A Day on the Island: Arran
1 day tour
The Isle of Arran. Scotland in miniature. A mound of deep green and blue hues sitting across the water; adventure is calling.
Tour map
Tour Highlights
Brodick and Brodick Castle - Haunted by a 'Grey Lady', this Victorian castle is home to treasures both gold and green.
Isle of Arran -She's known as 'Scotland in Miniature'. Why? You can find everything that makes Scotland lovable on this tiny and beautiful island.
Lochranza -Explore this gorgeous seaside village, home to a ruined castle.
Blackwaterfoot -Seaweed-covered rocks, the gentle wash of waves on a shore, the smell of pastry in the air, Blackwaterfoot is as quaint and quiet as they come.
Your journey
Imagine discovering something. A place so perfect it couldn't possibly be real. We can only imagine what it must have been like for fishermen and hunters back in the Middle Stone Age, leaving mainland Scotland and exploring this tiny isle for the first time.
It had everything the mainland had. Lochs. Mountains. Beaches. Forest walks. Moors. All neatly tucked into this tiny paradise. And now that man has come to the isle, there are castles and standing stones and everything that makes a country like Scotland iconic.
Tour Details
Check-in closes at 07:45 (tour departs at 08:00) - Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station Pick Up, Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station (Stance between 23 to 32), Killermont Street, Glasgow, G2 3NW
19:00 - Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station Drop Off, Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station, Killermont Street, Glasgow, G2 3NW
You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
Students, and seniors over 60
- Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
- Some attraction tickets can be purchased in advance when you book your tour. You’ll have the option to add at check-out. Other attractions will not be available to book beforehand, instead you can purchase those while on tour.
- Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air conditioning as standard
- The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Attraction entry tickets
Itinerary
Who doesn't love saying that they're heading to an island for the day? Now it's your turn. Leave the bustling city of Glasgow behind for the day and head with us to Scotland in Miniature. The Isle of Arran has everything that makes Scotland lovable.
You depart Glasgow and head for the coastal town of Ardrossan where you jump on the ferry. This is a beautiful crossing, so get your cameras out, and see if you can spot jellyfish and dolphins along the way.
The ferry touches down in Brodick, Arran's biggest collection of shops and restaurants. It's a wee place, just like the whole island, but that's what we love about Arran. A short drive down the road takes you to the gates of Brodick Castle, the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton.
The castle's interior could not be further from the surrounding gardens. Inside you'll find rich Victorian decorations, dark wood, intricately decorated furniture, everything so dramatic and powerful. Make sure you have a chat with the staff inside, they're full of stories about those who once lived there. For much of its life, the castle has been owned by the Hamilton family and some even say that, to this day, it is haunted by the 'Grey Lady', a woman who starved to death in the dungeons of the castle.
Not so cheerful. But then you step outside and explore both the formal garden and the beautiful woodland trails that hug you from all sides.
After a bite to eat, you hop back on the bus and are whisked away to explore more of this beautiful island. But where will you stop? Perhaps you'll pop in at Lochranza, a quaint village that is home to a ruined castle. Or maybe you'll swing via Blackwaterfoot, grab a pastry from the local bakery, and have a wee wander along the beach.
By the time you jump back on the ferry at Brodick later that afternoon, you'll feel as though you know Arran a little bit better and you'll certainly understand why so many love it fiercely. Maybe you'll look back at the photos from the day, or perhaps you'll snack on the cheese and chocolate you sourced from town, as you make your way back to Glasgow.
Attractions
Tour Attractions
You are able to pre-purchase entrance tickets to the following attractions at the time of booking:
- Brodick Castle
Other attractions may be booked and paid locally during the tour.
FAQs
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.
What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?
If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.
What are your cancellation policies?
Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.
For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure
For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure
For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure
For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.
If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.
To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.
Click here to view terms and conditions
Can Itineraries change?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.
Do you take children on your tours?
We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance.
What is ABTOT?
You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .
Restrictions
We regret we dont carry children under the age of 5 years old on our scheduled tours.
If your child is less that 1.35m tall, you should let us know and we will provide a suitable booster seat.
You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.