Welcome toArran
The island with everything, from walks and wildlife to golf, castles, wonderful island hospitality and local artisan cheese.
More about Arran
Ideal for:
Food & drink
Outdoor adventure
Water sports
Whisky
The best of Scotland, in miniature
Everyone says it, but it's true. Arran has a bit of everything: mountains, forests, beaches, glens. You can cycle round the island in a day, and there are beautiful golf courses if you like to take things a little more slowly. You can't miss Goat Fell as you approach on the ferry to Arran - it's the island's biggest mountain, and one of the most popular walks, with spectacular views from the top. And if you want more technical hiking and climbing, go for a scramble with one of the mountaineers from the Arran Adventure company.
Wildlife, castles, local cheese, and malts
The wildlife on Arran is abundant, so pack your binoculars for a chance to see seal colonies, otters, eagles, basking sharks, porpoises, and over 100 species of birds. There's plenty of history, too - head to Brodick Castle for a peak at the ancient seat of power, or Lochranza Castle, with its underground prison, 'the pit'. After all that you might need a bit of sustenance - and Arran's got that covered, too, with local cheese, beer and whisky.
Find out more about Arran from Visit Arran or Ayrshire Arran or see Taste of Arran for details of the island's renowned local produce.
How to get here
There are three routes to Arran:
You can take the ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick, which takes 55 minutes. Vehicle reservations are recommended on these routes.
You can travel from Claonaig in Kintyre to Lochranza, at the north end of Arran, which takes 30 minutes up to 26 October 2024. From 27 October 2024, the ferry from Kintyre leaves from Tarbert (Loch Fyne), not Claonaig.
You can also travel from Troon to Brodick, from 29 March - 20 October 2024, 21 October - 20 November and 2 January - 4 February 2025. View the Troon to Brodick timetable. The crossing takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. Reservations are recommended in advance of travel.
For all three routes, you can buy tickets online, and when you do, you'll immediately receive an eTicket direct to your inbox - ready to board.
Claonaig-Lochranza is a Turn Up and Go route - when you pre-purchase tickets on this route, you'll be purchasing an 'open' ticket for a chosen departure date, valid for the season in which you've purchased it, but it won't have a specific sailing time. Simply turn up at the port of departure and go on the next available sailing. If you are travelling between Tarbert (Loch Fyne) and Lochranza, passenger and vehicle reservations are required on this route. To make a booking, please contact the Kennacraig office on +44(0)1880 280281 and select option 2 (on a touch-tone phone).
Looking for the best form of travel to and from our ports? Our Public Transport Journey Planner can help you plot your journey from anywhere in the UK, using a wide range of public transport companies.
We have also listed some travel information below that you may find useful. For travel to and from Troon, since this is a relatively new service, please also visit our dedicated frequently asked questions page for advice.
From Glasgow by car
Ardrossan Harbour is just over 30 miles from Glasgow, and it's about a 50 minute drive. If you are travelling with an electric vehicle you can find charging points at Brodick in the car marshalling area approximately 10m from the terminal.
Troon Harbour is approximately 35 miles from Glasgow and takes around 45 minutes to drive.
Travelling to Arran without a car
By train
The train from Glasgow Central Station to Ardrossan Harbour takes about 45 minutes, and 42 minutes to Troon. Check the train times at ScotRail . Check out our new Journey Planner tool to plan your bus, rail and ferry travel to Scotland's west coast and islands and make active travel part of your trip.
By bus
Stagecoach operates services throughout the week from Glasgow to Ardrossan and also operates across the Isle of Arran, connecting Lochranza in the north and Brodick in the south of the island. Passengers can find bus services and islands tours adjacent to terminal buildings.
Note: Port area is very busy at sailing times and all users of local bus services are advised to make their way to the bus stances when disembarking from the ferry.
Plan your bus journey with our Journey Planner tool.
Public transport on Arran
Arran has a range of transport options if you've decided to leave the car behind. Public buses cover North Arran, South Arran and the String. There are also a number of local private hire taxi companies and guided tour options to explore for those excursions off the beaten track or outsie of bus timetabled hours. Visit www.visitarran.com for more information.
Walking and Cycling on Arran
By Foot
With its diverse landscape, the Isle of Arran offers an array of walking routes for all levels with easier routes and defined paths taking between 1 - 2 hours to more challenging walk such as the Three Beinns Walk above Glen Rosa and the famous Goatfell. For more information about walks on Arran check out Visit Arran and Ayrshire Arran.
By bike
Enjoy cycling on the Isle of Arran with 15 mountain bike routes and 9 road routes that target all levels from enduring hill climbs to easy flat coastal rides. Bikes are available to hire at a number of locations across the island, further information can be found at Visit Arran and Ayrshire Arran.
Note: If you're bringing your bike, please add your bike(s) to your booking, - this means that you have more certainty about space. This ticket will remain free of charge.
Plan your journey at CycleStreets.
Helpful tips for driving on Arran
Video transcript - How to drive on single track roads
Postcodes for sat nav
Ardrossan Harbour: KA22 8ED
Claonaig Slipway: PA29 6YG
Useful Information
Prior to your journey, familiarise yourself with VisitScotland's #RespectProtectEnjoy guidance and check the arrangements individual islands and locations have for managing the safety of their visitors and communities. For Argyll and Bute, please read through the area's 'Be a great Visitor' guidance.
Take care on our coast: slips and falls can happen in all locations, not just high cliffs. Check out these RNLI Safety Tips #RespectTheWater
