Long distance
Arran Coastal Way
A circuit of the Arran coast from Brodick — Scotland in miniature. The coastal fringe of the mountainous north, the western flank, and the sandy beaches and rocky shores of the south, with castles, a distillery and an optional detour up Goat Fell (874 m). Mainly low-level but rugged in places, with boulder fields and stretches impassable at high tide. Around 102 km (63 mi) in eight stages; allow 6–8 days. Well waymarked; anticlockwise is recommended.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 102 km/ 63 mi
- Typical days
- 7
- Total ascent
- 390 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Start → Finish
- Brodick → Brodick
- Best direction
- Either direction
- Water sources
- Refill in the villages — Brodick, Corrie, Sannox, Lochranza, Pirnmill, Blackwaterfoot, Kildonan, Whiting Bay and Lamlash. Imachar has nothing; carry water for the north-coast and Bennan Head stretches.
- Mobile signal
- Expect signal near the villages; it may drop on the remote north coast between Sannox and Lochranza and round Bennan Head and Dippen Head.
✔ Waymarked throughout
Approximate profile derived from per-stage ascent — accurate on total climb and pattern, not a pixel-precise GPX trace.
Our take
Arran is often called Scotland in miniature and the Coastal Way proves it — granite peaks in the north, palm trees in the south, and everything in between. It is easy to underestimate. The An Scriodan boulder field on the Sannox to Lochranza stage now has a stepped path and is passable at all states of the tide, though minor scrambling remains; the hardest going is in the south, where the boulders round Bennan Head and the Black Cave are impassable at high tide and difficult in the wet, and Dippen Head is another boulder scramble. CalMac ferry from Ardrossan makes access easy, and the circuit starts and finishes at the ferry terminal.
Highlights
- The An Scriodan boulder field and the north coast from Sannox to Lochranza
- Brodick Castle, Lochranza Castle and Lochranza distillery
- The King's Cave and Hutton's Unconformity
- Holy Isle from Lamlash Bay, and an optional climb of Goat Fell (874 m)
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested 8-day schedule. Adjust to your fitness and conditions.
1Brodick to Sannox12km
Along Fisherman's Walk to Cladach, then the coastal route through Merkland Wood — or, for fit walkers competent at navigation and not in low cloud, the unwaymarked alternative over the summit of Goat Fell (874 m). From High Corrie to Sannox the route follows the coast road.
- Terrain
- Footpaths, pavement and forest track.
- Overnight
- Corrie Hotel with public bar and restaurant; a cafe at Sannox.
- Stats
- Brodick → Sannox · 12km
2Sannox to Lochranza14.5km
Arguably the best section: coastal footpath and forest track to Fallen Rocks, then a smaller path through the An Scriodan boulder field — now a stepped path passable at all states of tide, though minor scrambling remains — to Newton Shore and Lochranza.
- Terrain
- Footpaths and forest track, some muddy and rocky sections, minor scrambling; tarmac into Lochranza.
- Overnight
- Lochranza has a hotel, B&Bs and a caravan and camping site.
- Stats
- Sannox → Lochranza · 14.5km
3Lochranza to Imachar14.5km
A hill-top route from Lochranza to Catacol, then a long stretch on or beside the quiet main road through Pirnmill before the final 3 km on the shore, with views across to Kintyre. Coire Fhionn Lochan is a detour of about 5 km.
- Terrain
- Footpaths, road and roadside verge, beach.
- Overnight
- Imachar has no facilities. Pirnmill, part-way, has a B&B, restaurant and shop.
- Stats
- Lochranza → Imachar · 14.5km
4Imachar to Blackwaterfoot14.5km
Two thirds on or beside the coast road, with a side trip to the Machrie Moor stone circles, then from the King's Cave car park a path to the coast, past the King's Cave and round Drumadoon Point to Blackwaterfoot.
- Terrain
- Road and roadside, then footpaths.
- Overnight
- Blackwaterfoot has a hotel and B&Bs.
- Stats
- Imachar → Blackwaterfoot · 14.5km
5Blackwaterfoot to Lagg12km
Along the coast to Preaching Cave and Brown Head, then inland to the road near Corriecravie and on quiet road to Lagg. A tougher coastal alternative continues to Sliddery.
- Terrain
- Footpath, beach, boulders and road; the coastal alternative can be boggy and cattle-trampled after rain.
- Overnight
- Lagg Hotel (summer only); Kilmory Bunkhouse.
- Stats
- Blackwaterfoot → Lagg · 12km
6Lagg to Whiting Bay16km
The boulder field round Bennan Head and the Black Cave — impassable at high tide, with a signed diversion — then a better path to Kildonan and its dykes and seals. From Kildonan, either the coast round Dippen Head or an inland route by forest tracks and Glenashdale Falls to Whiting Bay.
- Terrain
- Beach and boulders, finishing on pavements; the inland alternative is forest track. Check tide times.
- Overnight
- Kildonan has a hotel and a camping site; Whiting Bay has many hotels and B&Bs.
- Stats
- Lagg → Whiting Bay · 16km
7Whiting Bay to Lamlash10km
Round Kingscross Point, past the Viking grave and Iron Age hill fort, to Ardlui and along the shore to Cordon and Lamlash — or inland by Glenashdale Falls and forest.
- Terrain
- Footpaths, beach, boardwalk, pavement and forest track. A short stretch is impassable for about an hour at high tide; the boardwalk can be slippery in winter.
- Overnight
- Lamlash has two hotels and many B&Bs.
- Stats
- Whiting Bay → Lamlash · 10km
8Lamlash to Brodick8km
Round the bay on a minor road with views of Holy Isle, round Clauchlands Point to Dhunan, then a cart track inland and across fields by Strathwhillan Farm down into Brodick.
- Terrain
- Minor road, footpath, beach and field paths; parts are a few inches under water at extreme high tides, with an inland alternative via Dun Fionn.
- Overnight
- Brodick has hotels, B&Bs and the CalMac ferry to Ardrossan.
- Stats
- Lamlash → Brodick · 8km
Transport
To start (Brodick)
Train · ScotRail + CalMac
Glasgow Central to Ardrossan Harbour (ScotRail), then CalMac ferry to Brodick
CalMac's Ardrossan–Brodick page (read 2026-10-27) says there are alternative routes to Arran, between Troon and Brodick or Claonaig and Lochranza — check that page for the current sailing pattern before you travel.
Check times & book →
From finish (Brodick)
Ferry · CalMac + ScotRail
Brodick to Ardrossan Harbour (CalMac), then ScotRail to Glasgow Central
Hourly trains; multiple daily sailings
Circular route — start = finish at Brodick.
Check times & book →
Best months
Accommodation
Hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, bunkhouses, a youth hostel and campsites around the island — the most choice at Brodick, Lochranza, Blackwaterfoot, Whiting Bay and Lamlash. Imachar, the end of the third stage, has no facilities at all, so plan that night around Pirnmill, part-way, or arrange transport. Book ahead in summer.
Night-by-night guide: where to stay →Resupply
Supermarkets in Brodick and Lamlash; a shop with post office at Pirnmill, a grocer at Blackwaterfoot, a small shop at Kildonan and two grocers at Whiting Bay (Arran Access Trust stage pages). Lochranza has a sandwich shop and Imachar nothing. Carry food for the north and west coast stages.
Current conditions
Weather at the start point (Brodick)
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:17
- Sunset
- 16:52
- Civil dawn
- 06:38
- Civil dusk
- 17:30
NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026
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Getting to and from the Arran Coastal Way
Train and town anchors at each end of the route — on TripSCOT.