Isle of Arran Coastal Way

Make your own way to Brodick on the Isle of Arran. Travel to Ardrossan (1 hour by train from Glasgow) and take the short ferry ride across to Brodick. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the town or even go for a short walk on the beach. With a couple of hours you could visit Visit Brodick Castle and gardens. The castle was the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton and contains a fabulous collection of valuable artefacts. Or you could visit the Arran heritage Museum to learn a bit more about the history and nature of the island. Accommodation: You will stay in a B&B close to the ferry, making it easy to find and transport your luggage.

Begin your walking holiday on the Arran Coastal Way starting from your B&B. Enjoy views east across to the Scottish mainland and to Holy Island, owned by the Buddhist monks of Samye Ling Monastery. Walk mainly on footpaths with the occasional section on quiet lanes and pass Corriegills Point and Clauchlands Point. The walk then joins the lane through Lamlash, and onwards. Keep an eye out for the Viking Burial Ground at Kingscross Point. From the end of your walk at Whiting Bay, you will be picked up for a short transfer to your overnight accommodation in Lamlash. Perhaps have a meal or drink from one of the taverns with views to Holy island. Accommodation: Overnight at a welcoming property in Lamlash.

The day starts with a ride on the public bus to Sliddery, near Lagg. You might want to visit the whisky distillery near Lagg before starting the walk along the Arran Coastal Way to Blackwaterfoot. You will pass by the little Preaching Cave, accessible via the coastal footpath, which was once used as a school, a meeting and a preaching house by a breakaway group of the Free Church of Scotland. The terrain today is a mix of rocky, boggy and undulating paths and quiet lanes. Note that today we miss out the 16km/10 mile section between Whiting Bay and Lagg, because the coastal trail is largely only accessible at low tide. It also involves an extensive slippery section of scrambling over boulders. There is an inland alternate route some of the way, but this is largely through plantation forest which is not the most attractive of walking. Accommodation: Stay at a friendly, family-run B&B. Enjoy with fantastic views towards the sea and Arran's mountains.

It's a day laden with history, which starts with passing the 2000-year-old Doon Fort. Also known as the Drumadoon Hill Fort, it used the cliffs by the sea to fend off attacks from the water and a 3-metre tick wall on the other sides. It is the largest hillfort on the Isle of Arran. Continue along the 200-million-year-old Triassic Cliffs and past dinosaur footprints before arriving at the spectacular Kings Cave, actually a selection of caves. It features Robert the Bruce amongst its visitors - this is the cave where he famously watched the spider which inspired him to persist in his fight against the English - and has graffiti carved into the rock, both modern and Mediaeval. The walk culminates at the amazing Standing Stones of Machrie Moor. As there is nowhere to stay in Machrie, from here you'll be picked up for a transfer back to the same accommodation in Blackwaterfoot as last night.

After breakfast, you will take the public bus to Machrie from where you continue along the Arran Coastal Way. You'll be delighted with more spectacular views west across the Kilbrannan Sound to Kintyre. Most of today's walking is on a quiet lane and you might want to stop for a break at the Pirnmill Lighthouse and café serving local and Scottish produce. Accommodation: Stay at an inn in Lochranza. The Inn offers a fully licensed bar with a beer garden overlooking Lochranza and the Kilbrannan Sound towards Kintyre.

A lovely, if remote section, passing around the northern tip of the island, which is also called the Cock of Arran. Make sure you look out for the site of Hutton''s Uncomformity, where layers of rock reveal that the Earth is millions of years old. You will also be rewarded with views across to the Isles of Inchmarnock, and Bute. Walking beside the coast and under the steep sides of Corloch, you'll then come across Fallen Rocks. This site is dominated by giant boulders that tumbled down from the cliff-face toward the shore. Next follows a woodland section and more standing stones before you reach Sannox Bay. Then walk into the village of Corrie. Accommodation: You'll stay at the only hotel in the villlage and benefit from its beer garden, which is a former croquet lawn sitting right on the shoreline. Rooms are bright and come with an ensuite, with two of the single rooms sharing a bathroom. If this is unavailable, you may stay another night in Lochranza (transfers excl).

The grandstand finish of your walk around the Isle of Arran! Walk away from the coast and follow the stream of Corrie Burn to climb up Goat Fell, the highest point of the island at 874m/2867ft. This is a stunning granite ridge, formed along the Highland Fault 58 million years ago, and offering amazing views in all directions. The name does not refer to goats, but 'goath' was ancient gaelic for windy - and it certainly can be. Finish with a steady descent through Merkland Wood and past the Castle, Garden & Country Park into Brodick. If the weather is particularly inclement or you don’t wish to go high, then you can opt for the lovely, low-level alternative path that passes through the wood which allows time for a castle visit. Accommodation: Return normally to the same accommodation in Brodick as on day 1.

Depart Brodick by ferry to Ardrossan (own arrangements) for your onward travel.