A Day Exploring South Arran

Glenashdale Falls

An attraction

At Whiting Bay, a walk climbs to one of Arran’s most impressive sights. After passing through quiet, leafy woodland, you’ll come to the immense Glenashdale Waterfall. A wooden platform jutting over the gorge gives an incredible view of the double waterfall, most impressive after heavy rain, but with a drop of 140 feet, it’s worth seeing on any day. The Giants’ Graves Carry on hiking uphill along the path and eventually the Giants’ Graves will appear. These are actually the remains of two Neolithic chambered cairns, but from their size, people can be forgiven for thinking these were burials for giants! We know very little about the societies that made these and the stones have been badly robbed over the years. Judging by the size of the original cairns and how prominent this hill is, with spectacular views to Holy Isle, whoever was buried here must have been very important.

Silver Sands

An attraction

Almost at the most southern point of Arran, Kildonan’s Silver Sands make arguably the best beach on the island. It’s a short hike down from a parking area, but makes the perfect place for a paddle, with views out to low-lying Pladda Island. If you want more of a walk, the scant ruins of Kildonan Castle stand in a garden on a cliff not far away along the shore. Once a fortress belonging to the MacDonald Lords of the Isles, they no doubt enjoyed a wander on the Silver Sands as well!

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Forest of the Falls Café

A café

The Forest of the Falls café at Eas Mor Ecology makes a great pitstop before another small hike. While the soup is always brilliant, you might need one of their more substantial burgers or excellent pizzas if it’s a weekend! Eas Mor Falls and the Library in the Woods One of the most unusual places in the south of Arran is also one of the most memorable. Hiking up a very steep path into the woods eventually leads to the Eas Mor, a waterfall fed from a small loch that pours into the gorge. Thousands of years ago, this was an immense horseshoe falls, although today it’s usually a slender stream! Before too long, you’ll reach the unexpected part. Through the trees, in a small clearing, stands the tiny Library in the Woods. While this tiny woodland hut does house a few books, the real draw is thousands upon thousands of drawings, notes and letters pinned all over the walls! Leave one of your own before continuing the winding walk back downhill.

Kilmory Workshop

A shop

If the flag is flying and the sign is out, then the Kilmory Workshop is open for visitors! Inside, woodworker Dave has crafted some incredible items from locally grown Arran timber. Whether you’re looking for a new piece of eye-catching furniture or a souvenir to fit in your suitcase, pieces like this are far more meaningful than something out of a catalogue!

Lagg Distillery

An attraction

Finish the day at Lagg Distillery, Arran’s southern whisky distillery with brilliant views of Ailsa Craig out at sea. Opened in 2019, Lagg produces a heavily peated single malt to contrast its cousin distillery in Lochranza. The visitor centre offers tours or tastings for visitors who either want to learn more about the whisky-making process or just sample a few drams. There’s even a chocolate pairing for those who want to go all out and driver’s packs for anybody who has to wait until they get home before indulging.