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Beaches
on Arran.

It’s 21:00 on Arran.
Isle of Arran

Pink granite and Kildonan's pale sand.

Arran's beaches are quiet, unhurried places with the hills or the sea islands for company. On the north-east coast, the bay at Sannox has coarse sand mixed with pink granite gravel, washed down from the mountains, and stepping stones over the burn with a view straight up Glen Sannox. On the south coast, a path winds down through gorse to a long stretch of pale sand at Kildonan, looking out to the lighthouse on Pladda and the great dome of Ailsa Craig. Take care on the stepping stones after rain, and stay at Kildonan to watch Pladda's light begin to flash.

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Beach of the day18 hours ago

Sannox Beach.

A quiet bay on Arran's north-east coast with coarse sand and pink granite gravel, stepping stones over the burn and views up Glen Sannox.

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From our guide16 hours ago

Silver Sands.

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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From the magazine14 hours agoThe printed copy of Issue 11Issue 11Autumn / Winter 2025–26

When the Landmark Trust took on Saddell Castle, on Saddell Bay in Kintyre, large trees were growing out of its parapets.

The tower was built in 1508 for the Bishop of Argyll and held by the Campbells for almost 400 years, and only its outer walls and two fireplaces survive from the original building. The Landmark Trust, a charity that rescues historic buildings and lets them as holiday homes, has reopened it after a year of renovation. From the battlemented wall walk round the roof, you can see across the Kilbrannan Sound to the Isle of Arran. Down on the long white shore, you could hum Mull of Kintyre to yourself: this is the beach where Paul McCartney filmed its music video.

See Saddell Bay and Castle · Isle of Arran
From Issue 11 of Hidden Scotland magazineIssue 1112 hours ago

The Best of the Isle of Arran

Our guide to the Isle of Arran, from Goatfell, Glen Rosa and the King's Cave to Brodick and Lochranza castles, its distilleries, beaches and places to eat and stay.

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From our guide5 hours ago

Brodick Bay.

Brodick Bay is the first view most people get of Arran, a broad curve of golden sand reaching round from the ferry with the cone of Goat Fell standing over the far end. It makes a lovely first or last walk on the island. The Fisherman's Walk follows the shore for about two miles before turning inland towards the castle and Cladach, and the northern end, under the castle woods, is the prettiest stretch. The water is shallow and sheltered for a paddle, and there are cafés with sea views back in the village.

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From the magazine3 hours agoThe printed copy of Issue 11Issue 11Autumn / Winter 2025–26

At Kildonan, in the south of the Isle of Arran, a dinosaur-like footprint left around 240 million years ago can still be seen 50 metres from the car park.

The print was left by Chirotherium, and it is still there to find, embedded in black igneous rock a short walk from where you park. Beyond it, the white sweep of Silver Sands is ideal for seal spotting, paddling and picnics among sheltered coves. Arran is full of finds like this. On the Laggan Circuit, an old slate quarry holds fossilised tracks of Arthropleura, an ancient millipede that grew two metres long. So pack a picnic, and give yourself time for the rocks as well as the beach.

Read the full story in Issue 11
From our guide1 hour ago

Pladda.

Pladda is the low green island off Arran's south coast, and its name comes from the Old Norse for flat isle. Its lighthouse was first lit in 1790, the first light on the approaches to the Clyde built by the Commissioners of Northern Lights. For about a century it showed two lights, one above the other, so that sailors could tell it from its neighbours. The last keeper left in 1990. The island is privately owned, so enjoy it from the shore at Kildonan as dusk falls, or on a boat trip from Lamlash with the chance of seals and dolphins.

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From our guideJust now

COAST Discovery Centre.

In the old white pavilion on the shore at Lamlash, the COAST Discovery Centre tells the story of the sea around Arran. It is run by COAST, a local charity that looks after the island's waters, including the No Take Zone in Lamlash Bay, where fishing has been banned since 2008. It was the first community-led visitor centre in a Marine Protected Area in the UK. Tanks hold creatures from the shore and the bay, and there is plenty for children to look at and touch. Entry is free, and there is local ice cream too.

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