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Sign in with FacebookLatest Isle of Arran hotel reviews
Pro
Easily accessible from Glasgow
Con
Island life - some may find it a little parochial
In a nutshell
Small but beautiful.
mtncorg Says: Whisky had not been distilled - legally - on Arran for over a hundred years - 160 to be more accurate - before this distillery was established in 1995. The distillery offers tours - four pounds - through the day along with a large café and gift shop. The day I was here, the...
mtncorg Says: Arran’s highest peak - 874 meters/2866 feet - dominates the skyline from both Brodick and the Scottish Ayrshire mainland. It serves as a magnet for many would-be modern day versions of George Mallory. They clamber off the ferry at Brodick and set out to walk around the bay,...
hevbell Says: Holy Isle, so named as it was home to the Celtic St Molas, sits in Lamlash Bay and is accessible by a small ferry from the pier in the middle of Lamlash. We didn't have time to go there unfortunately but if you leave early enough it is apparently possible to climb its peaks...
hevbell Says: At the south end of the Island is the village of Kildonan and probably the best beach on the island, which seemed to be fairly popular. The village is reached by leaving the main road round the island, onto a narrower road. There is some parking at the side of the road where...
hevbell Says: When you reach the falls themselves there is a wooden viewing platform which juts out from the hillside over the burn to give a great view over the falls. I was surprised how tall it was - over 140 feet in height, falling in two drops to a plunge pool below. Much more...
hevbell Says: Our final morning on the island was spent walking to Glenashdale Falls. They are reached by walking through woodland, alongside the Glenashdale Burn. You can begin this walk in the village of Whiting Bay near the shore, and walk in a circuit. We chose to park our car a bit...
hevbell Says: our next stop was in the north of the island at the beautiful village of Lochranza. This was definitely my favourite of the villages, so picturesque and seemed very quiet. The houses are stretched out right around the side of the sea loch with the backdrop of mountains that...
hevbell Says: On the shore of the Loch, on the end of a short peninsula, sits the ruins of 16th century Lochranza Castle which was once a hunting lodge for Scottish Kings before being owned by the Campbells and Montgomeries. After having fallen into disuse and eventually disrepair, its...
hevbell Says: It wasn't so nice a day when we were there so we just had a quick look around the formal walled gardens but it would be nice to spend more time there and also exploring the woodland walks etc on a sunnier & drier day. The country park stretches from the shores of Brodick Bay...
hevbell Says: It was raining when we arrived on Arran so we decided to head for Brodick Castle first so we were indoors. Its owned by the National Trust for Scotland so if you are a member [or member of an affiliated organisation] entry is free. You tour the castle by yourself but there...
1 Review and 35 Opinions I have stayed at the Belvedere two times now and would go back every time. There is a magic about...
ARRAN ON A PLATE: YOU WANT TO LICK IT (YOU KNOW YOU DO)
DAO Says: The food here is so impossibly delicious that you will want to lick your plate clean. The reason it is called ‘Arran on a Plate’ is due to the fact that the Master Chefs of Great Britain award their Chefs with plates highlighting their achievement. The restaurant is centred...
hevbell Says: A bar bistro overlooking the shore at Brodick. Mostly Italian style menu with pasta dishes, pizza, risotto etc with a Scottish twist and plenty seafood options. They did also have things like fish & chips for the more conservative diners [ie my dad!]. Prices were reasonable...
mtncorg Says: The Stagecoach buses offer good and regular service around the entire island - to go completely around takes some 30-40 miles and about two hours. Most one way fares were 2.3o pounds, so you are better off buying a DayRover pass for 4.20 pounds which gives you unlimited use...
hevbell Says: The main way of getting to Arran from mainland Scotland is by Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from the Ayrshire town of Ardrossan. There are several daily crossings and the ferry runs year round.Its a roll on roll off car ferry and to take a standard vehicle is approx £59 return...
Something for everyone! Whether you love new-age stuff from crystals to yoga, feng shui and meditation...there's also gorgeous jewellery from India & Nepal, Tibetan singing bowls, funky clothing mostly fairtrade and plenty of unusual gifts to take home. Follow the smell of incense and you'll find it on the main street in Brodick.
Updated Nov 11, 2010
Website: www.arranasia.com
Helpfulness
OK. You are in Brodick and you hoped to waddle up Goatfell but the peak is hidden by swirling clouds which show no sign of leaving. You can A) proceed to the nearest pub B) head for Brodick Castle and pay for the opportunity of seeing how the ‘high people’ used to live or C) hop on a local bus for 4.20 pounds and take your own circle tour of Arran. You can either go north towards Lochranza or south via Lamlash - both routes end up in Blackwaterfoot on the western side. Talking with the bus driver, lots of people take exactly this opportunity of getting familiar with the lay of the land on Arran by circling the island on the bus.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
mtncorg Says: This being Scotland in Miniature, you will find one item looming not so small is the weather. There are nice days on Arran - I have seen pictures on the internet - but as fate would dictate for me, the only nice days I had were the ones in which I was coming and going. Many...
mtncorg Says: Cir Mohr is maybe the most elegant peak on Arran standing between Glens Rosa, Sannox and Lorsa. Casiteal Abhail, directly north, offers arguably the best overall views on the island. Beinn Nuiss, Beinn Tarsuinn and A’Chir offer tough walkers even more views. Beinn Bharrain...
mtncorg Says: Lying about a half kilometer north of Goat fell is another peak the is between the beautiful glacial U-shaped valleys of Glen Rosa and Glen Sannox. North Goatfell stands a bit lower at 818 metes - Goatfell is 874 - but your view is as good or maybe even better. Other peaks...
mtncorg Says: While many head for Arran’s golf courses, beaches, and Brodick Castle, a significant minority head for Arran’s trails. You’ll see them emergin from the ferry, trekking poles at the ready, gaiters on to protect them from Brodick’s gutters and Ordnance Maps in hand. The...
Arran’s moniker is ‘Scotland in Miniature’ and some might agree. There are mountains (the geological boundary between Lowlands and Highlands cuts Arran in half), glens, sparkling seas, ruined and...
In June 2010 I finally made to the Isle of Arran for the first time and loved it! I can't wait to go back some time. I have lived in Ayrshire for most of my life and have said for MANY years "this is...
It might have been rainy and miserable when we left Glasgow, and indeed when we arrived at the ferryport, but as soon as we arrived on the Isle of Arran the sun came out to greet us. Brodick (the main...
I have just spent the weekend in one of my favourite places in the world (at least as much as I’ve seen of it anyway). The Isle of Arran lies off the Ayrshire coast and has the most amazing...
Arran is a beautiful small island with some great cycling , walking & some fantastic views.
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