The Isle of Arran - Travel - Map

The Isle of Arran is a beautiful place, known as Scotland in miniature, 56 miles in circumference. The Island of Arran is a 55 minute ferry crossing from Ardrossan in south west Scotland which is less than a one hour drive from Glasgow. The lowland / highland geographic fault line runs through the Island, providing a diverse range of habitats for a large selection of Scottish wildlife, flora, fauna mixed with geology, archaeology and history.

Its northern half is rugged, mountainous, remote country, good habitat for golden eagle and deer.  Goatfell (874m) peaks over the principal town of Brodick on the east coast.  The south has gentler moorland, extensive conifer plantations and much of the island's farmland.  Much of the coast is raised beach with a shoreline of rock or shingle, and steep escarpments. Seals bask on the rocks and you may see Otter and Dolphins.

 The wide diversity of habitat across the island results in a rich bird list of over 250 species.

Among these species, Arran has a healthy population of raptors, notably Buzzard, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl and Golden Eagle.

There are many stone circles and standing stones dating from Neolithic times, including those on Machrie Moor and the Giant's Graves above Whiting Bay. Holy Isle a small island off the coast of Arran has wild Soay sheep , Saanen goats and Eriskay ponies, some of the last survivors of the native ponies of the Western Isles of Scotland.

Waverley and Goatfell by T Marshall, RSPB

TRAVEL

FERRIES run from Ardrossan on the west coast of Scotland to Brodick. Alternatively, you can also sail from Claonaig (Kintyre)  to Lochranza in the north of the Island. Ferry Services are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, for ferry timetables to and from the island, www.calmac.co.uk

BY AIR
Prestwick International Airport is situated in the heart of Ayrshire and Glasgow International Airport is only a 1 hour drive. Ryanair is the main airline flying into Prestwick with a number of direct flights from London and Europe, other airlines also use this route.

BY RAIL
Main line trains leave from Glasgow Central Station and this is where the London Sleeper service connects. There are main train stations at Ayr, Prestwick, Prestwick Airport and Kilmarnock. Glasgow airport is easily reached from Paisley Gilmour street train station.