Cultural Things To Do On The Isle of Arran

An Overview of the Isle of Arran

With frequent ferries, the Isle of Arran is an extremely popular sea-and-mountain tourist destination for those visiting Glasgow.  Notorious for its food culture, the island can be explored by car within six hours.  The island is positively littered with standing stones and ruins. The mountains that peak across the island are considered beautiful, sweeping curves.  The sky here is said to be among the most impressive and reflective in all of Scotland (which is saying something).  There are many cultural things to do on the Isle of Arran. The Isle is all of Scotland’s diverse landscapes in miniature.  

Transportation Information

Ferries leave from  Ardrossan to Brodick, which is a 55 minute journey.  Alternatively, Claonaig in Kintyre to Lochranza leaves tourists on the north end of the island, which only takes 35 minutes.  The island is large enough to require a vehicle for decent exploration. For those bringing a car, vehicle reservations on the ferry are highly recommended. Otherwise, tours are offered to help circulate and navigate the island.   

Cultural Things To Do on The Isle of Arran

Machrie Moor Standing Stones

These are a series of enormous, skinny standing stones holding vigil against eons of wind. The ancient standing structures exist on a wind-swept and stony grassland on the east side of the island near the town of Tormore.

The Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles are unique buildings on the northern end of the isle. These small, white cottages were specifically created with different windows to signal husband fishermen who were working out at sea.  When a wife urgently needed her spouse, she could light a candle in one of the unique windows, creating a different light pattern than her neighbors to summon her husband home. The exact address for these clever cottages is Catacol, Scotland, KA27 8HN United Kingdom.

Lochranza Castle

This impressive fortification is a blocky, 13th century castle located in the northernmost area of Arran Island. To reach the castle, visitors must follow an artificial road extending into the bay. The castle is part of the town Lochranza. It is also close to Arran’s first distillery, established more than 150 years ago.  

Brodick

Brodick is the economic village and powerhouse of the island. Brodick’s name is derived from Norse roots, meaning “Broad Bay”.  Goat Fell (the tallest mountain on the island) roosts over the village. Brodick is the only ferry access point to the nearby Holy Isle and only during specific seasons. The famed Brodick Castle also sits here, overlooking Arran.

Holy Isle

Only infrequently accessible,  the island has a long history as sacred site, with a spring said to possess healing properties. The Isle is also home to the hermit cave of 6th Century monk Saint Molaise. Visitors exploring the picturesque island can find ruins and evidence of a 13th Century monastery.

Island Cheese Company (Arran Cheese Shop)

This is a small creamery which sits within Brodick on the opposite side of the park following the coastal Fisherman’s Walk.  This area also includes Wooleys of Arran Oatcakes, which are a locally famous snack.  

A Taste of Arran

This is a collective group of businesses on the island that work together to showcase their considerable food culture. A taste of Arran isn’t a single location, but a community and culinary organization promoting tourism and cultural distinction on the isle.

King’s Caves

Located near the village of Blackwaterfoot, these caves have unique, multi-entrance formations. They’re also supposedly covered in obscure Christian carvings, though the actual origin of the carvings are somewhat contested. The cave is tied to a famous Scottish Parable following the story of Robert the Bruce. In legends, is said to have had his famous encounter with a spider in these caverns. The parable involves other stories about the Scots and their endless wars against the southerly English.  Visiting the caves can be included while walking around Blackwaterfoot.

Blue Pools – Glen Rosa

This is a popular water feature near the town of Brodick. A small waterfall tumbles into a deep, blue pool surrounded by impressive views of Chir Mhor and Goatfell. The pools are a popular hike when climbing up the ridge between the two saddle views.

Additional Recommendations:

The majority of the points of interest on the island go from the northernmost point pf the isle to Brodick.  I recommend taking the ferry to either of these points before exploring the other direction.  From there, it’s simple to branch out around the island as desired. 

Read more about cultural things to do on the Isle of Arran and seeing the world by visiting Leftfade Trails Travel Blog.

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