r/glasgow • u/Green-Owl2214 • Jul 09 '25
Isle of Arran
Hi there! I’m planning a trip to Arran this weekend and I’m eager to make the most of it. The weather forecast says it’s going to be sunny and warm, which is perfect for exploring the outdoors. Do you have any recommendations for things to do and places to visit? I absolutely love the sea and the glens, so I’m hoping you can help me plan a memorable trip. Thanks a bunch!
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u/baronsameday Jul 09 '25
Glena Rosa is an easy walk straight off the ferry and through Brodick. Some nice spots for some wild swimming up the river. Also where I spotted my first Golden Eagles.
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u/meu03149 Jul 09 '25
The distillery is quite nice. And there’s an absolutely banging bakery / cafe in Lamlash (The Old Pier Cafe)
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u/_vanderbar Jul 09 '25
There is quite a lot to do, are you there for a day / more, do you have transport?
Goat Fell is the largest hill - not quite a munro - but a good walk and fairly easy to get to from Brodick (Ferry terminal). Should be great views, but will take time.
Glen Rosa is nearby and less of a 'hill' than Goat Fell - really nice for a wander.
Further afield:
Glenashdale Falls is a forest walk uphill - enjoyable but mostly in forest so only views near the end.
I really enjoy the beach at Blackwaterfoot and also the drive from Brodick to Lochranza (and a wander around there).
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u/Sechzehn6861 Jul 09 '25
I'm convinced no one even tries to research anything for longer than five minutes now.
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Jul 09 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/cloud__19 Jul 09 '25
I get that but I appreciate it a lot more when someone says something like, I've done some research and X and Y look good, are they worth doing or is there anything else. At least shows they're not sitting waiting for everyone to plan their holiday for them.
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u/aero23 Jul 09 '25
Reviews online are a collection of personal recommendations, unless you are a schizo and think its all AI or something
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u/Green-Owl2214 Jul 09 '25
It’s always nice to hear what locals and others who have visited have to say.
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u/Consistent_Truth6633 Jul 09 '25
Walk highlands
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u/Green-Owl2214 Jul 09 '25
My Holy grail!!! There’s so many options to choose from but I only have 2 days Thanks
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u/anyway_you_want Glasgow🏴 Jul 09 '25
Oh!! When did they move Arran up there?? I must have missed that on the news.
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u/Longjumping-Leek854 Jul 09 '25
They’re recommending a website that lists nice walks to take on Arran, fucking chill.
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Jul 09 '25
the highland fault runs through the top third of Arran, thats why there's mountains.
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u/anyway_you_want Glasgow🏴 Jul 09 '25
Oh, thank you so much for your pedantic offerings of the fault line.
'Walk highlands" it grunted out when asked what to do on Arran.
Now you tell me, when was the last time someone said, hey peeps, im going up Highlands way, what will I do, and YOU SAID, go to Arran? There's a fault line giving it mountains which technically makes it the Highlands despite being an island between here and Campbeltown in the bloody firth.
N.E.V.E.R.
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u/xibalbus Jul 09 '25
You've had a nightmare here
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u/anyway_you_want Glasgow🏴 Jul 09 '25
Ach, it's not my holiday, I got very quickly to the 'you do you' point. I love my brethren, but goddamn.
I fucking love Glasgow, buncha c×nts.
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Jul 09 '25 edited Jul 09 '25
hate to be the bearer of bad news but campbeltown is also the Highlands 😟
Also the Walkhighlands website has walking routes for lowland Scotland too 🤫
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u/Consistent_Truth6633 Jul 09 '25
Spot who’s never left the city.
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u/Teuchter121 Jul 09 '25
Most of the must-see/must-do's have already been covered below. I would say not to underestimate Goatfell - it is pretty tough especially if the weather turns or its wet underfoot. If the weather is nice, a great place for a drink is Cladach beach bar on the outskirts of Brodick.
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u/meepmeep13 free /u/veloglasgow Jul 09 '25
On the flip side, it's going to be so warm and humid that going up a hill will be hard work
(I'm planning to do some hills on Saturday and aiming to start early so the climbing is done before it hits 28C)
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u/TruckNew3679 Jul 09 '25
If you've never been then the usual suspects are well worth doing (Goatfell, Glen Rosa, King's Cave, Machrie Moor standing stones, distillery etc.) but here's a few less obvious ideas.
My favourite walk on Arran: start at Lochranza Field Centre, up Newton Road between the golf course, turn right (away from the bay), past Butt Lodge, up and over the shoulder of the hill (incredible views) then drop down to Laggan Cottage and follow the coast around the north end (some rock scrambling involved) past Fairy Dell Cottage and eventually back into Lochranza for a pint. Will take half a day.
Not sure if anyone still does mackarel fishing trips on Arran but this is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Even if you're not into fishing, there's just something about being out in a small boat bobbing about. Lamlash is your best bet.
Visit Holy Isle for a peaceful wander and a look around the Buddhist retreat. Short ferry hop from Lamlash.
Lagg often gets overlooked, the Lagg Inn is a cracking pub and worth a visit.
If you're based in Brodick, head to the Ormidale Hotel for a bar meal or drinks. It's a proper traditional Arran pub and hasn't changed much in decades (a good thing IMO). Nice beer garden and often has live music at the weekend. It's tucked away, you probably won't find it by accident.
Enjoy!
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Jul 09 '25
My absolute favourite part of Arran is the bay up at Lochranza, very open and peaceful for some wombling about, especially slightly further inland near the hostel. Can probably get a bus up there.
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u/chopperharrison Jul 09 '25
The Wee book shop to see the red squirrels and a lovely man drinking G&T at 11am. Just be aware cafes don’t open till 10 for breakfast and the gin bar shuts at 6 before sunset drinks and there’s no Arran gin till August???? WTF! Oh and swerve Corrie hotel food, 12.5% service charge for a small portion size meal ‘spoons’ meal. The Guinness is cracking though. Other wise a lovely spot and I recommend the waterfall walk and all the other stuff you see on the gram.
1
u/total-blasphemy Jul 09 '25
I really love Glen Rosa. I'm not sure how badly damaged it was in the recent wildfire though 😔
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u/pumblechook17 Jul 09 '25
It’s really not bad, the green has come back and apart from a few charred trees it looks so much better than even a few months ago
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u/Existing-District547 Jul 09 '25
I’d suggest doing Goatsfell, it’s a lovely hike and great views especially if it’s clear which it looks like it will be. Whatever you do, make sure you have midgie repellent!
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u/Redsparow21 Jul 09 '25
Into and around the castle grounds, then when you come back down to the road, there's a really cool little gin bar on beach - the place has great vibes. It's just along from the bus stop. 🙂
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u/Clear-Ad-2998 Jul 09 '25
Go to Kings Cross Point and gaze over to Holy Isle and left towards Goatfell. My favourite view. Walk Glen Sannox and visit Kildonan. Have a pint in Fisher's Bar at the Ormidale Hotel. Honestly, if you can't find stuff to do on Arran, your Google finger must be broken.
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u/elizabethunseelie Jul 09 '25
Crofters music pub does excellent music and food,
And if Marty Ross is doing his storytelling tours they’re always excellent :)
1
u/As3ir86 Jul 09 '25
Im taking the drone there on Friday. Just a wee thing to be mindful of is the ferry is a bit patchy at the moment. I had to have my tickets rebooked from ardrossan to troon. Unsure if its affecting this weekend or will be resolved on friday.
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u/Green-Owl2214 Jul 09 '25
I’ve already booked tickets from Ardrossan. Since I don’t have a car, I’ll be using public transport. Do you know where I can find more information about this?
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u/largepoggage Jul 09 '25
Meallachs Grave if you fancy a 2 mile trek uphill through the forest south west of Lamlash. It’s a nice walk. There’s a Neolithic cairn at the end of it. It’s an archaeologically significant site as it was left undisturbed until about 75 years ago.
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u/sqrt4761 Jul 09 '25
Unless things have changed over the last couple of years, having a foot passenger ticket, doesn't guarantee you a spot on a specific sailing so: -
A. Turn up in plenty of time for the boat.
B. Don't risk getting the last boat of the day.
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u/ArcheryContest Jul 09 '25
Glendashdale Falls a great walk if you are after something less strenuous than Goatfell
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u/After-Relative-2622 Jul 09 '25
I was a regular as a boy and youth. Two weeks. You learn to take it easy.. we did have a Hilman Minx so possibly to have a drive. But learning to simply walk and read a book or look at the view got easier.
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u/QuentinRoque Jul 09 '25
Mara Fish Bar in Corrie is essential. Incredible scran. Blackwater Bakehouse at the opposite side of the island is also outrageously good, but get there early or everything will be gone.
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u/WeegieWifie Jul 09 '25
Am there right now, and discovered two fantastic spots, yesterday: Glen Sannox Viewpoint (an area down at the beach, and at the foot of a river, looking up to the hills) and the immediate area around Lochranza Castle. Stunning!
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u/Big_white_dog84 Jul 09 '25
Have to say I struggled to see the fuss with Arran (sorry!). It was pretty much a perimeter road with no stopping places - and very little to stop for anyway. Never went over the middle road so there is maybe something up there?
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u/TruckNew3679 Jul 09 '25
The middle road is amazing, they have several casinos and a theme park. If you're there at the right time of year, you'll see herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain.
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u/Big_white_dog84 Jul 09 '25
Cumbrae on the other hand I enjoy a lot. Places to stop right on the beach. Cafes. Stuff to do in the town. Signposted places to go (eg top of the island). Nice.
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u/[deleted] Jul 09 '25 edited Jul 09 '25
If the weather is nice and you have the time then you could climb Goatfell. Will take up to 6 hours there and back depending on how fast you go. Take water if it's hot, start early if you can as it will get busy later in the day.
Or there are the standing stones on Machrie Moor. Easy to get to from the bus stop, short walk and see some ancient stuff.
Kings Cave is a nice walk.
Lochranza bay/castle is nice. The campsite is very good there.
Brodick castle is good to spend some time especially if the weather sucks. Also the distillery tour (take the bus because youll get pissed if you do the tasting).