Isle of Arran Geopark

Arran's geodiveristy is jaw-dropping. In fact, it's composed of rocks from nearly all geological periods of the last 600 million years. On this compact island explore dramatic folded rock formations, ancient magma dykes, and Hutton’s Unconformity - a world-famous feature that helped shape modern geology.

You can also marvel at fossilised fulgurite (formed when lightning strikes rock) and proto-crocodile footprints preserved in sandstone. Budding archaeologists won’t be disappointed either, with ancient standing stones, Neolithic monuments, and a concentration of megalithic tombs to explore.

The island is also renowned for its native wildlife - red deer, eagles, adders, otters, and seals are often spotted. Arran is home to three unique tree species: the Arran Whitebeam, the Arran service-tree, and the Catacol Whitebeam. These rare trees are found only on Arran in remote mountain gorges. 

Home to one of the largest maerl beds in Scotland, a coralline pink seaweed, you can also learn more about the ‘Marine Protected Area’ covering the south of the island, as well as Scotland’s first ‘No Take Zone’, a campaign created by locals, where no fish or shellfish can be taken from the area.  

By train, bus, bicycle, or on foot 

There are three options to travel to Arran. All involve catching a ferry, as there’s no bridge!  

You can travel from Ardrossan Harbour or from Troon Harbour to Brodick - there are direct train services between Glasgow Central and Ardrossan Harbour. You can also catch a train to Troon, where a bus service takes you to the harbour. 

An alternative ferry route is via Argyll from Claonaig to Lochranza. It’s recommended that you book ferry tickets in advance at all times of the year, as services can be very busy. You can bring your car on all these ferries, too. 

Find out more information on ferries to Arran 

Once you’re on the island, there are regular bus services from Brodick to all the island’s villages.