Isle of Arran Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Island

Facts and practical information

The Isle of Arran, located off the southwestern coast of Scotland, is a picturesque island that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and outdoor activities. Known as "Scotland in Miniature," this charming island has something for everyone.

One of the main attractions of the Isle of Arran is its stunning landscape. With rugged mountains, rolling hills, and beautiful coastline, the island is a paradise for nature lovers. Hikers and climbers can explore the majestic peaks of Goat Fell and the Arran Hills, while those seeking a more relaxed experience can take leisurely walks along the shoreline or through the enchanting forests. The island is also home to several wildlife reserves, where visitors can spot seals, otters, and a variety of bird species.

The Isle of Arran is also steeped in history, with ancient monuments and castles that offer a glimpse into its past. Brodick Castle, a 13th-century fortress, is a must-visit attraction, with its beautiful gardens and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The Machrie Moor Stone Circles, dating back to the Neolithic period, are another fascinating historical site that visitors can explore.

For those looking for adventure, the Isle of Arran offers a wide range of outdoor activities. The island is famous for its golf courses, with stunning views and challenging fairways that attract golfers from all over the world. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy sailing, kayaking, and fishing in the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island. Cycling and mountain biking are also popular activities, with scenic routes that take you through the picturesque countryside.

Food lovers will be delighted by the local culinary scene on the Isle of Arran. From traditional Scottish dishes to fresh seafood, the island offers a variety of dining options to suit every taste. Visitors can also indulge in a tasting tour of the island's whisky distilleries, where they can sample the finest Scotch whiskies and learn about the art of whisky making.

Alternative names: Population: 5.1 thous.Area: 166.8 mi²Elevation: 725 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 55°34'43"N, 5°12'38"W

Location

ScotlandUnited Kingdom

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Isle of Arran Top Attractions

Isle of Arran Attractions - What to See and Explore

Isle of Arran offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Brodick Castle, Goat Fell, Kildonan Castle, Caisteal Abhail. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

19th-century castle with formal gardens
Brodick Castle
Brodick Castle is a castle situated outside the port of Brodick on the Isle of Arran, an island in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. It was previously a seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, but is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland.
Island's highest peak for hiking
Goat Fell
Goat Fell is the highest point on the Isle of Arran. At 874 metres, it is one of four Corbetts on the island. The mountain, along with nearby Brodick Castle, is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. The name is believed to mean 'Goat Mountain'.
Forts and castles
Kildonan Castle
Kildonan Castle stands in the small village of Kildonan on the southern coast of the Isle of Arran in Scotland. The castle's name is derived from the name of a former resident, Saint Donan, who is said to be buried on the island.

Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Caisteal Abhail
Caisteal Abhail is a mountain on the Isle of Arran in Scotland. It is the northernmost Corbett on the island. The mountain forms the main part of a view known as The Sleeping Warrior due to its distinctive outline as seen from the mainland.
Mountain
Beinn Bharrain
Beinn Bharrain is a mountain on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, located in the far northwest of the Island. Despite being less frequently visited than its eastern neighbours, it still provides fine views from the top.
Archaeological site
Giants' Graves
The Giants' Graves are the remains of two Neolithic chambered tombs on the Isle of Arran in Scotland. They are situated within 40 metres of each other, and stand on a ridge 120 metres above the sea in a clearing in a forest, overlooking Whiting Bay to the south.
Archaeological site
Torrylin Cairn
Torrylin Cairn is the remains of a Neolithic chambered tomb. It is located near Kilmory on the Isle of Arran in Scotland.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Beinn Tarsuinn
Beinn Tarsuinn is a mountain on the Isle of Arran, Scotland. It is the southernmost of the four Corbetts on the island, lying between Glen Rosa to the east and Glen Iorsa to the west.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Cìr Mhòr
Cìr Mhòr is a Corbett known as the Matterhorn of Arran. Its name means the "big comb", referring its resemblance to a cockscomb. It is separated from the island's highest peak, Goat Fell, by a col called The Saddle.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Tighvein
Tighvein is a hill above Lamlash on the Isle of Arran in western Scotland. It is a Marilyn and the highest point on the south-eastern section of the island, south-east of the pass of Monambre Glen.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Torr Meadhonach
Torr Meadhonach is a hill 332 metres high at the northernmost part of the Isle of Arran in western Scotland, east of the village of Lochranza.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Àrd Bheinn
Àrd Bheinn is a small mountain of 1678 feet on central Isle of Arran in western Scotland.
Archaeological site
Torr a'Chaisteal
Torr a'Chaisteal is an Iron Age fort, located about 1 mile northeast of the village of Sliddery, on the Isle of Arran in Scotland.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Creag Ghlas Laggan
Creag Ghlas Laggan is a hill on the Isle of Arran in south-western Scotland. It is the highest point of the seven-mile-long ridge of land that runs north-west to south-east between the A841 road and the Sound of Bute in the north-eastern part of the island.
Archaeological site
Carn Ban
Carn Ban is a Neolithic chambered tomb located on the Isle of Arran in Scotland.
Church
Bennecarrigan Free Church
The Bennecarrigan Free Church is a place of worship of the Free Church of Scotland in Kilmory, on the island of Arran, Scotland. The church was built in 1893.
Archaeological site
Kilpatrick Dun
Kilpatrick Dun is an Iron Age dun, located about 1 mile south of the village of Blackwaterfoot on the Isle of Arran in Scotland.
55°35'18"N • 5°9'29"W
Home Farm
Home Farm was the estate farm for Brodick Castle. It now houses a series of tourist enterprises including a cheese shop, Creeler's seafood restaurant and Arran Aromatics. This was the site of the curiously named Khartoum which was a kind of shanty town.

Day trips

Isle of Arran – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Isle of Arran, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Turnberry, Ayr Racecourse (Ayr), Fair Head.

23 milesSE
Golf
Turnberry
Turnberry, located on the rugged coast of the Firth of Clyde in Scotland, United Kingdom, is a name that resonates with golf enthusiasts around the globe. Known for its iconic lighthouse and stunning ocean views, Turnberry's Ailsa Course is a jewel in the crown of golf...
25 milesE
Horse track, Gambling, Sport venue
Ayr Racecourse, Ayr
Ayr Racecourse, nestled in the historic coastal town of Ayr, Scotland, is a premier destination for horse racing enthusiasts and casual tourists alike. This illustrious venue is renowned for hosting some of Scotland's most prestigious races, including the Scottish...
44 milesSW
Climbing
Fair Head
Fair Head, located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, is a mecca for rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Known for its rugged beauty, this prominent headland rises 196 meters above sea level, offering some of the most challenging and exhilarating climbs in...
23 milesSE
16th-century castle with deer park
Culzean Castle, Maybole
Culzean Castle, a majestic fortress perched atop the cliffs of Ayrshire, is a quintessential example of Scotland's rich history and architectural grandeur. Constructed in the late 18th century, the castle is a masterpiece of Robert Adam, one of the foremost architects...
21 milesE
Specialty museum, Museum
Dalgarven Mill Museum, Kilwinning
Nestled in the verdant Ayrshire countryside near Kilwinning, the Dalgarven Mill Museum offers visitors a unique glimpse into Scotland's rural and industrial heritage. This charming museum is housed within a restored 17th-century grain mill, which itself is a testament...