Itinerary

Friday: Arrival and easy coastal walk
We will travel over to the coast by train, leaving Edinburgh Waverley at 0641 (Glasgow Central at 0833) , taking the CalMac ferry over to Arran at 0945. The crossing takes about 1 hour, just enough time to relax and take in your first views of the island - a dramatic skyline with Goatfell holding pride of place and 16 century Brodick Castle watching over our approach.

After a short picnic lunch we drop off luggage at our accommodation and then drive to Lochranza in the north of the island with its picturesque 14 century castle (formerly a Royal hunting lodge). Here a path heads off round the north east point of Arran – the Cock of Arran – for a coastal walk that is one of the very best on the island. The return route takes us over the back of the peninsula, opening up further the views to the mainland. (6 miles, 500ft ascent, footpaths with beach walking in places)

Saturday: Sea Kayaking or Arran Bike Tour
Today we will split into two manageable groups; sea kayaking around Lamlash Bay and Holy Isle (Arran’s own offshore haven and early Celtic Christian retreat) with plenty of opportunities for spotting wildlife and seabirds or road/mountain biking around the northern half of the island, which likewise has opportunities for spotting wildlife, especially seals basking on beaches at low tide. The cycle trip will also stop off at Machrie Moor to view the well preserved and moody stone circles as well as a couple of rural pubs and cafes. The cycling isn’t entirely laid-back however, as there are two challenging hills involved. (35 miles, two 900ft road passes, rural low-traffic coastal road, potholed in places). Both groups will meet up for a post adventure Whisky tasting at the Arran Distillery.

Sunday: Ascent of Goatfell - departure

The ascent of the island’s highest mountain starts from our accommodation in the picturesque village of Corrie, and follows cascading mountain streams up a well marked path to the summit. Views open up through 360’, and this is a superb place to linger – picking out the mountains of the Scottish mainland 80km/50 miles and more away, and in the opposite direction, tracing the northern coastline of Ireland. We continue along the ridge to North Goat Fell, either by easy paths or via some interesting pinnacles! A simple descent returns us back down to Corrie. (6.5m/10km, 874m/2850ft, good trail, 5 hours) After freshening up we are then transported to the early evening ferry back to the mainland, and onwards to Glasgow or Edinburgh by train.

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