Isle of Arran
Goatfell — Parking
Brodick Country Park / Cladach · Grid ref NS 008 381 · Charged — check the charge on site
Quick facts
- Grid reference
- NS 008 381
- Spaces
- Country-park car park; no space count is published that we could read.
- Cost
- Charged — check the charge on site
- Surface
- tarmac
- Drive from Glasgow
- 1h 45m
- Drive from Edinburgh
- 2h 20m
Parking charge: Charged — the National Trust for Scotland runs Brodick Country Park. NTS's site refuses automated requests (HTTP 403, 28 Oct 2026), so we could not read the current tariff or the member terms; check the charge on site.
From the car park
The car park is at Cladach within Brodick Country Park, adjacent to Brodick Castle (NTS). The Goatfell path begins from the north end of the car park through mixed woodland on the castle estate. After leaving the trees, the path climbs steadily on good constructed surfaces across open moorland, gaining the north ridge of Goatfell. The final section steepens to the granite summit tor at 874m — a short scramble on solid rock.
Heading for the top? Goat Fell weather — wind, cloud & which forecast to use →
The walk
Goatfell (874m) is Arran's highest summit and one of Scotland's finest island peaks. The route from Brodick Country Park is 11km return with 870m of ascent — a full hillwalking day for most. The granite summit gives one of Scotland's most expansive views: Ailsa Craig, the Mull of Kintyre, Ben Lomond, the Paps of Jura and on clear days the Irish coast. The north ridge onwards to Cir Mhòr makes a superb extension for experienced scramblers. Allow 4–6 hours return.
Facilities
- Brodick Castle and Country Park (NTS) adjacent
Busy times
Goatfell is extremely popular as a day trip from Glasgow in summer. The ferry crossing from Ardrossan means most visitors arrive between 9am and 11am — the path is busiest mid-morning. On July and August bank holidays, the path can feel very crowded. Arriving on the first ferry or last ferry of the day helps avoid the peak. Mid-week in June and September is excellent.
Getting here without a car
CalMac ferry to Brodick — check the current route and timetable at calmac.co.uk (sailings change by season) and book in advance in summer. Trains run from Glasgow to Ardrossan Harbour. From Brodick ferry terminal, Brodick Country Park is a walk by the main road or the coastal path. Goatfell is very accessible by public transport from Glasgow.
Winter access
The ferry to Arran runs year-round subject to weather and sea conditions — CalMac may cancel sailings in severe westerly gales. The Brodick Country Park car park is accessible throughout the year. Goatfell's upper slopes and summit ridge hold snow and ice from December to March. The north ridge and upper section require care in icy conditions. Crampons are recommended if snow lies.
Overflow parking
Brodick town (1km south) has street parking and the main ferry terminal car park.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:23
- Sunset
- 16:45
- Civil dawn
- 06:44
- Civil dusk
- 17:24
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 October 2026
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get to Goatfell from Glasgow?
- Take the train from Glasgow to Ardrossan Harbour, then the CalMac ferry to Brodick on Arran — check calmac.co.uk for the current route and timetable, and book in summer. From Brodick ferry terminal it is a walk to Brodick Country Park.
- How long does it take to climb Goatfell?
- Most walkers take 4–6 hours return from the Brodick Country Park car park. The ascent is approximately 2.5–3 hours; the descent 1.5–2 hours. The final section on the granite summit tor involves easy scrambling that slows some walkers.
- Is Goatfell a Munro?
- No — Goatfell at 874m is below the 914m Munro threshold. It is classified as a Corbett (762m–914m). Despite this, it is one of Scotland's most popular and rewarding island summits with exceptional views in all directions.
- Can I walk from Brodick ferry terminal to Goatfell?
- Yes — it is possible to walk the entire route from Brodick ferry terminal to the summit and back in a day without a car. The walk from the ferry terminal to Brodick Country Park, by road or coastal path, adds to the day each way.
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