Arran Coastal Way

A fairly easy beginning to the walk along Fisherman’s Walk to the small community at Cladach. At this point there is the option to climb to the summit of Goatfell (874m) or take the lower route through Merkland Wood through High Corrie and on to by the coastal road. Goatfell is recommended for fit walkers, who are competent in navigation but it’s not advisable in bad weather or low cloud. Also note that there are no Waymarkers once you enter the National Trust for Scotland land or on Goatfell itself.

Some say the best section of the Way, commencing with a lovely section of coastal footpath that leads up to the Forestry Commission site at North Sannox. A forestry track then continues to follow the coast until Fallen Rocks is reached and replaced by a smaller footpath that is generally good, but can be difficult in inclement weather. Pass the testing An Scriodan boulder field to reach the recently upgraded footpath and continue on to Netwon Shore to finish at Lochranza.

The longest day of walking. Take the elevated route out of Lochranza, along a section that involves a considerable walk beside the quiet main road. The route offers magnificent views over Arran and the Kintyre Peninsula and passes through the lovely village of Pirnmill, before leaving the road and heading down to the shoreline for 3km. Thereafter the route returns to quiet roadside walking (with optional detour to the ancient Machrie Moor stone circles), before resuming path walking at the Forestry Commission King’s Cave which leads back to the coast and around Drumadoon Point to Blackwaterfoot.

The penultimate section of the route follows the coast to Preaching Cave and Brown Head then moves inland onto the road near Corriecravie, with fantastic view all around. Head back to the coast past Sliddery before resuming the road once again to cross the Lagg Burn and into Lagg.

Please note that parts of this section are impassable at high tide -“ check the local tide times before commencing. This section is provides challenging coastal walking, including scrambling over boulders, and the potential for danger should not be underestimated! Check the tide times before you set out, as Black Cave is impassable at high tide. An alternative route is signed with red Waymarkers. From Bennan Head and Black Cave, the path improves gradually as it nears Kildonan where there is a further choice of routes, either round the coast past the notorious Dippen Head or, to avoid further boulder hopping, head inland at Drimlabarra and onto Forestry tracks to Giants Grave and Glenashdale Falls before taking the route back to the coast and Whiting Bay.

The final day on the path swings inland to take in the impressive Glenashdale Falls and then continues through woodland to Lamlash, where it continues on a minor road round the coast with amazing views of Holy Isle. The route then follows a footpath round Clauchlands Point and along the coast to Dhunan. The Way concludes by use of another minor inland road, before crossing fields to Strathwhillan Farm and heading down into Brodick. An alternative route is to walk through Whiting Bay Village and round Kingscross Point past the Viking Grave and Iron Age Hill Fort to follow the shore to Cordon and on to Brodick.

Congratulations – you have completed the Arran Coastal Way! After breakfast, it is time to set off on your onward journey.