Arran: Scotland in a Miniature
Arran lives up to its stunning reputation as Scotland in miniature, with rolling hills toward the South and dramatic peaks to the North. It's every hill walkers dream! The island is easily visited for a day if you are staying in Ardrossan
Places to eat
Lighthouse in Pirnmill
Stags Pavillion in Lochranza – always try and book before you go as its normally fully booked all year round.
Fiddlers Music Bar & Bistro in Brodick
Janies Cafe near Brodick situated in the same small business complex as the beautiful Arran Aromatics and The Arran Cheese Shop.
Things to do
Not such an avid walker? Check out all these other things Arran has to offer!
Throughout the week, there is a variety of live music at Fiddlers Bar in Brodick (check their website for updated schedules). This includes acts from the mainland and from the Island itself.
The Auchrannie Hotel and Spa Resort provide excellent leisure facilities for those wishing to relax. Please contact them to find out more.
At Lochranza the Arran Distillery provides tours and a lovely cafe with friendly welcoming staff. It's surrounded by dramatic hills teaming with wildlife (Red Deer and the elusive Golden Eagles – still to be witnessed as they never appear when I'm there). they have the lovely Lochranza Castle to view also.
A visit to the Arran Aromatics shop and Arran Cheese shop are a must also. Also, drop in to see Arran Brewery and Brodick Castle.
The great outdoors
Now onto the walks! Arran has an abundance of walks – most are dog-friendly (some of the walks require your faithful pal to be on lead). There are walks to suit a gentle ramble or a strenuous hike (and a host of others in between) – please check out https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/arran/ for more details. Adding a grey, wet day to these walks just makes the scenery all the more dramatic, do not let the weather 'dampen' your enthusiasm for Arrans great outdoors. Below are some brief descriptions of recently tramped paths.
Glenashdale Falls and Giants Graves
Starting off at Whiting Bay and walking up a rocky path alongside a burn, meandering through the autumnal trees. A lovely peaceful walk climbing steadily upwards toward Glenashdale Falls. The dramatic overhanging platform adds something special to the experience. The falls are truly spectacular and quite mesmerising. Continuing past the falls to walk upwards and following signs for Giants Graves provides outstanding views of the Whiting Bay. Continuing on the loop leads back down to the start point. Click here for more information.
Kings Caves
Either starting from the small car park at Blackwater foot (either the Council car park at Kinloch Hotel) or the Foresty Car park around 3km out of Blackwaterfoot
We started from the hotel and walked with the shore to our left observing the stunning views out to sea. We followed the paths through the beautifully maintained golf course and looked for signs to Kings Caves. We walked up through livestock fields and arrived at a breathtaking coastline, followed the footpath down and carried on down the beach. The caves themselves are magnificent. There are numerous openings in the rock face, some with pre-Christian and Christian carvings in there. One Cave contains many delightful cairns which have been delicately created by other visitors. This walk can be made into a loop and more details can be found here.
Machrie Moor Stones
There is a small car park located on the A841 in which the moor can be accessed. The path leads through fields of livestock with many notable sites of historical significance (a burial chamber and a solitary standing stone amongst others). The group of standing stones themselves are impressive with Glen Rosa and Goatsfell in the distance adding to the mystical atmosphere. More information on the walk can be found here.