Getting to the Isle of Arran

The Isle of Arran is served by two ferry routes:
1.    Ardrossan on the North Ayrshire coast to Brodick.  Ardrossan has good road links to the M74 and good rail links to Glasgow.
2.    Claonaig on Kintyre to Lochranza. This offers an attractive alternative route to Western Scotland.
Both services have regular daily sailings. The services are reduced in winter.
The Brodick- Ardrossan ferry has a restaurant and shop.
Contact: www.calmac.co.uk or telephone 0800 066 5000 for details and bookings.

Another useful website is: www.travelinesscotland.com

GETTING TO LOCHRANZA CAMPSITE FROM BRODICK (14 miles, 30 minutes)

Turn right out of the ferry terminal and head north. Out of Sannox the road climbs over open hillsides then descends into Lochranza. Pass the Isle of Arran Distillery on the left, then shortly after on the right look for the Lochranza Golf  Course and Campsite sign. Turn into the car park and you will see the campsite ahead.

MONEY SAVER TRAVEL TIPS

If you’re planning a holiday on a Scottish island you’ll find Arran (Scotland in miniature) is one of the closest and most easily accessible from mainland Britain, by road, air or rail. It is now possible to travel on overnight sleeper buses as well as trains from London to Glasgow. Alternatively you can fly to Prestwick airport on the Ayrshire coast. A useful travel planning website is: www.scotrail.co.uk/travelconnections

•   A welcome bonus on Arran is that car parking is free over most of the island. There is also no fee to visit many of the sites of historical interest  e.g. Machrie Moor stone circles.

•    When you are booking the CalMac ferry, avoid peak sailing times to save money. Also look out for CalMac’s special saver deals such as the 5 day saver, the Island Rover and the Hopscotch tickets. See www.calmac.co.uk

The summer ferry timetable and fares begin in late March and continue until  mid-October - you will find reduced fares early and late in season.

If you're travelling from the south, rather than cross from Ardrossan to Brodick by ferry you can continue on a 2 hour scenic journey to Kintyre and take a shorter  ferry crossing directly to Lochranza. You can also buy a Hopscotch ticket and come to Arran through Ayrshire and Ardrossan and leave at Lochranza to head for Kintyre, Argyll, Cowal and Glasgow via Loch Lomond.

•    Consider leaving your car in CalMac’s secure park at Ardrossan for a couple of pounds a day then using a taxi or bus to get to the campsite.  Car hire is also available on the island. The bus service on Arran goes right round the island for a very reasonable fee.  Bus times link with ferry times and there is a bus stop outside the campsite. See www.spt.co.uk

•    Take advantage of Lochranza Campsite’s 7th night free offer. For lots of ideas of things to see and do during your stay see our What to Do in Lochranza page.

•    Consider whether you need a hook up. Throughout the summer months, Scottish evenings are long and light, and there is no extra cost for Lochranza Campsite’s hot showers.