Clyde Islands

Experience Arran, Islay, Jura and Gigha along with parts of the Kintyre and Argyll Peninsulas.

Udi AshashUdi Ashash
04:34 29 Sep 24
I do treks almost every year since 2005, i have seen all types of services some very good some less. Easyways is not one of the best and why:1. Payments are made in a way that you do not know exactly what you will get until after you pay, you get a general program and then refunds are not easyways. read the small letters!!2. In case of no accommodation, they offer a transport with bus or taxi to a different location. in our case taxi was delayed for a very long time ended in very late arrival to the gust house.3. In accurate place of the first luggage pickup
John PwJohn Pw
13:44 13 Aug 24
From planning our West Highland Way walk months ago to the very end, Easyways (especially Jackie) were exceptionally friendly, helpful and efficient. Every stage of the walk went perfectly, even on the day our tired legs made us very late for meeting Ian the patient driver (please thank him, Jackie). We recommend Easyways unreservedly!
Wendy NultyWendy Nulty
06:39 08 Oct 23
We walked the Rob Roy Way everything was sorted for us no fuss, very uncomplicated and the accommodation was great will definitely be using them for self guided walks again.
Christine LewisChristine Lewis
08:11 28 Aug 23
Easyways is the company you never knew you needed. They take care of all the stressful planning of your walking holiday. They offer a huge range of wonderful walking trails across Scotland. The company book all your accommodation with a range of bnbs with pure Scottish hospitality and some stunning hotels.They arrange for your luggage to the shifted from accommodation to accommodation so all you need to do is focus in your walk. They arrange any necessary transfers. They take out all the stress of planning popular tours like the West Highland Way. However if your have special requirements they are able to tailor tours to suit your needs. They can help you arrange for dogs/young children to travel with you based on accommodation that can host these requirements. Either fill in an enquiry form via thier website or send the team an email. I am an amateur walker and Easyways showed me how much more I can do and inspired me to some phenomenal walks and see the best of Scotland.
sharon avitalsharon avital
06:37 31 Aug 22
Excelent. We recomended to all our friends
Catherine131 HBCatherine131 HB
07:35 09 Aug 19
Poor accommodatiin on the Moray Firth Walk. Failed to pick up my suitcase for our last day walking the Great Glen Way - didn't bother to speak to hotel staff despite picking up two suitcases every other day. Rang Easyways who just gave the mobile number for the driver. Neither got back to me. Accommodation away from the beginning and end of each day's walking - other walkers were in hotels etc without the extra walking. Hosts really rated but overall overpriced and let down by poor service when it was needed.
Alastair GillespieAlastair Gillespie
12:20 11 Mar 16
Together with a friend, I have undertaken numerous self-guided long distance walks over the past 10 years or so. We originally found Easyways through an internet search and are very pleased that we did so. The procedure is very straightforward - just select your itinerary and they do the rest for a reasonable fee. All accommodation, bag transfer etc. is arranged and a Tour Pack is sent out, with all the information, including how to find the accommodation, where to eat and drink and so on.We have been very happy with the standard of accommodation over the years.The staff at Easyways are great to deal with - friendly and helpful and the whole process is entirely painless.In a nutshell, we automatically turn to Easyways when considering a long walk - wouldn't go anywhere else!
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Moderate Terrain
Waymarked
Moderate Navigation Skills
from 50km (3 days) – 250km

Route Stops

Sail to Arran and stay overnight in Brodick. Brodick is the main town on Arran and is the main commercial centre and ferry port. The town offers a wide range of tourist facilities and services, including eating out and shopping. Once the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, Brodick Castle houses a glorious collection of furniture, with some pieces dating as far back as the 17th century. The garden, created in 1923 by the Duchess of Montrose, has been lovingly restored and the grounds contain numerous paths offering great views of the island, and the chance of seeing red squirrels.

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 Lochranza.

Sail to Claonaig. Follow a minor road north to the small village of Skipness, then continue on the forest track. This route descends giving good views over Loch Fyne. Reaching Tarbert Castle then heading south-west towards the picturesque harbour of Tarbert.

Arrive by public transport. Start with a lovely coastal section from Tayinloan and then climb through open countryside and forestry to Deucheran Hill where there is a wind farm. The second half of the section descends to the open glen at Brackley before ascending another forested hill to emerge with coastal views over Arran and then make your way down to Carradale.

You have the option to sail to Islay (2 overnights minimum stay) to explore this stunning island, known as the ‘whisky coast’ of West Scotland. A further option would be to visit the gorgeously untamed island of Jura. Or why not include a trip to Gigha? Attractions on the island include Achamore Gardens and the abundant wildlife, especially seabirds.

Clyde Islands

From: 31 miles / 50 km

This tour embraces the Inner Hebrides located off the south-west coast of Scotland  with the opportunity to experience a selection of islands including the islands of Arran, Gigha, Islay,  Jura and the Kintyre and Argyll Peninsulas

This tour offers a combination of options intended to deliver a package to match all walker expectations.   Just advise what locations you would like to visit, along with your preferred dates for walking and let us construct a tour to deliver a bespoke itinerary utilising public transport connections throughout, thereby keeping the price to optimum level.

All tours include limited baggage transfer with detailed advice on how to get to and from the start and end points of your chosen route.

A typical example tour might begin in Arran and end in Islay or alternatively make Tarbert your start point, visit Gigha and take in Campbeltown in the south of Kintyre  before returning north with a ferry crossing to Portavadie on Argyll.

Specially selected local walking routes have been identified each day supported by GPS Mapping for use in your mobile device giving you the choice of a short 3 day break or anything up to 10 days.

The islands have reasonable public transport access from Central Scotland and the terrain offers a good mix of coastal and hill walking.

Arran

The beautiful Island of Arran, often described as ‘Scotland in Miniature’ compresses the best of Scottish scenery into its petite size of only 20 miles long by 10 miles wide.

Kintyre

Kintyre offers a variety of landscapes from tiny fishing villages to extensive conifer forests, fine coastlines, open hills and moors. The narrow peninsula means that the sea is never far away with superb views over the surrounding islands

Islay, Jura and Gigha

You have the option a short crossing to experience the tranquillity of Gigha, a longer sail to Islay, renowned for the number of distilleries or time on to the untamed island of Jura, once home to George Orwell while he wrote the novel, 1984.

Quality Accommodation

Door to Door Baggage Transfer (max 18kg)

Rucksack Readers Guide Book

Location Details For Each Accommodation

Travel Information from start to finish

Sugguested Equipment List

Route Packages

What’s included?

  • 3 – 10 nights’ accommodation for 2 people sharing in quality B&Bs, guest houses, inns and hotels
  • Breakfast each day
  • Door to door baggage transfer to each stage – maximum 18 kg per bag
  • Downloadable GPS route guides of your selected route(s)
  • GPS Mapping App detailing full tour and accommodations
  • Travel information to the start and from the finish of the walk
  • Suggested equipment list
  • Emergency support

What’s not included?

  • Evening meals, packed lunches and drinks
  • Ferry Travel
  • Travel insurance

First established in 1996, EasyWays has built a strong reputation with the UK and International walking community in the delivery of walking holidays throughout Scotland.

The template of every successful business is grounded in long term relationships, and EasyWays, along with our accommodation providers and baggage transfer companies work as one to ensure your walk experience is both enjoyable and memorable.

As a Scottish based company we are close at hand to the walking routes and pride ourselves in delivering a bespoke service – tell us what you would like and we will build an itinerary to match.