COAST Discovery Centre – Arran's Sea Life, Free
A few hours.
The route
Lamlash Bay has a No Take Zone, where nothing may be taken from the sea, and the community charity COAST set up its Discovery Centre to show visitors what lives beneath the water.
It's free, in the old pavilion on Lamlash's shore, with a tank of creatures from Arran's seas, displays on the island's protected waters and Arran ice cream at the counter. It's an easy hour for families, and a good one when it rains.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
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The day
Lamlash
A look under the waves of Lamlash Bay without getting wet, then a hot drink or an ice cream with Holy Isle across the water.
About an hour
COAST Discovery Centre
An attraction
The COAST Discovery Centre is in the Old Pavilion on the shore road at Lamlash, postcode KA27 8LS. It has no car park of its own, but there's public parking nearby in the village. The 323 bus from Brodick's ferry terminal stops at MacKelvie Road, a couple of minutes' walk away: check the times. It's open every day, 10am to 4pm, and entry is free, with a donation welcome, as the charity runs it. At its heart is a tank of creatures caught in Arran's seas and later put back. Around it are displays on the South Arran Marine Protected Area and the sea life found in it, with shells and whale bones to look at. The counter does hot drinks and Arran ice cream, and there's a small gift shop. The way in for wheelchairs is through the roadside gate next to the Coastguard entrance and up a ramp, and there's a fully accessible toilet. Dogs are welcome. In winter, and over Christmas and New Year, ring 01770 600 656 before going to check it's open.
If it rains
All of it is under a roof, in the old pavilion on the shore.