The beautiful Isle of Arran is just a stone’s throw from Argyll. From the port of Claonaig the ferry sailing takes just 30 minutes before you arrive into the scenic village of Lochranza, surrounded by hills full of red deer, and guarded by the ruined hall house of Lochranza Castle.
The village of Lochranza is home to one of two distilleries on Arran, both independently owned. Just along from the distillery you will find the Arran Geopark hub at Lochranza Centre.
The island was granted thier UNESCO status as a Global Geopark in Spring 2025. Not a scientist? Don’t worry, it’s more about Arranology!
Arran embraces granite peaks in the north and undulating pastures in the south – much like mainland Scotland’s topography. This has created stunning natural scenery (a haven for wildlife and f lora), and a microclimate that means Arran produce is second to none. It has also offered an amazing environment for people to live and visit for thousands of years, and has offered inspiration for many artists and creatives.
So, of course, when you bring all this together (scenery, flora, fauna, archaeology, people, arts, and produce), you get Arranology!
You can also visit Geopark hubs at Lochranza Centre, at Arran Heritage Museum, and at Arran Ranger Centre, at Brodick Castle. The Castle itself closes at the end of October, as does the wonderful Arran Heritage Museum. However, the gardens at Brodick Castle remain open all year round and are well worth a visit, in their own right. There’s loads to see and do, so it’s certainly worth a visit.
Accommodation is plentiful on Arran and ranges from glamping and camping to five star luxury. There’s a vibrant retail sector on the island, with lots of www.visitarran.com/whats-on clothing and homeware opportunities, as well as some incredible handcrafted jewellery and art – so be sure and take something special home with you. Food & drink opportunities are plentiful, and many have ‘sitooteries’, where you can enjoy your lunch whilst looking over the hills or the sea!
Dates for your diary
Arran Farmer’s Market
6th August
Brodick Highland Games
9th August
McLellan Arts Festival
5th September - 12th September
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