Frequently Asked Questions:

Clyde House Arran Holiday Cottage

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Is Arran a good place to come on holiday? Do you need a car on Arran? What if the ferry's cancelled? What are the buses like on Arran?

We've answered many of the most common questions below. 

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If you have questions about anything else, please get in touch! 

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What is Whiting Bay like?

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Whiting Bay is  a charming seaside village with a sandy beach, shops and cafes. There's lots of information about the village on our page about Whiting Bay

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Is Arran a good place for a self-catering holiday?

Absolutely! Self catering on Arran is a fantastic way to enjoy the island at your own pace. With stunning scenery, charming villages, and plenty of local produce, it’s perfect for those who love flexibility and great food. If you’re looking for Holiday Cottages in Whiting Bay, Clyde House is an excellent choice. It’s spacious, comfortable, and designed with self-catering in mind, featuring a large, fully equipped kitchen that makes cooking a pleasure.

You’ll find everything you need close by. There are supermarkets in Brodick and Whiting Bay for everyday essentials. Bay Stores in Whiting Bay is a real gem, offering gourmet ingredients, ready meals, and local delicacies. For fresh produce and quality meats, local suppliers such as Robin Gray and Arran Butchers are highly recommended. This means you can enjoy the best of Arran’s food scene without leaving your cottage. Whether you’re planning a family break or a quiet escape, choosing cottages in Whiting Bay gives you easy access to beaches, walks, and local shops. With Clyde House’s excellent facilities and the island’s abundance of fresh, local food, Arran is one of the best destinations for a self-catering holiday in Scotland.

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What is there to do on Arran?

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Whether you're interested in the basics, or are looking for ideas for more unusual things to do on Arran, there's lots of information on our website here. 

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We also maintain an Arran whats on guide which provides Arran event listings - there's an incredible amount of variety and always lots to do!

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Arran is packed with things to see and do, whether you’re looking for the classic highlights or something a little different. From stunning coastal walks and mountain hikes to exploring charming villages and local craft shops, there’s something for everyone. If you’re after inspiration, you’ll find plenty of ideas on this website, including our "Arran Activities" page, including guides to the island’s best attractions and hidden gems.

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We also keep an up-to-date Arran What’s On Guide, featuring event listings throughout the year. From food festivals and live music to art exhibitions and outdoor activities, there’s always something happening. Arran offers an incredible variety of experiences, so no matter when you visit, you’ll never be short of things to do!

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Do I need a car to enjoy a holiday on Arran?

Not at all! While having a car can make exploring the island easier, you can absolutely enjoy a holiday on Arran without one.

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The island has a reliable network of regular buses that connect all the main villages and attractions. The main routes operate in both directions as follows:

• 324 Brodick Ferry Terminal to Blackwaterfoot via the north end of the island, passing through Lochranza

• 323 Brodick to Blackwaterfoot via the south end of the island via Lamlash and Whiting Bay

• 322 Brodick to Blackwaterfoot and Machrie across the island (via the "String" road).

Most buses are timed to coincide with ferries from Brodick. You can check timetables and routes on the SPT (Scottish Passenger Transport) website, or via Google Maps.

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Arran is also a fantastic destination for walkers and cyclists. There are well-marked cycle routes and scenic walking trails that let you experience the island’s beauty up close. If you’re staying in Whiting Bay, you’ll find plenty to do right on your doorstep – from beach walks and coastal paths to local shops, cafés, and galleries.

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What about the Arran ferry?

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Arran is served by two ferry routes (technically 3 if you count the Holy Isle ferry from Lamlash which is run by Lamlash Cruises).

Most visitors come via the route to Brodick - currently operating alternately from Ardrossan and Troon - check out the CalMac Ferries timetable for the latest information. The ferries on this route are regular and take a large number of cars, though pre-booking is highly advised! There is also a smaller car ferry service which operates between Lochranza and Claonaig. This can't be pre-booked, though generally has space despite the smaller boats. This service is ideal if you want to continue your holiday with a trip to Kintyre, or on to Islay. Again, check the Caledonian Macbrayne ferry timetable for up to date information.

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What if there's a problem with the ferry?

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As an island, Arran is obviously dependent on the ferry service. This can cause disruption in bad weather and you may well have seen news about issues with the CalMac fleet and delivery of new boats (a topic of some frustration locally). 

Firstly and most importantly, don't panic - there are options!

The main ferry service is currently split between Ardrossan and Troon routes - one is generally available even if the other isn't.

If you can't get a booking on the ferry you want, it's normally possible to get an unbooked vehicle across by joining the unbooked queue - if you're doing this, I'd recommend arriving as early as possible. There is frequently space reserved for commercial vehicles which isn't used at the last minute.

Alternatively, the Lochranza to Claonaig route takes cars and is generally reliable (often even when the larger ferries aren't running). This service is unbooked, so just turn up and wait for the next ferry. The drive to most places is a lot longer via this route, but does take you through some truly beautiful countryside.

If you're finding it a tricky to working out what's running in the short term via the Cal Mac website, there's an unofficial, locally run website which makes things much clearer: Where's That Ferry?

Finally, if  you need help or have questions, please let us know - we'll do our best to help!

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Is Arran a good place for International visitors?

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If you are planning to visit Scotland from another country, the answer is yes! Arran is the perfect destination to experience everything that Scotland has to offer. The locals are friendly, we have ancient castles, hiking in dramatic mountain scenery, and peaceful sandy beaches. Arran really does have it all! The local butcher even does a good haggis (if you aren't lucky enough to see a wild one on the hills...). There are even two Whisky distilleries which may help with the haggis spotting!

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Getting to Arran from other countries generally involves flying to either Glasgow or Edinburgh airport which have direct connections across Europe and to the USA.

 

There's a good train service from either Glasgow or Edinburgh to the ferry at Troon or Ardrossan. On the island, you can choose to hire a car, use taxis or take advantage of the bus service to get around the island.

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