Arran has a long history as a holiday island, with its easy proximity to Glasgow and the central belt. For my family it’s a tradition that extends at least four generations.
To me the island is synonymous with long summer evenings, sandy sandwiches, drippy ice creams by the harbour in Blackwaterfoot and cold pints at the Kinloch Hotel.
As our holiday horizons have broadened it hasn’t lost its charm, and for a family break it’s hard to beat. No budget airlines required – but do book accommodation and the ferry in advance. If you’re yet to discover the joys of an Arran holiday, you’re in for a treat.
Favourite family walks
Arran is loved by walkers for the diversity in the landscape, and it’s become popular with trail runners too. The Highland boundary line passes through the island, so the north is mountainous, and the south gentler and more arable, it’s partly why Arran has the nickname ‘Scotland in miniature’.
If you’re feeling hardy, Goatfell, Arran’s highest peak, is a brilliant day out. It’s only 874 m but starts from sea-level so it definitely feels challenging. From the top the views are incredible. Even better, there’s both a pub and an ice cream parlour at the Cladach Centre, where the most popular route starts and finishes. WalkHighlands has all these routes and many more to choose from.
Best Beaches
Buckets and spades at the ready, you can’t beat a day at the beach and Arran has plenty to choose from. My grandma lived in Shiskine so Blackwaterfoot beach will always be my favourite. The shallow clean water makes it great for children.
Around the island you’ll also find superb beaches at Silver Sands at Kildonan; Brodick; Whiting Bay, and Pirnmill: you’re never very far from a peaceful spot for a paddle.
Meet the animals
Arran is an agricultural island and proud of its farming heritage. A visit to Bellevue Farm in Blackwaterfoot is a fun day out for animal lovers. Children can meet Highland cows, goats, alpacas and chickens and help feed them and collect eggs, while learning about farming on Arran.
Malting barley for Lagg whisky is grown here too and there are tours that combine both destinations. Balmichael farm also offers meet the alpaca sessions and alpaca treks.
Nearby Cairnhouse Stables has been offering pony trekking and lessons (age 5+) for decades. The hour-long trek is beginner friendly and often includes a trot along the beach, likely to be a real holiday highlight. Keep a look out for seals around Arran too.
Get active
Arran has an abundance of outdoor activities for all ages and abilities. The Lochranza Centre offers half-day activities including gorge walking, canoeing, and abseiling, and shorter sessions like archery or paddleboarding. Arran Active in Brodick hires paddleboards and kayaks.
Arran is a golfers paradise with seven courses dotted around the island. Shiskine Golf Course with the beach to one side and Drumadoon Point ahead is hard to beat for views alone, but each course has its unique charms. For a shorter round Machrie and Corrie are 9 hole courses. The Arran [[Golf]] Pass has to be bought in advance but it gives you a year to play a round at each course.
Rainy days
Let’s be honest, it’s still Scotland so it’s a good idea to have a few wet day ideas ready. COAST: Marine Discovery Centre in Lamlash is the first community-led visitor centre in a Marine Protected Area.
Little scientists will love discovering what’s in the catch and release tanks this week, and watching the tank feeding sessions. You can also hire rock pool explorer backpacks and binoculars. Check the website for bookable events including ‘Shore Scrambles’ around the island with a marine expert.
The Isle of Arran Heritage Museum, just north of Brodick, is worth a visit too. It traces the island’s social history, archaeology and geology with lots of fascinating artifacts and hands-on exhibits. recreations of an old farmhouse, bothy and croft.
History lovers will enjoy visiting baronial Brodick Castle, while energy can be burned off at the swimming pool and indoor ‘playbarn’ at Auchrannie Resort.
Whisky galore
One for the grown-ups: Arran has two whisky distilleries, Lochranza Distillery which produces Isle of Arran whisky (and has just celebrated its 30th anniversary), and sister distillery Lagg in the south of the island. Both offer tours: for fans of light fruity malts Lochranza should be your destination of choice, and for hefty peat it’s Lagg.
Food and drink
All that activity will surely help you work up what my grandma called your ‘Arran appetite’: thankfully the island has a cracking food and drink scene. Most villages have tearooms: Cafe Thyme at the Old Byre in Machrie is a favourite; The Forest of The Falls Cafe by the Eas Mor waterfall walk in Kildonan is lovely; The Douglas Bistro (within the hotel) is a great lunch spot near the ferry terminal, and a trip to Blackwater Bakehouse to pick up bread and pastries is a must.
Mara Fish Bar serves incredible fresh seafood in Corrie (takeaway). Make sure to sample plenty of island produce, I always bring home Arran cheese, Wooley’s of Arran oatcakes, and Arran Mustard. Around the island you can refill fresh Arran milk at vending machines, and see how many flavours of Isle of Arran ice cream you can sample. Now that’s a summer challenge I can get behind. Enjoy!
Travel to Arran by Calmac ferries, currently running from Troon and Ardrossan.
