The Arran Coastal Way: Walking guide

Bare facts

The Arran Coastal Way is a hiking route that makes a circuit in 7 walking days of the Isle of Arran, in Scotland. The start of the circuit is the island capital of Brodick.

The highest point reached on the Arran Coastal Way is 874m (2,867ft) on Goatfell, Arran's highest point, on the first stage out of Brodick, the island capital.

Arran is a small island - large enough - on the Western side of Scotland, in the region known as Argyll. The landscape of Argyll in general is rocky hillsides and coast, a handsome landscape suited for walking... and easily reached from Glasgow. Glasgow itself, of course, is easily reached from Edinburgh with its many international flights. From Glasgow we take the train to Ardrossan and then the ferry to Brodick.

Languages and names

The Arran Coastal Way runs entirely within the Isle of Arran, Scotland, UK. The language is English. Gaelic is also spoken on the Isle of Arran.

Grading

Alpine Exploratory gives the Arran Coastal Way its Blue grade. Of our 7 stages, all are Blue apart from Stage 1 which is at Red grade (one grade harder than Blue) if one takes our main route up Goatfell. Our alternative route on Stage 1 is at a lower level than Goatfell and is Blue.

Generally speaking, the walking on the Arran Coastal Way involves days of medium length, without enormous amounts of ascent and descent when compared to our other routes in the UK and Ireland. The photos shown here give an impression of the route, which is coastal.

One aspect of Arran walking to note, is that we must take account of tide times in some places: there is always a route, and this might in some places involve choosing the inland route as opposed to the shoreline, depending on what the tide is doing.

When to go?

Our Arran Coastal Way season runs from the start of May to the middle of September. Essentially, this is the high Spring and Summer in Scotland and indeed our other walks in the UK and Ireland.

We set these season dates in the UK and Ireland in order to avoid the early frosts which can affect March and April days (though March and April are often glorious, especially in the Highlands) and to avoid, at the other end of the season, the wetter and colder weather which can come in towards the end of September. We also keep in mind the elements of the tourist infrastructure (shops, cafés and hotels) that follow the seasons; there is a noticeable buzz during the season.

Where to stay

The accommodation on the Arran Coastal Way is sound, overall, though with the ups and downs, the high points and the low points, that might be expected from an island that is in large part remote. The island capital, Brodick, gives us a range of places that more readily lets us book the style of hotels that we want to; in some other places, there is less choice.

What is a great help on Arran is the reliable round-Arran bus route, that lets walkers reach the next town along the coast. Put simply, the interior of the island is hilly, whereas the coast is flatter and gives the possibility of villages, towns and roads. In terms of accommodation, then, one place that is full can easily be got around by a bus to the next place that has availability, and Alpine Exploratory would advise on this when booking someone's schedule.

The Arran Coastal Way: Our route

We leave Arran's main town Brodick, and make for Goatfell, the highest peak on Arran, at a height of 874m (2,867ft). We give a lower-level alternative too, for days that are not suited for the ascent of a peak! From Goatfell we reach the small settlement of Corrie, on the coast, North of Brodick.

Along the way today, we see what are called raised beaches. Arran is noted for its raised beaches: in ancient times, the sea level was higher, and the cliffs that we see inland, on this stage, were once sea-cliffs. The sea level dropped in various stages, and at one time the land that our route goes along was the beach. Later, the sea dropped further, and that beach became a 'raised beach'.

Early in this stage, we pass the ferry port of Lochranza which connects Arran with the Mull of Kintyre at Claonaig - the second way on or off the island, after Brodick. We reach Imachar as a small village.

We start this stage with some road walking, which can be skipped by the bus. Pass King's Cave, an old sea cave from ancient times and now inland. We reach Blackwaterfoot with its small supermarket and bakery.

We pass caves today, and later we decide whether to take a coastal or an inland route when the Arran Coastal Way splits. Near the end, we pass the Lagg Distillery which is open for tours and refreshments.

Near the start of today's stage, the Arran Coastal Way goes along the beach, along the sand if the tide is out. Later, at a junction, we can take an inland route or a coastal route by Black Cave which has some trickier walking than is normal for the Arran Coastal Way, as well as being tidal. This coastal section should be avoided during the 2 hours before or after high tide. Later, from Kildonan, we see Pladda island and a distant Ailsa Criag beyond. Eventually we reach Whiting Bay as quite a big town (for Arran) with its Post Office and store.

The early section along the shore to Cordon, today, is not passable 1 hour before and after high tide. If you are likely to be affected by this, there are two options: either time your walk to miss the high tide, or catch the bus along the coast to Lamlash and carry on from there. At Lamlash we find a shop, and Holy Isle just off-shore. In Brodick we finish our quest at the Arran Coastal Way obelisk, which is opposite the Douglas Hotel.

Hike the Arran Coastal Way with Alpine Exploratory

Alpine Exploratory offers one self-guided week on the Arran Coastal Way. This completes the Arran Coastal Way in 7 walking stages, in a circuit from the main town (and ferry point) Brodick. If you prefer a guided trip, please contact us to talk about a private guided trip.

Arran Coastal Way

Our self-guided holidays supply you with what you need to complete the route under your own steam, as your own group of friends or family. We book your accommodation in our mix of B&Bs and hotels, and we give you our detailed Routecards, the local maps, and lots of notes. We are here to advise you on the approach to the Arran Coastal Way that will suit you best: there are many approaches to the basic trip.

Please ask us any time for more details. Please feel free to describe your walking experience and preferences, and we'll suggest what style of trek you might enjoy most.

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