About the Isle Of Arran

Explore the stunning Isle of Arran and take advantage of a wide range of activities. From hiking along the picturesque trails to enjoying water sports, golfing, and bird watching, there's something for everyone. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, the Isle of Arran offers an unforgettable experience for all visitors.

Villages

The Isle of Arran, often referred to as "Scotland in miniature," is home to several picturesque villages, each offering unique attractions and activities. Here are a few highlights from some of the main villages:

Whiting Bay

Known for its long sandy beach and tranquil atmosphere. It is ideal for those looking to unwind by the sea.

Enjoy the sand and rockpools along Whiting Bay’s beautiful beach
Visit the Glenashdale Falls and Giants’ Graves
Walk to the Iron Age fort at Kings Cross point
Learn to dive with Dive Arran
Try windsurfing or paddleboarding in the bay

Clyde house is in the centre of Whiting Bay - close to shops, resturants, pubs and the beach. For more information about the village, click here.

Brodick

The largest village on the Isle of Arran and arrival point for the main ferry. There are stunning views across the bay to Brodick Castle and the island’s highest mountain, Goat Fell. The village has a sandy beach, a good selection of shops, and places to eat and drink. Unusual things to look out for include a life sized T-Rex near the beach at Claddach and standing stone used as a bus stop outside the primary school.

Visit Brodick Castle and gardens
Walk in Glen Rosa and up Goat Fell
Explore the Arran Heritage Museum
Enjoy a swim and a spa treatment at Auchrannie
Swim or relax on the beach

Lamlash

A charming village with a serene bay and views of Holy Isle. It is a great spot for relaxation and water activities. The bay is a marine conservation area and no take zone – you can learn more about this in the Coast of Arran visitor centre. Look out for the medieval carved stone outside the village church.

Take a boat trip to Holy Isle
Visit Coast of Arran to learn about their conservation work and to see the fish and creatures in their sea water tanks
Enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding in the bay
Walk round the small pier and marina
Look out for seals on the shore to the north of the village

Corrie

A very pretty seaside village on the north east coast of Arran, spread around a small harbour with a pier. It is known for its artistic heritage and scenic beauty

Visit the Sandstone Quay with its sheep styled moorings
Explore the bookshop in the village hall
Look out for the seal sculpture in the bay
Take a dip in the Doctor’s Bath – a small man made pool on the shore

Lochranza

A picturesque village with a rich history and stunning landscapes. It is famous for its castle and distillery.

Tour the Lochranza Castle
Visit the Isle of Arran Distillery for a whisky tasting
Hike the surrounding hills for panoramic views
Spot wildlife, including red deer which can often be seen in the village centre
Visit Hutton’s Unconformity on the north shore

Kilmory & Lagg

A small village on the south coast, known for its natural environment and historical sites. Lagg is to the south of the main village in a beautiful deep valley. The Lagg Hotel is a picturesque 18th century coaching inn with a a beautiful garden. There is a beautiful and very quiet sandy beach a short walk from the village through natural woodland and past a chambered carin. A little further down the road, you can visit the new Lagg Distillery for a tasting or tour.

Relax or swim on the long and sandy Kilmory beach
Visit the ancient Neolithic chambered cairns.
Enjoy a drink or meal in the garden of the Lagg Hotel
Take a tour of the Lagg Distillery

Kildonan

A small village on the south east coast of Arran and is named after St Donan. It is known for its beautiful beach, views of the Isle of Pladda and Ailsa Craig and the ruins of the old castle. There is a large seal colony to the south of Kildonan and otters can sometimes be seen by the shore at dusk. A prehistoric reptile’s footorint can be seen on the shore in the village.

Visit the Silversands beach
Look for the fossilised footprint of the ‘Hand Beast’
Watch the seals to the south of the village

Arran Holiday Cottage FAQs

Planning a holiday on the Isle of Arran? The guide below answers the most common questions guests ask when choosing a self-catering cottage on Arran - from the best areas to stay, to what to expect during different seasons, travel tipe, and what makes Arran such a special place to vitis.

Whether you're planning a romantic escape, a family break, or a peaceful retreat by the sea, these FAQs will help you choose the perfect Arran holiday cottage with confidence.

Why visit the Isle of Arran?

Arran offers something few destinations can:

Mountains in the north, rolling farmland in the south
Sandy beaches, waterfalls and ancient forests
Whisky distillaries, castles and prehistoric sites
Wildlife including red deer, red squirrels, seals, otters and golden eagles

Where is the best place to stay on the Isle of Arran?

We're obviously slightly biased on this (we have a fabulous 3 bed cottage in the centre of Whiting Bay), but honestly it's hard to go wrong with lots of great options on the island to suit all tastes from boutique or resort hotels, through a huge range of self catering cottages . The village guides about should help to give a flavour of the different areas. While it's easy to get between the villages by car or bus, we recommend thinking about how close you want to be to beaches, shops and places to eat.

Is Arran good for a self catering holiday?

Arran is perfect for self catering holidays. While food can be a littlemore expensive than on the mainland, there is excellent local produce available including locally made cheese, Robin Gray's salad leaves, wild venison, meat and pies from the Arran Butchers and amazing baked goods from the Blackwaterfoot Bakery and from Wollies bakery. The island also has two whisky distilleries, a gin distillery and two breweries. The Coops in Lamlash and Brodick provide all of the basics and more, while Bay Stores in Whiting Bay has a wide range of tempting specialist foods. Clyde House is also very well equipped for self catering with all the equipment you're likely to need.

When is the Best Time to Visit Arran?

Arran has something to offer all year round - it's worth remembering the 'shoulder seasons' which can offer mild weather and peaceful holidays with fewer other toursits around. Late spring offers mild and often surprisingly sunny weather, wildflowers and wildlife, while the autumn brings seasonal colour and excellent walking.

Late summer is the main tourist peak season with the Arran Show and Brodick Highland Games bringing plenty of visitors.

Check out our events page to see what's going on throughout the year - we update it whenever we hear about new events, so you'll find more things if you keep checking back.

What is there to do on Arran?

Our Arran Activities page provides lots of ideas for places to go and things to do - even on rainy days, there's plenty to do on Arran.

Some quick ideas include:

Outdoor Activities

Walking or cycling the Arran Coastal Way
Climbing Goat Fell, the island's highest peak
Beachcombing and wild swimming
Kayaking and paddleboarding

Culture & Heritage

Machrie Moor standing stones
Brodick Castle & Gardens
The scenic ruins of Lochranza Castle (often with red deer nearby)
Local distilleries and breweries

Family Friendly Ideas

Seal spotting in Kildonan, or by Kings Cross point
Visit fossil tracks in Kildonan
Easy woodland walks
Picnic beaches with safe swimming