Isle of Arran get around · Get around Isle of Arran
All Destinations | Europe | Asia | North America | Africa | South America | Oceania | Hotels
Get around Isle of Arran
Get around Isle of Arran
By car
There are three main roads on the island: the main road that runs around the coast (the A841), the 'String Road' that runs from Brodick to Blackwaterfoot (the B880) and the Ross Road that runs from Lamlash to a point between Kilmory/Lagg and Sliddery). This is mainly a narrow single track road with passing places and not on a standard to allow larger motorhomes on it. Maps are widely available all over the island if you have not got your own. Be aware that there are no petrol stations north of the String Road except in Blackwaterfoot. Also bear in mind that there is an advisory speed limit of 30mph between Brodick and Lochranza.
Car Hire is also available from the petrol station at the ferry terminal in Brodick. Cars cost from £25 per day, and range in size from a two-seater Smart to a seven-seater Vauxhall Zafira. Tel: 01770 302121. Cars are also available from Blackwaterfoot Garage with similar conditions. Tel 01770 860 277.
By bus
You don't need a car or bike to explore Arran, with an extensive and fairly reliable bus service covering most of the island (however, be warned that the bus windows can sometimes be filthy and impede your view). Services are operated by Stagecoach Western , although because of the local authority area, it's not unusual to see bus stops and timetables carrying the logo of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) who oversee public transport on Arran. A single day 'Rover' ticket costs £4.90, although beware that fares and timetables change with the seasons.
A full timetable can be found online. and printed timetables are available on all buses, on board the ferries, at the ferry terminals and from most of the convenience stores. The services are:
321 Brodick - Corriegills (service only runs once per day on schooldays only)
322 Brodick - String Road - Blackwaterfoot
323 Brodick - Lamlash - Whiting Bay (- Lagg - Blackwaterfoot)
324 Brodick - Lochranza - Blackwaterfoot
324/322 North Island Circle
323/322 South Island Circle
324/323 Island Circles
The Open Top Castle Bus (Brodick - Brodick Castle)
Most buses connect in Brodick with the CalMac ferry to Ardrossan. Check timetable notes carefully, as some late evening buses only run on Fridays during the summer. Few buses run after 9PM.
Note that many of the 323 services on Mondays to Saturdays and some on Sundays terminate at Whiting Bay. Check the timetable for details.
Generally, bikes cannot be carried on the buses, but in the off-peak season a friendly driver may let you take your bike on board, but don't count on it.
All buses on Arran are 'Hail and Ride' - you can hail the bus anywhere where there is not a bus stop.
The Castle Bus only runs Sunday-Thursday during the summer holidays, and then weekends until the end of October. The Castle is also served by the 324 bus - albeit it does not run into the grounds of the castle itself. Timetables are available locally and on board the Caledonian Isles.
There are also Island Tours that run Mon-Fri only from June to August. They connect with the 09:30 ferry from Ardrossan, and a full day tour connects with the 16:40 ferry back. You can also get a half day tour that gets back to Brodick for the 13:50 ferry back, but you do not get to see the North Island. Timetables are available on the Caledonian Isles and from Brodick Ferry Terminal.
By motorcycle
Arran is an adrenaline junkie's paradise when it comes to motorcycles! The roads are narrow, heavilly potholed (so much that Arran is the 'pothole capital' of the UK!) and often you come across 40 ton logging trucks! And after all that, the rewards are magnificant, with breathtaking views during the sunshine! As an added bonus, a motorcycle can be brought over to Arran for half the cost of a car! Even though the roads are "goin' tae pot", it's still a very big adventure for even the seasoned motorcyclist!
By bicycle
Hiring a bike is recommended to travel some routes, such as the Ross, that the bus doesn't take. In Brodick, bike hire is available from the Boathouse and Arran Power and Sail on the shore and Arran Adventures next to the Auchrannie. In Blackwaterfoot you can hire a bike from the Kinloch Sports Club. Cycling over the Machrie Moor Road from the String Road to Machrie on a calm, sunny day is not to be missed...
Be extra careful when cycling on the narrow Brodick-Corrie road as there have been some fatalities there in the recent past.
By taxi
Taxi services cover the entire island and you may find that booking ahead is a good idea as they get very busy in peak season. If you are travelling alone it is best to ask for a quote when booking, as prices can be very steep depending on where you want to go - it is actually cheaper to rent a car than get a return taxi fare from Brodick to Lochranza.
- Brodick to Clauchlands Point £6 single
By thumb
The A841 runs the perimeter of the island and provides great costal views on a clear day (aside from the rather hilly area between Tomore and Blackwaterfoot). While narrow, it is mostly well paved and easy to navigate. This road is also a good source of cars for hitchhiking. Locals ranging from grandmothers to transit van drivers will try and squeeze you in, and are a great source of information and conversation to boot. Even the police on the island will gladly give you a lift if you are lucky enough (provided they're not busy), so don't be afraid to thumb anything that passes by. There are only a few roads around the island, making hitchhiking from one village to another simple. Be aware that in inclement weather cars may be few and far between. It is not a good idea to hike along the side of the main roads for any distance as many areas have little to nowhere to get off the road if encountering a car.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Isle of Arran
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Isle of Arran - updated Apr 2024
SAVE up to 75% on Last Minute deals! Search for discount Isle of Arran hotels, motels, apartments, hostels, guest accommodations and vacation resorts. Book now and pay at the hotel. Instant email confirmation!
>>> SEARCH FOR DEALS <<<
WHERE TO TRAVEL NEXT IN 2020
Isle of Arran Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.