ISLE OF ARRAN FAQs

The Scottish Isle of Arran is known for many things, and none more than its famous Goat Fell trail that attracts thousands of visitors every year. Arran also boasts gorgeous scenery from summer coastline beaches to jaw-dropping mountains and hills. Alongside nature, Arran provides visitors with a wide range of delicious food and drink delicacies from cosy cafes to local distilleries. Also referred to as 'Miniature Scotland', Arran is famous for more than just one trail, it is jam packed with walking and hiking trails that vary in length and difficulty, meaning there's a trail suited to each type of hiker whether you're a pro or avid beginner. The Isle of Arran promises to have something for everyone, regardless of how you plan to spend your stay on the stunning isle.

Like most parts of the United Kingdom, living on the Isle of Arran can be somewhat pricey depending on the area of the isle you choose to settle down in. With the average salary at £24,000 it can be quite a challenge to afford a house and make a living, however, there are still plenty of affordable options such as renting or shared ownerships. And, due to the tight knit community and reduced crime rate compared to other areas of the UK, the Isle of Arran is a warm and welcoming place that many people are glad to call home.

The Isle of Arran has rich linguistic roots that go all the way back to the medieval times when Gaelic was the most commonly spoken language at the time. Whilst English has become the dominant language on the isle, you can still see echoes of Gaelic in the namings of certain places and landmarks. There are efforts still being made today to ensure the Gaelic culture and history of Arran is preserved to be remembered, to encourage future generations to learn and understand the language.

Yes, absolutely you can live on the stunning Isle of Arran. Arran's housing in is high demand, and although prices can be higher than mainland Scotland prices, many argue it is worth it due to the gorgeous landscapes and tight knit community on the isle. The Isle of Arran's local community is one that takes pride and joy in supporting one another, boosting local small business and caring for the environment. The numerous walking and hiking trails on Arran are one of the crown jewels of the isle, and locals and guides ensure that each trail is kept in good condition to allow for visitors ease of access to the paths. Many people planning to move to Arran will either choose Lamlash on the west coast of the isle, or Brodick which is considered the capital of Arran.

Back in August 1997, residents on the Isle of Arran had quite the day to remember when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II paid the stunning isle a visit. The Queen's presence brought a uncontainable level of excitement to locals and visitors alike, with a local newspaper printing out a special edition to remember the special occasion. And whilst there are no confirmed plans, there is eager anticipation at the possibility of the new King Charles III paying Arran a visit in the future.

The Isle of Arran is Scottish island on the west coast, that is dripping with history going all the way back to medieval times when Gaelic was the common language. Arran's Scottish heritage can be found in several locations and landmarks throughout the island, and with delicacies like Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties available on Arran as well you can get a taste of the history Arran has to offer its visitors. So, if you're in the mood for a culinary delight, adventure in nature or a relaxing stay there's something to be enjoyed for everyone on the Isle of Arran.

The origins for the naming of Arran is an interesting story itself. The name is thought to come from the Gaelic word "Ardan" which translated to English means "high place" which is fitting due to the many high peaks on the isle such as the famous Goat Fell. The Isle of Arran's rich history, ancient culture and gorgeous scenery makes it an island worth visiting for history buffs and holiday-goers alike.

The Isle of Arran can most certainly be visited without the need for a car, no matter how long your visit will be. Once you're off the ferry you can catch a bus ride to a number of destinations on Arran such as local towns and landmarks such as the beginning of the Goat Fell walking trail. Although, having a car available to tour the island allows for you to be more free with your choices of where you visit and when as you won't need to worry about bus schedules or taxi drivers. So, whilst a car offers freedom to navigate Arran's windy nature roads, you are more than able to stay and visit the island without a car and have the same memorable experience.

Arran measures roughly 65 miles in length, meaning it would take the average skilled walker around 6 to 8 days to complete the walk due to obstacles such as challenging terrain and certain areas impossible to pass due to high tides. Although most consider the venture to be worthwhile as the Isle of Arran provides some of the most stunning views anywhere in the world, from cosy villages to sea views on a calm coastline, there's so much scenery to soak up on Arran for hikers and photographers alike.

The Isle of Arran is home to around 5,000 people with a good majority of them living towards the southern end of the isle. And around 1,000 of the population reside in Brodick, which is considered by locals to be the capital of Arran. In its small population size means several local communities have sprung up across the island, leading to locals being extremely friendly with one another, as well as a dramatic reduction in crime rate compared to mainland Scotland. So whilst the island's population may be small, that doesn't stop it from bursting at the seams with character and a welcoming attitude from its residents.

Throughout the years of it's existence, the Isle of Arran has passed through ownership of many hands, in the present day it is primarily owned by the Arran Estate, which encompasses most of the isle's properties and land. There are still numerous landowners and farmers who each have a small stake in Arran's land ownership. However, regardless of the ownership structure of the Isle of Arran, it is still an island that belongs to anyone and everyone that has visited or lived on it and experienced what is has to offer them.

The Isle of Arran is best described as "Miniature Scotland" as it is packed full of the best parts of Scotland, including cuisine, walking and hiking trails, and gorgeous coastlines and sandy beaches. Arran is a great place for those looking for job opportunities in tourism, fishing and distillery work. The island also provides education for those in primary and secondary school so families will be supported throughout the school years. There are countless outdoor activities available on Arran from the walking and hiking trails, to the sandy beaches and even a game of golf on its stunning course. Life on Arran might be more remote than most people are used to, but people who love the outdoors and a sense of community will find Arran is a great place to live.

Whilst there isn't technically a true capital of the Isle of Arran, Brodick is the closest thing to it. A town based on the east coast of Arran and home to 1,000 of the 5,000 residents on Arran. With regular bus schedules in place it is very easy for people to visit Brodick all throughout the year, although in Summer the town is stunning in the summer sun, with its picturesque beaches. And Brodick is also home to many small business restaurants and cafes that are filled with Scottish delicacies to indulge in during your visit to the town.

The Isle of Arran is made accessible via two ferries, one from Ardrossan to Brodick which takes about 55 minutes, and the other ferry departing from Claonaig, Kintyre to Lochranza which is a 30 minute journey taking visitors to the north side of the island. There have been some issues with ferry schedules as of late so it is recommended to check ahead of time that your desired ferry route is uninterrupted on your day of travel. And whilst it is not necessary, taking a car over to the island offers the benefit of freedom to explore Arran on your own terms, deciding where you want to go and when without needing to rely on bus routes and taxis.

The cost of staying on Arran can be different for each visitor depending on several factors, such as the type of accommodation they book, what time of the calendar year they visit, and what activities they partake in during their time on the island. The increase in price of accommodation and certain activities is due to the fact that it is an extremely popular tourist destination compared to other areas of mainland Scotland, however there are many free activities such as walking trails to allow you to enjoy Arran.

The ferry route to Arran is run and maintained by CalMac, and the price for a ticket will vary depending on whether visitors are travelling by car, or on foot. Two passengers in a car will cost around £25.50 from the Ardrossan ferry, whereas a single foot passenger ticket will cost only £5.00.

Yes, it is possible to glimpse the magical wonder of the northern lights from the Isle of Arran, although it is not always guaranteed. There are several factors that can affect the ability to view them, from cloudy weather, solar activity and the time of year it is. Cloudy weather can make viewing the Aurora Borealis a challenge as they hide the northern lights, and during summer time it can hard to view the northern lights due to how light it can be for most of the day. But if you do get the chance to spot them from Arran, it will be a jaw-dropping and mesmerising experience to remember.

No, the Isle of Arran does not have its own airport, however there are two airports nearby, Glasgow Airport and Glasgow Prestwick Airport. From these two airports you can travel to Ardrossan by bus which from Glasgow Airport takes around 45 minutes, and around 35 from Glasgow Prestwick Airport. From Ardrossan you can take the ferry over to Brodick, Arran which is a 55 minute ferry ride to the stunning island many call "Miniature Scotland".

Here on the breath taking Isle of Arran, there are countless ways that you can spend a day here on the island best described as "Miniature Scotland". Take in the stunning views from the peak of Goat Fell, or explore the bustling towns of Brodick and Lamlash, and enjoy the food and drink on offer from local restaurants and cafes. And if you're a fan of whisky or gin why not visit one of Arran's local distilleries for a tour and tasting. Or if you love the outdoors why not go on one of the many scenic walking trails available on the island.

A full car journey around the Isle of Arran will on average take around 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete, without any stops or breaks. Arran is around 65 miles in length so it is recommended to take several breaks during your journey around the island to rest and take in the views from bustling towns to sandy beaches and rolling hills.

Whilst you can explore most of what Arran has to offer in a single day, it is highly recommended that you spend around 2-3 days on the Isle of Arran to truly take in everything available. The Isle of Arran is an ideal family trip destination as it's filled with plenty of activities to partake in from days at the beach to scenic walking trails and quiet evenings in cosy accommodation. There is also the Brodick Castle, the Arran Heritage Museum and some extreme outdoor activities such as kayaking and gorge walking, which can be done over the course of a few days stay.

The Isle of Arran will typically receive around 300,000 visitors every single year, according to the Visit Scotland website. The popularity for the island is no surprise since it offers a wide variety of activities from golfing, hiking, kayaking and even touring a distillery or two. Arran also offers experiences such as spas and wellness centres for those looking for a more relaxed and less outdoors stay on the island. Whatever you're in the mood for, there's something for on Arran. There's a reason so many people visit each year, it's got the best aspects of Scotland in one island.