Ten of My Favourite Things to Do on the Isle of Arran

The Isle of Arran is my favourite Scottish island. I've been visiting this island since I was a very young child and I have to admit that I know this island pretty well now.

The first time I brought my husband along to the Isle of Arran, he loved hearing more about the island from someone who knows this place so well and who has years of experience of visiting this place. So I thought what better way to share more about my love for this Scottish island than to share 10 of my favourite things to do on the Isle fo Arran. Hopefully this can give you some more inspiration for your next visit to "Scotland in Minauture".

Visit Brodick Castle and Country Park, Brodick

When we used to visit the Isle of Arran during the summer holidays when I was growing up, we always made the trip over to visit Brodick Castle and Country Park. It's a really fascinating castle, with loads of interesting history.

I'd also really recommend taking the time to explore the beautiful country park at Brodick Castle. The Walled Garden especially is one of my favourite spots to explore and spend time on the island. If you have young kids, they'll love the Isle Be Wild Adventure Play Park. It's changed a lot since I was a kid, but I remember loving exploring and cambering around in the adventure play park then, so I'm sure it's still one the kids will love today.

I shared a blogpost in July 2025 all about a recent visit to Brodick Castle and Country Park, so if you're intested in finding out more, make sure you check that out here.

Learn about Neolithic History at Machrie Moor Standing Stones

One of my favourite walks on the Isle of Arran is out to see the Standing Stones at Machrie Moor. The walk out to see the standing stones doesn't take too long and is generally fairly flat. Once you discover the stones, you find yourself in amongst thousands of years of Scottish history. The stones date back to between 3500 and 1500, and, set against the quiet of this part of the island. It really does feel like stepping back in time.

Enjoy some of the incredible produce of this amazing island

I really came to love small businesses, and especially food businesses (handy, since that is part of my job now) during visits to the Isle of Arran growing up. There are so many incredible food and drink producers on the island, making this an ideal spot for foodies and those looking to get some edible gifts for any loved ones. Some of my favourite food and drink producers on the island include:

• Arran Cheese Shop

• Blackwater Bakehouse

• Arran Chocolate Factory

• Arran Brewery

• Isle of Arran Ice Cream

• Arran Gin

Find your new favourite beauty products at Arran Aromatics

Another one of my favourite businesses on the island has to be Arran Aromatics. This business has been going for a long time now, but it really has become a legend amongst Scottish businesses.

Probably my favourite product from Arran Aromatics is their hand wash and lotion in the scent After the Rain. This has been one of Arran Aromatics' most popular products for years now and, for me, it is the scent of my childhood since so many businesses on the island use these products. If you're looking for a beautiful gift to remind you of the island, I would highly recommend visiting their shop in Brodick.

Enjoy some fantastic Arran whisky

If you've being following along with my blog for a while, you'll know one of my favourite things to do on an island adventure is explore and find out more about the whisky making process. This is an especially good thing to do on a rainy day, something the Isle of Arran gets a lot of.

The Isle of Arran now has two whisky distilleries. One in Lochranza in the north end of the island, which has been open since 1995. The second is Lagg Distillery, which is located in the south end of the island and opened in 2019. I haven't done a whisky tour or tasting at either of these distilleries, but I have tried both whiskies and really enjoyed them.

Discover the hidden bookshop at Eas Mor

A couple of years ago, during a 3 day trip to the island (which you can read about here) we visited the incredible Eas Mor Ecological Centre, near Kildonan in the south of the island. Whilst on a walk in their woodland, we found the incredible Eas Mor Library.

Over the years, this incredible spot was been filled with the little notes, drawings and poems of its many visitors, turning this spot into a unique creative space that all can get involved in.

Feel the rush at Glenashdale Falls, Whiting Bay

One of my favourite walks on the island has to be the walk to view Glenashdale Falls near Whiting Bay. Here's the thing about me: I am not a hiker. Even though I have said for years that I would like to try them, I am not likely to be climbing any munros anytime soon. The walk up to view Glenashdale Falls is not the easiest, but it so worth the walk to see these stunning falls.

Treat yourself at the Arran Chocolate Shop

So I know I've already mentioned the Arran Chocolate Shop, but I have to say, this si such a highlight of the island for me. My family love a chocolately treat (if you know anything about me, you'll know I've ended up living the chocolate lover's DREAM life) and we always made an effort to get to the Arran Chocolate Shop for a wee treat.

As a child, I always had to decide whether to get a white chocolate or milk chocolate mouse. Nowadays, my palette is a big more refined. If you head into the shop, they do a wee pick your own selection. My favourite chocolates include:

• their hazelnut praline

• the Kitty (a combination of peanut butter and jam)

• the Raspberry One (honestly such a delicious milk chocolate with a raspberry fondant mixture inside)

Enjoy the views from all over the island

The thing I always loved about the Isle of Arran was the incredible views from all over the island. Whenever I think of views around Scotland that I love, so many of them end up being from childhood holidays on the Isle of Arran. Some of my favourite views include:

• watching the sun setting from around Lochranza Castle (bonus points if you mange to spot a deer as well)

• watching the last ferry leave from Brodick

• the view of the Holy Isle from Whiting Bay

• Pladda Lighthouse from Kildonan

Learn about the history of the island at the Arran Heritage Museum

Now I must give a wee disclaimer about this one: although I'm sure I visited this mueseum as a child, I can't remember ever visiting it as an adult. However, I am assured that it is a real highlight of the island if you do go. The Heritage Museum details what life on the island was like in the past, as well as sharing interesting details about the unique geology and archeology of the island. I really hope I get a chance to explore this museum soon, and I will let you know here on the blog as soon as I do.

I really hope this inspires you on your next adventure to the Isle of Arran. To find more of my island adventures, check out these other blogposts below:

• Everything we did on the Orkney Islands

• How to Spend a Day on the Isle of Raasay

• An Adventure to the Small Isles (Muck and Eigg)