The Isle of Arran is one of the most southerly islands in Scotland and is located in the Firth of Clyde. Often known as “Scotland in Miniature” due to its mountainous north and rolling hills in the south, it is less than 20 miles (32km) long and 10 miles (16km) wide. However, Arran still boasts an enormous array of wildlife, including deer, seals, red squirrels, otters, eagles and many varieties of other birds as well as 3 endemic varieties of Whitbeam trees. For more on Scottish wildlife see the Scottish Natural Heritage website.

To find lots of information about transport, guidebooks/maps, places of interest and weather on Arran please see our Useful Links page.

coastMPA_CoastCOAST , a community organisation, works for the protection and restoration of the marine environment around Arran and the Clyde. Due to their campaigning, the southern half of Arran is a designated Marine Protection Area and Scotland’s first ‘No Take Zone’ is located between Lamlash and Holy Isle off the east coast of Arran. A selection of their beautiful marine life photographs can be seen on the route maps by hovering over the

The current population is approximately 5,000 people and the island has been continuously inhabitated since Neolithic times. Historical sites from the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Viking times are all found around the island.

An ancient Irish poem called Agalllamh na Senorach, first recorded in the 13th century, describes the attractions of the island:
deer

Arran of the many stags
The sea strikes against her shoulders,
Companies of men can feed there,
Blue spears are reddened among her boulders.

Merry hinds are on her hills,
Juicy berries are there for food,
Refreshing water in her streams,
Nuts in plenty in the wood

Downie, R. Angus (1933) All About Arran. Glasgow. Blackie and Son. p34-35