Trip created by Rachael Gavan
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Region: West Highlands including Knoydart
Trip Type: Wilderness Walking
Accommodation: Classic
Max Group Size: 8
Confirmed: When 3 Travellers Book
Deposit From: £338.75 £338.75

Grading:

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All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

Download Itinerary

Dreaming of visiting somewhere that has it all? If so, this walking trip to the Isle of Arran is for you.

Blessed with dramatic mountain peaks, gorgeous beaches and a wealth of cultural treasures, Arran is often referred to as a “mini Scotland” and you don’t have to look too hard to see why.
Join us on a five-day adventure to this incredible island, hiking each day with your expert Wilderness Scotland guide who will lead and inspire you. Discover more about its rich history and culture by visiting a number of unique locations such as Holy Isle – a centre for world peace and health. Enjoy a variety of spectacular, and sometimes challenging hiking, including standing atop of the islands highest point and traversing the ever-changing coastlines.

Relax in handpicked accommodation, beautifully situated in the characterful village of Brodick and enjoy delicious local produce in the evening to celebrate each days unique adventure.

Trip Highlights

Hiking up to the summit of the highest peak on the island
Immersing in heritage and history of this fantastic island
Enjoy some beautiful coastal scenery and views across to Ireland
Soak up the wilderness away from the crowds

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival on Arran

Meet your guide in Glasgow this morning before heading west and enjoying a scenic ferry across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of Arran. Where we choose to walk will be dependent on the ferry timings, but on arrival in Arran, we’ll stretch our legs on a short walk and enjoy the spectacular coastal scenery with stunning views of the Kintyre peninsula. This evening we’ll settle into our welcoming accommodation, set in the picturesque village of Brodick. (L, D)

Walk Details: 4 km/2.5 miles | 150 m/500 ft of ascent | approx. 1 – 2 hours

Day 2 - Northern Coastal Walk

After a relaxing breakfast this morning, we’ll transfer to the north of the island and begin today’s adventure. Making our way across the hill, we’ll enjoy unfolding views of the Clyde islands and back down the glen. Descend to a remote cottage and then follow the rugged path along the coast to return to our start point and the stunning views of Lochranza Castle. This remote walk offers a great chance to look out for some of the local wildlife and explore the fascinating geology of the area, with some of the most beautiful sandstones in Scotland. (B, L)

Walk Details: 11 km/7 miles | 330 m/1,080 ft of ascent | approx. 4 hours

Day 3 - The Holy Isle

A few miles off the west coast of Scotland, sheltered by Arran, lies the Holy Isle: a small island with a far-reaching spiritual heritage that dates back to the 6th century. This morning we’ll make our way along the coast to the small village of Lamlash. From here, we’ll take a short ferry crossing to the island and enjoy a walk out to the square tower of Pillar Rock lighthouse, spotting some of the island’s Soay sheep, Eriskay ponies and birdlife along the way. This afternoon, we’ll enjoy an intimate tour of the Isle of Arran Brewery. Absorb the sights and smells of this traditional beer-making process and enjoy a taste of some of the finest beers on the market today. (B, L)

Walk Details: 6.5 km/4 miles | 470 m/1,540 ft of ascent | approx. 3.5 hours

Day 4 - Arran's High Point

Today we set off into the hills to summit the highest peak on the Island – Goatfell. Starting from the village of Corrie, we’ll enjoy a wonderfully scenic walk through forests and across open moorland before beginning the main part of the ascent. The push to the summit can be a little challenging but the views you are rewarded with from the top make it all worthwhile. The impressive granite ridges of the neighbouring Arran peaks stand tall above the skyline, while the surrounding panoramic views stretch all the way to Ireland on a clear day. Upon completing our descent, we’ll reward ourselves with a mouthwatering cream tea at Brodick Castle, the perfect way to celebrate a spectacular day in the hills. (B, L, D)

Walk Details: 8 km/5 miles | 835 m/2,740 ft of ascent | approx. 6 hours

Day 5 - Brodrick Bay & Departure

Taking things easy on our final morning we’ll set off from our accommodation for a circular walk along the tranquil shores of Brodick Bay and then loop back around on a series of inland paths and quiet country lanes, stopping off for a visit to Arran Aromatics and the Isle of Arran Cheese Company. With a tasty souvenir in our pockets, we’ll head to the ferry terminal, arriving back to Glasgow late afternoon. (B, L)

Walk Details: 5 km/3 miles | 30 m/95 ft of ascent | approx. 2 hours

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Wilderness Walking

Arran: Scotland in Miniature

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Trip Dates & Prices

Trip Dates for 2023	Availability	Status	Price	Book
8th Jul - 12th Jul 2023	Trip Full	FULLY BOOKED	£1,355

Trip Details

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Accommodation Read More

On this trip, we stay in a 4-star resort hotel with leisure facilities and a selection of dining experiences. The hotel is situated on the edge of Brodick, the main village on the Isle of Arran.

Single Rooms

For solo travellers: Accommodation is based on sharing a twin room with another solo traveller of the same gender. A limited number of rooms for single occupancy are on a first come, first served basis, subject to a single supplement of £350. Please enquire for availability.

Meals Read More

Breakfast and lunch are included each day along with dinner on your first and last evening. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

On this trip we generally eat dinner as a group, however, if you prefer to make alternative arrangements you are welcome to do so. The guide will make group reservations each evening and you will likely eat at the accommodation at least once.

Inclusions Read More

This trip includes the following:

4 nights accommodation in a beautiful hotel
Meals as indicated in the itinerary (Meals indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Boat trip to Holy Isle
The services of an experienced and knowledgeable Guide/Driver throughout
All transport throughout the trip starting and ending in Glasgow

Trip Grading Read More: Blue Graded 4-6
Blue graded walking holidays are suitable for fit and experienced hikers. We walk at a good pace and you can expect to be out for 6-8 hours a day. You will not always be on a path and the terrain underfoot can be rough and boggy, including boulder fields and mountain tops. Some of the daily walks will involve a mountain ascent of over 3000ft / 900m high. Daily distances will be typically up to 16km but may be longer occasionally. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

Travel – Arrival and Departure Read More

Your guide will meet you at Glasgow Queen Street Station under the departures board at 10:00am on Day 1 of your trip

You will be returned to Glasgow Queen Street Station by 4:30pm on the final day of your trip

If you would like to use your own vehicle on the trip please get in touch with our team to discuss.

Make This Trip Private

Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

Speak to an Expert

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Rachael Gavan

Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of Scotland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

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Meet Your Guide

Jen Towill
8th Jul - 12th Jul 2023

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Difficulty Grades Explained

Blue Graded Walking Holidays

Blue graded walking holidays are suitable for fit and experienced hikers. We walk at a good pace and you can expect to be out for 6-8 hours a day. You will not always be on a path and the terrain underfoot can be rough and boggy, including boulder fields and mountain tops. Some of the daily walks will involve a mountain ascent of over 3000ft / 900m high. Daily distances will be typically up to 16km but may be longer occasionally. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

Compare walking grades

Trip Reviews

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 11 reviews of Wilderness Walking – Arran: Scotland in Miniature

Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

sheena melrose

Reviewed on 23/05/2023

Age: 70 - 80
Country: Guernsey
Trip Date: 13/05/2023
Trips Taken: 5

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Good trip though could be a few days longer to get around more of Arran?

Katharine Tighe

Reviewed on 08/05/2023

Age: 60 - 70
Country: Australia
Trip Date: 22/04/2023
Trips Taken: 4

The Bottom Line

Ellen MacDermid

Reviewed on 07/05/2023

Age: 50 - 60
Country: United States
Trip Date: 22/04/2023
Trips Taken: 2

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

This was our second Wilderness Scotland trip and we brought friends on this one, so we already spread the word. You do a great job and it's so nice that guides are allowed flexibility. One person on our trip wanted to see standing stones and Ian made sure everyone was happy with a change in plans. Everyone really enjoyed that unexpected detour. Thank you!

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Wilderness England

Arran: Scotland in Miniature

Travel Planning & Advice

Trip Highlights

Did you know?

This trip can be booked as a private departure

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival on Arran

Day 2 - Northern Coastal Walk

Day 3 - The Holy Isle

Day 4 - Arran's High Point

Day 5 - Brodrick Bay & Departure

Trip Dates & Prices

Trip Details

Blue Graded 4-6

Photo Gallery

Make This Trip Private

Speak to an Expert

Rachael Gavan

Meet Your Guide

Difficulty Grades Explained

Blue Graded Walking Holidays

Trip Reviews

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

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