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A paved path leads down through gorse and trees to a fenced sandy beach beside a rocky headland, a lighthouse visible far out at sea.
Isle of Arran

Silver Sands

A long beach of pale sand at Kildonan on Arran's south coast, looking out to Pladda and its lighthouse and on to Ailsa Craig.

Welcome

Silver Sands curves along the south coast of Arran below the village of Kildonan, a long stretch of pale, clean sand that gives the beach its name.

Visited and photographed by Simon Hird

It is also known simply as Kildonan Beach.

From the clifftop, a path winds down through gorse and trees, over a little wooden footbridge, to the shore. Offshore lies the low green island of Pladda with its white lighthouse, and on a clear day the great dome of Ailsa Craig stands out in the Firth of Clyde beyond. At the western end, dark rocks and pools run out into the sea, where seals are sometimes seen, and in the evening you can watch Pladda's light begin to flash.

You can also reach the beach along the shore from the campsite. The village has cafes close by, and the ruin of Kildonan Castle stands on the slope just along the coast.

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Before you go

Open at all times.

Steps lead down from the clifftop, or walk along from the campsite.

Where
Kildonan, south Arran.
Also called
Kildonan Beach.
View
Pladda and Ailsa Craig.

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Did you know

A rocky shoreline of dark boulders and green-tinged rock pools leads to a sandy beach, a small island visible far out to sea.
Did you know

Named for its sand.

Kildonan Beach is also called Silver Sands, for its clean, pale sand.

A curving coastal bay of sand and shingle backs onto scattered houses and green farmland below a line of forested hills.
Did you know

Light at dusk.

From the shore at Kildonan you can watch the Pladda lighthouse flash in the evening.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Arran

Silver Sands, also called Kildonan Beach, is a long curve of pale, clean sand on Arran's south coast. A path winds down from the clifftop through gorse and trees, over a little wooden footbridge, to the shore. Out to sea lies the low green island of Pladda with its white lighthouse, and on clear days the great dome of Ailsa Craig rises beyond it. Rock pools run out into the water at the western end, where seals are sometimes seen. Stay on into the evening to watch Pladda's light begin to flash.

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Where it is

Below the village of Kildonan on Arran's south coast, KA27 8SD.

Close byKildonan.
  1. Kildonan CastleKildonan CastleA ruined tower above the shore.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. PladdaPladdaThe island and lighthouse offshore.Under a mile 2 min by road
  3. Round teak table under an oak-framed pavilion with a burger menu chalkboardForest of the Falls Café2 miles 6 min by road
  4. Eas Mor WaterfallEas Mor WaterfallA waterfall in the woods above.2 miles 6 min by road
  5. The Library in the WoodsThe Library in the WoodsA turf-roofed log cabin in the woods at Eas Mor, its walls and ceiling covered in notes and drawings left by visitors, with books to read.2 miles 7 min by road
  6. Handmade wooden clocks, bowls and toys displayed on tables inside a whitewashed workshopKilmory WorkshopDave Furze's woodwork showroom at Kilmory, where Arran-grown timber is seasoned and turned into bowls, clocks, toys and furniture.6 miles 17 min by road
Directions
Modern angular building with sign reading "Welcome to Lagg Distillery, Isle of ArranAttractionsLagg Distillery6.6 miles
White cottage-style building with a "Coast" banner and chalkboard signs outsideAttractionsCOAST Discovery Centre7.9 miles
Curved sandy beach beside a coastal village, hills rising behind the rooftopsAttractionsBrodick Bay12 miles
Deli staff stack pizza boxes beside shelves of tinned tomatoes and wine bottlesRestaurantsThe Parlour, Brodick12 miles
Vintage pale blue van converted into a coffee stall beside treesRestaurantsThe French Fox, Brodick12 miles
Whitewashed cottages with red doors, a green wheelbarrow in the gravel courtyardAttractionsIsle of Arran Heritage Museum13 miles
Jeweller files a ring at a workbench fitted with a leather catch trayShoppingJess MacDonald Brass13 miles
Baker lifts a fresh loaf from the oven in a red-walled bakeryCafeBlackwater Bakehouse13 miles

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The collections it is in and more on Arran.

CollectionScotland's Best Beaches
More on Arran
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .