainland and on the return trip, of Holy Isle. The walk starts right from the door - just head down to Clauchland’s point then follow the path around the headland. More detailed instructions and maps are on walkhighlands which is linked below.
The Dun Fhionn route takes the high road over the cliff and then back to Lamlash via Clauchland Farm. Alternatively, you could follow the low road which traces the coast, turning back when you wish and coming the same way on the return. This route is completely flat. Or, you could continue on this path all the way to Brodick and take the return loop back to Lamlash for a longer, more challenging walk.