Scotland

Isle of Arran

Often called 'Scotland in miniature', combining Highland-style mountains in the north with rolling Lowland scenery in the south.

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Isle of Arran

Part of the Scotland islands map.

Names

Scottish Gaelic: Arainn; Irish: Oileán Arainn; Welsh: Ynys Arran; Scots: Isle o Arran; French: île d'Arran

Geography

Bisected geologically by the Highland Boundary Fault. Goat Fell dominates the skyline above Brodick Bay.

Geology

Bedrock: Arbuthnott-Garvock Group (Sandstone With Subordinate Conglomerate, Siltstone And Mudstone), Lochkovian–Praghian. Superficial deposits: Till (Diamicton). Contains British Geological Survey materials © UKRI 2026, licensed under the BGS Open Data Licence (OGL v3.0). Source: BGS DigMapGB-625 Bedrock & Superficial WMS.

History

Brodick Castle was the ancient seat of the Hamilton family. The island has Bronze Age stone circles at Machrie Moor.

How to reach it

CalMac ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick (around 55 minutes), plus a summer service from Claonaig to Lochranza.

Accommodation

Hotels in Brodick and Lamlash, plus B&Bs, hostels and self-catering across the island.

Nearby and related islands

Sources

Last reviewed: 2026-08-13.