Arran Coastal Way

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Overview

Route

What's Included?

Itineraries & Prices

Accommodation

Travel Info

Additional Days

Overview

Walking Holidays

5 - 8 Nights

63 miles / 100 km

Prices from: £725 per person
Start: Brodick, Isle of Arran
Finish: Brodick, Isle of Arran
Availability: Any start date from March to October
Grading: Moderate to Challenging
Way-marked: Yes

Arran Coastal Way Highlights

Awe-inspiring coastline

Experience the incredible and diverse coastal landscapes of Arran – from the mountainous north to the gentle rolling hills of the south – “Scotland in miniature” offers fabulous coastal walking.

Goat Fell

Admire spectacular panoramic views from the summit of Goat Fell, the highest mountain on Arran and the culminating point of some dramatic granite ridges.

Machrie Moor Standing Stones

Visit the ancient standing stones on Machrie Moor and historic King’s Cave. Set amongst the bleak moorland, the Neolithic site is shrouded in mystery.

Brodick Castle

Tour Brodick Castle, steeped in history and surrounded by mountains. The fascinating castle is known for its magnificent gardens and picturesque location.

Wonderful wildlife

Spot porpoises, bottlenose dolphins, otters and grey seals as you make your way around the rugged shoreline. Inland red deer graze and golden eagles soar.

Island hospitality

Enjoy the warm, genuine hospitality and friendly atmosphere on Arran as you explore the small Scottish island on foot.

A Coastal Circuit of the Isle of Arran

The Arran Coastal Way offers a wonderful walking experience on the Isle of Arran. Referred to as ‘Scotland in Miniature’, Arran has a remarkable diversity of landscapes with mountainous scenery in the north and rolling hills and pastures in the south. Follow the incredible coastline along sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and forest tracks.

An enjoyable one-hour ferry journey across the sheltered waters of the Firth of Clyde will transport you to the most southerly and the most accessible of all the Scottish Islands, Arran. Measuring 19 miles by 10 miles, this small island has a wealth of stunning landscapes to explore on foot.

Along the coast, pretty little villages with whitewashed fishermen’s cottages and exquisite harbours are surrounded by pristine, white beaches, dramatic caves and jagged cliffs. The mountainous peaks and deep glens in the north and interior of the Island resemble the best of Highland scenery while the green pastures in the south are similar to the Scottish Lowlands.

The 63 mile Arran Coastal Way combines coastal paths, forest tracks and quiet roads to encircle this delightful island. Seals are often seen basking on the shore and red deer thrive in the mountains. Golden eagles and buzzards are found in the hills, while porpoises, bottlenose dolphins and otters have found a home in the sea around the island.

Please note that due to many accommodations on the Arran Coastal Way operating a 2 night minimum stay policy, we may need to accommodate you for 2 nights in one location with return taxi transfers from the trail. The cost of these transfers would be included in your package.

Arran Coastal Way Route Map

Recommended Itinerary

Our most popular itinerary is ACW3 which covers the route in 6 days / 7 nights.

Travel to Brodick for your first night’s accommodation

Enjoy the ferry ride across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran. Explore Brodick and spend the evening at your first night’s accommodation.

Day 1: Brodick to Sannox (8 miles / 13 km)

Leaving Brodick behind, the Arran Coastal Way begins by following the route to Goatfell, Arran’s highest and most popular peak. We recommend climbing to the top of this iconic mountain, which at just below 3000ft offers wonderful views over the island, to Ireland and the Mull of Kintyre. An alternative path leads down to Corrie village and continues to Sannox. Due to lack of accommodation in Sannox, a taxi transfer to Lochranza is included in the package.

Day 2: Sannox to Lochranza (9 miles / 14 km)

From Sannox the route takes you along the beach. Watch out for dolphins and basking sharks as you walk along the shore. Further on at Lagan Harbour is the site of the Centipede Trail and Salt Pans. The Way continues out to the Cock of Arran and Newton Point, before following the shore and the road into Lochranza, probably the most scenic of Arran’s villages. There are ferries from here to the Mull of Kintyre.

Day 3: Lochranza to Machrie (14 miles / 22 km)

Leaving Lochranza the walk heads up the hill and follows the cliff-tops, with wonderful views over Kilbrannan Sound and the Mull of Kintyre. Just south of Pirnmill it follows a rough path along the shore before rejoining the main road into Machrie. Due to lack of accommodation in Machrie, a taxi transfer to Blackwaterfoot is included in the package.

Day 4: Machrie to Kilmory (12 miles / 19 km)

From Machrie continue south and follow the path until the King’s Cave comes into view. Robert the Bruce is believed to have used this historic path en-route to taking the Scottish crown in 1314.

The route follows the pebbled shore and the road past Doon Fort, an Iron Age Fort about 2,000 years old, before arriving at Blackwaterfoot, the largest settlement on the west coast. A rough path around Drumadoon Bay makes for tricky walking but the terrain becomes easier to Kilmory, a tiny village on the south coast. Due to lack of accommodation in Kilmory, a taxi transfer to Blackwaterfoot is included in the package.

Day 5: Kilmory to Whiting Bay (12 miles / 19 km)

The Coastal Way continues along the shore before reaching a boulder field and soon after, the Black Cave. The sea here comes right to the cave at high tide which will determine which route you follow from here. Eventually it continues along a path along the shore – this is a very pleasant walk and seals can invariably be seen on the rocks.

An adventurous route follows the coastline around Dippen Head and on to Whiting Bay.

Day 6: Whiting Bay to Brodick (12 miles / 19 km)

On the final day of your Arran Coastal Way walk, the route makes a steep climb out of Whiting Bay and reaches an airy platform with superb views of Glenashdale Falls. It follows a reconstructed path and then a cycle track to reach Lamlash. A path along the shore around Clauchlands Point and then Corriegills Point will eventually reach Brodick Pier and the end of the Coastal Way.

Onward travel

After breakfast, you will start your journey home after a wonderful walking holiday on the Arran Coastal Way.

What's Included?

Your Arran Coastal Way walking holiday includes:

Carefully selected accommodation along the route and trail transfers when applicable
En-suite or private bathroom facilities whenever possible
Daily door-to-door baggage transfers
Comprehensive information pack, kit list, guidebook and map (one set per room)
Personalised itinerary with details of your accommodation, route and recommendations for lunch and dinner
Traditional Scottish breakfast
24-hour emergency contact number
Full financial protection

Your walking holiday doesn't include:

Travel insurance
Transport to and from the start and end of the walk
Lunches and evening meals

Itineraries & Prices

We offer 4 suggested itineraries for walking the Arran Coastal Way.

Our most popular itinerary is ACW3 which covers the route in 6 days.

Tour code

Itinerary

Average miles

Difficulty

Price per person

ACW1

4 Days / 5 Nights

16 miles per day

Challenging

From £725

Average miles : 16 miles per day

Tour code: ACW1

Difficulty : Challenging

4 Days / 5 Nights (ACW1)

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this package. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail.

Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you.

All of our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Our packages include all accommodation, baggage transfers and full information pack.

Single room & solo walker supplements

Single rooms are available at a supplement which covers the additional costs of a single room or single occupancy of a twin or double room.

As we incur additional costs for transferring a single bag, there is a solo walker supplement in addition to the single supplement.

Arrive Travel to Brodick, Isle of Arran for your first night's accommodation

Day 1 Brodick to Lochranza 17 miles / 27 km

Day 2 Lochranza to Blackwaterfoot 16 miles / 26 km

Day 3 Blackwaterfoot to Kildonan (overnight Blackwaterfoot) 15 miles / 24 km

Day 4 Kildonan to Brodick 15 miles / 24 km

Depart Onward travel from Brodick, Isle of Arran

Prices

Premium

Best available Guest Houses, Inns & Hotels

From £1025 per person

Carefully selected guest houses, inns and hotels throughout your walk, which will be the best available in each location. As premium accommodation is in short supply on this trail, please note that some establishments will be of a higher standard than others. En-suite facilities or private bathroom guaranteed.

Enquire Now

Standard

Good quality B&Bs, Guest Houses & Hotels

From £725 per person

Good quality and comfortable B&Bs, guest houses and some hotels located as close to the trail as possible. We will prioritise en-suite facilities or a private bathroom, although in remote areas with limited accommodation this may not always be possible.

Enquire Now

ACW2

5 Days / 6 Nights

13 miles per day

Challenging

From £920

Average miles : 13 miles per day

Tour code: ACW2

Difficulty : Challenging

5 Days / 6 Nights (ACW2)

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this package. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail.

Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you.

All of our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Our packages include all accommodation, baggage transfers and full information pack.

Single room & solo walker supplements

Single rooms are available at a supplement which covers the additional costs of a single room or single occupancy of a twin or double room.

As we incur additional costs for transferring a single bag, there is a solo walker supplement in addition to the single supplement.

Arrive Travel to Brodick, Isle of Arran for your first night's accommodation

Day 1 Brodick to Lochranza 17 miles / 27 km

Day 2 Lochranza to Machrie (overnight Blackwaterfoot) 14 miles / 22 km

Day 3 Machrie to Kilmory (overnight Blackwaterfoot) 12 miles / 19 km

Day 4 Kilmory to Whiting Bay 12 miles / 19 km

Day 5 Whiting Bay to Brodick 12 miles / 19 km

Depart Onward travel from Brodick, Isle of Arran

Prices

Premium

Best available Guest Houses, Inns & Hotels

From £1225 per person

Enquire Now

Standard

Good quality B&Bs, Guest Houses & Hotels

From £920 per person

Enquire Now

ACW3

6 Days / 7 Nights

10.5 miles per day

Moderate

From £1005

Average miles : 10.5 miles per day

Tour code: ACW3

Difficulty : Moderate

6 Days / 7 Nights (ACW3)

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this package. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail.

Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you.

All of our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Our packages include all accommodation, baggage transfers and full information pack.

Single room & solo walker supplements

Single rooms are available at a supplement which covers the additional costs of a single room or single occupancy of a twin or double room.

As we incur additional costs for transferring a single bag, there is a solo walker supplement in addition to the single supplement.

Arrive Travel to Brodick, Isle of Arran for your first night's accommodation

Day 1 Brodick to Sannox (overnight Lochranza) 8 miles / 13 km

Day 2 Sannox to Lochranza 9 miles / 14 km

Day 3 Lochranza to Machrie (overnight Blackwaterfoot) 14 miles / 22 km

Day 4 Machrie to Kilmory (overnight Blackwaterfoot) 12 miles / 19 km

Day 5 Kilmory to Whiting Bay 12 miles / 19 km

Day 6 Whiting Bay to Brodick 12 miles / 19 km

Depart Onward travel from Brodick, Isle of Arran

Prices

Premium

Best available Guest Houses, Inns & Hotels

From £1365 per person

Enquire Now

Standard

Good quality B&Bs, Guest Houses & Hotels

From £1005 per person

Enquire Now

ACW4

7 Days / 8 Nights

9 miles per day

Moderate

From £1245

Average miles : 9 miles per day

Tour code: ACW4

Difficulty : Moderate

7 Days / 8 Nights (ACW4)

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this package. Transfers are included when you are staying away from the trail.

Additional nights can be added at any stage along the walk and we would be delighted to adjust it for you.

All of our prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. Our packages include all accommodation, baggage transfers and full information pack.

Single room & solo walker supplements

Single rooms are available at a supplement which covers the additional costs of a single room or single occupancy of a twin or double room.

As we incur additional costs for transferring a single bag, there is a solo walker supplement in addition to the single supplement.

Arrive Travel to Brodick, Isle of Arran for your first night's accommodation

Day 1 Brodick to Sannox (overnight Lochranza) 8 miles / 13 km

Day 2 Sannox to Lochranza 9 miles / 14 km

Day 3 Lochranza to Imachar (overnight Blackwaterfoot) 9 miles / 14 km

Day 4 Imachar to Blackwaterfoot 8 miles / 13 km

Day 5 Blackwaterfoot to Kilmory (overnight Whiting Bay) 8 miles / 13 km

Day 6 Kilmory to Whiting Bay 12 miles / 19 km

Day 7 Whiting Bay to Brodick 12 miles / 19 km

Depart Onward travel from Brodick, Isle of Arran

Prices

Premium

Best available Guest Houses, Inns & Hotels

From £1550 per person

Enquire Now

Standard

Good quality B&Bs, Guest Houses & Hotels

From £1245 per person

Enquire Now

Arran Coastal Way Accommodation

All of the accommodation that we reserve for you has been personally selected by our expert team to ensure it meets our exacting standards. We regularly review our extensive database.

We prioritise accommodation as close to the walking trail as possible. Occasionally, your accommodation may be located a short distance from the trail, or you may need to spend more than one night in the same place, in which case we will provide return transfers.

Travel Information

As an environmentally conscious tour operator, we actively encourage the use of public transport by providing clients with a detailed breakdown of travel options in their information packs. The following information may help with your pre-trip planning.

Getting to & departing from Brodick, Isle of Arran

By Air

Nearest International Airports: Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

An airport shuttle bus operates between Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow city centre (journey time 25 min). Regular train services run between Glasgow Central Station and Ardrossan (journey time 40 min), where you can connect with a ferry to the Isle of Arran.

A train service operates between Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Ardrossan (journey time 45 min).

By Public Transport

Nearest Railway Station: Ardrossan Station.

A train service operates from Glasgow Central Station to Ardrossan (journey time 40 min), where you can connect with a ferry to the Isle of Arran. Ferries are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne and the journey time is just under one hour.

The journey from London Euston to Glasgow Central Station takes approximately 5 hours.

By Car

If you plan to travel by car, there is secure parking at the ferry terminal at Ardrossan. This is non-bookable so you can simply turn up and park on the day of your sailing.

Additional Days

We would be delighted to arrange additional accommodation for you along the Arran Coastal Way.

You may wish to plan a rest day or have an additional night at any of the locations along the route which offer activities or sightseeing opportunities – we’ve made some suggestions below. Please request this when you make an enquiry.

Brodick

Visit Brodick Castle and enjoy its magnificent gardens
Enjoy spending time at the Arran Aromatics Factory and Shop
Visit the Island legendary Cheese Company and Arran Chocolate Factory
Play a round of golf at one of seven golf courses on the Island

Lochranza

Visit Arran Distillery and enjoy a tour and a free dram of whisky
Walk to the ruins of Lochranza Castle

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