Isle of Arran

A Day Around Northern Arran

A day by car, from Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park to King's Cave.

Written by Graeme Johncock

Scotland has lots of islands, but none quite like the Isle of Arran. In the Firth of Clyde, it’s somewhere that I feel the excitement building as the ferry crosses over. Arran has a wee bit of everything including distilleries, castles, stone circles, waterfalls and important wildlife. The Highland Boundary Line even divides the island into Highlands and Lowlands. No wonder the Isle of Arran is known as Scotland in Miniature! There’s so much to see on Arran that it can’t be done in a single day, but if you only have 24 hours, I would explore the northern half of the island!

Pick your dates, and who is coming, and every stop will say whether it is open that day, and what it is like with children, a dog or a wheelchair.

How: A day by car
Distance: About 32 miles
Starts: Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park
Ends: King's Cave
Good for: Food and drink, Castles, Walks, Islands, Whisky, Gardens

The day

Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park
An attraction
Start your day exploring Arran at one of its most impressive sites! Run by the National Trust for Scotland, Brodick Castle was once a lavish home for the powerful Hamilton family. At its core, the building dates back to the 1200s, but you wouldn’t think it today. Brodick was doubled in size and completely redesigned by Princess Marie of Baden who married the future 11th Duke of Hamilton. She made sure that this place was fit for her title and its opulent rooms and rows of antlers are a Downton Abbey fan’s dream! Just keep your eyes and ears open for the Grey Lady ghost who likes to haunt the servant’s quarters...
More about Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park
The rest of this day is for members.
7 more stops, what to do at each, and the drive between them. Members read every one of our days, and the magazine.
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North Glen Sannox
A walk
Lochranza Distillery
An attraction
Lochranza Castle
An attraction
Sandwich Station
Food and drink
The Sailor's Grave
An attraction
Machrie Moor Stone Circles
An attraction
King's Cave
An attraction