Tips for Arran

[Haikuing]

I want to spend a week on the Isle of Arran in late April next year, thinking the Auchrannie for a hotel. Has anyone stayed at that hotel? And any tips for Arran? What is a must-see? How’s the ferry journey?

We went a few weeks ago, but stayed in a cottage in Lamlash, which is lovely.

There are lots of nice walks. We particularly enjoyed seeing the standing stones and a cave that apparently Robert the Bruce watched the spider in.

We were limited by a non dog-friendly dog but it sounds like the castle is worth a visit, and there are a couple of whisky distilleries. I wish we could have taken the boat to Holy Isle.

Arran is pretty small so most places are only a short drive away. The ferry was about 1hr 15 mins and was straightforward.

My one tip would be to book nice restaurants in advance. The one we fancied was booked up for both nights we were there.

Thanks for the tips @whiteroseredrose! I should have said I won’t have a car. Will that be limiting?

No, you can walk round the island. When I went there was a post bus!

Well theoretically you could walk round Arran but it would take several days!
There is a decent bus service providing you plan ahead.
It is probably easier to get on the ferry without needing a car booking, so that's a positive.
Plan for possible ferry delays and cancellations by allowing extra time, ie don't make irrevocable work commitments for the day after you are due to leave.
Enjoy Arran it is beautiful!

I may be biased because I live nearby, but I would struggle to find enough to do on Arran for more than two days.

That said, I would recommend Machrie Moor standing stones, and Café Thyme do a lovely Turkish pide (like a pizza).

I’m planning on going for 5 nights, Monday-Saturday, so will have time on either side just in case. Is there a taxi service on the island?

I like to spend a good few days in the spa when I’m on holiday, and want to spend quiet time reading and relaxing along with having a couple of days out - is it likely to be quiet in April/May on the island?

Buzzworks - an Ayrshire based restaurant chain - is taking over the Douglas Hotel, I think it will be open by then and worth booking a meal.
They already have restaurants in Kilmarnock, Troon, Stewarton, Kilwinning plus a whole range of other places.

@Haikuing Arran gets a lot of visitors all the time, so can't guarantee quiet, try to avoid bank holidays if you can.
There are taxis indeed, and your hotel will be able to advise.

Thanks for the tips everyone, I’ve gone ahead and booked a 5 night stay for April-already looking forward to it!

What attracts you to Holy Isle? Just thinking about my itinerary.

We are just back from Auchrannie and it was lovely. We stayed in the main hotel/house. Great service and attention to detail. We did go into the spa resort for a drink which was equally as good. Usually I prefer renting an air bnb as it just gives more freedom and space but we are very happy in the hotel.

lots of people using the bus service but we did have a car and toured the island. Can highly recommend Lamlash and the Drift Inn for food/drinks and Whiting Bay is lovely. I was a little disappointed in Brodick and would have preferred to stay in the other places. Eating out was expensive. We went to the Douglas Hotel for bar food and paid £20 each for frozen fish and chips. But then we had been spoilt at Auchrannie 🤗 have a great holiday!

That’s where I’m staying! I’ve also booked the main house, how are the spa facilities? And the food?

Do you mean you were disappointed with the local area around Brodick?

I am planning to do a mixture of bus travel and the guided tours-one of them uses Auchrannie as the pick up and drop off point so that’s nice and easy!

I didn’t use the Spa but the pool in the main house was nice for a quick swim. Yes I wasn’t keen on Brodick - nice views of the sea and the beach is nice but it didn’t offer as much as I had hoped … quaint shops and bars etc. I just found other places to have a nice feel to them. Brodick castle was nice and the gardens were lovely to walk in if that’s your thing. The Spa resort building has a bit more a clubhouse feel in the bar and restaurant so nice to sit and have a drink and read and relax. The restaurant in the main hotel was fabulous.