Brodick and Goatfell – the Climb, the Castle and the Garden
A day on foot, from Brodick and back.
The route
Two of Arran's big days out begin side by side, a couple of miles north of Brodick.
Goatfell, the island's highest hill at 874 metres, is climbed from the shore at Cladach, and Brodick Castle, the old home of the Dukes of Hamilton, stands in the woods at its foot. From a bed in Brodick both fit into one long day, with no car needed. Coming over on the ferry for the day, pick the climb or the castle, not both.
Before you go
Book a bed near Brodick for the night before, since the day sets off on foot from the village at about 8am. VisitArran lists the island's hotels, B&Bs and self-catering; Lamlash and Corrie are a short bus ride away.
The day is for April to September: book CalMac's crossing to Brodick ahead, which sails from Ardrossan or at times Troon; high wind cancels sailings, so check the port and CalMac's service status the evening before.
The day
Goatfell
A day on foot from Brodick, setting off along the shore at about eight. The morning climbs Goatfell through the castle woods and over open moor to a summit of granite and a view across the Firth of Clyde. The afternoon comes back down to Brodick Castle and its walled garden, and a drink at Cladach comes before the walk home.
Goatfell from Cladach
An attraction
From Brodick pier it's 40 minutes' walk along the seafront and the Fisherman's Walk to Cladach, where the hill path starts by the Wineport. It climbs through the castle woods and over open moor to a steep finish of granite boulders, 874 metres up. Allow five to six hours with a stop on top. Wear boots, carry waterproofs, warm layers, food, water, a map and compass, and turn back by one o'clock. If the top is in cloud at breakfast, do the castle instead.
Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park
An attraction
Brodick Castle, for centuries a seat of the Hamiltons, is about 10 minutes uphill from Cladach. Inside, a display follows the lives of the 10th, 11th and 12th Dukes; outside, the walled garden dates from 1710. Last entry is at 4pm, so be off the hill by half past three. Then walk down to the Wineport at Cladach for a drink if still open, and home along the shore in 40 minutes; the 324 bus from Gardeners Cottage runs only a few times a day, so check the times.
If it rains
Goatfell is all about its view, and in cloud or rain there is none, with a steep field of wet granite boulders at the top where the path is easily lost in mist. Leave the hill for a clearer day and give the castle and its walled garden the morning instead, with the Woodland café beside them for lunch. Then walk back past Cladach towards Brodick for the Isle of Arran Heritage Museum, on the main road at Rosaburn just north of the village, open every day in its season from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Its café shuts at half past three, and all day on Mondays.
Where to eat
The French Fox, Brodick, a restaurant.
The Parlour, Brodick, a restaurant.
Make it a weekend
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