Blackwaterfoot Lodge

The island of Arran is situated in the Firth of Clyde, between the Ayrshire coast and the Kintyre peninsular. Travellers heading to the west highlands from points south can avoid the congestion around Glasgow by using Arran as a “stepping stone” between Ardrossan and Claonaig and at the same time can enjoy some spectacular scenery. It’s worth spending a day or two on Arran.

Train and bus services from Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively
connect with the car ferry between Ardrossan and Brodick.

It is advisable to reserve space for a car in advance with the ferry operators:-

Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd
The Ferry Terminal
Gourock, PA19 1QP
Tel: 0990 650 000
Fax 01475 635 235

www.calmac.co.uk /reserve

E-mail reservations: reservations@calmac.co.uk

From Glasgow Airport by public transport

Take a bus to Gilmour St. Train Station in Paisley
from the central reservation island in front of the terminal building.

From the Station take the train to Ardrossan Harbour
thence the ferry to Brodick on Arran.

From Brodick to Blackwaterfoot take the ‘String Road’ bus, taxi or hire car.
Alternatively, if we know you’re coming, we can meet you at the pier.

From Prestwick Airport (PIK) by Public Transport

Take the Glasgow train from the Prestwick Airport; change at Kilwinning onto
the Ardrossan Harbour Train (which originates at Glasgow).

Vehicle ferry: Ardrossan-Brodick

The MV Caledonian Isles plies between Ardrossan )which is nearly 40 miles by road from Glasgow) and Brodick, Arran's main town.
Allow an hour and a half to drive from Glasgow to Ardrossan or one hour by train.

During the summer:-
Depart Ardrossan: 0700, 0945, 1230, 1515 and 1800 hrs
Depart Brodick: 0820, 1105, 1350, 1640 and 1920 hrs.

On Fridays only, a later ferry leaves Ardrossan at 2030
and returns from Brodick at 2140 hrs

The early morning ferry does not operate on Sundays.
During the high season a second vehicle ferry usually operates, with departure times sandwiched between The Caledonian Isle’s departures.
Check the CalMac Website for definitive information.

www.calmac.co.uk/summer-arran-timetable2.html

Fewer sailings operate over the winter (October - early April).
Journey time: 55 minutes.
The Caledonian MacBrayne brochure states that vehicle reservation is required
but this might only be really necessary at peak times during the holidays.

Vehicle ferry: Claonaig-Lochranza

A small vehicle ferry plies between Claonaig, a pieron the Kintyre Peninsula
(60 miles from Oban, 106 miles from Fort William)
and Lochranza on the northern tip of Arran.
From Easter until October.

There are seven crossings every day. Vehicle reservations are not possible,
so you just turn up and hope to get on the next one.
The crossing takes 30 minutes.
In the winter there is a single daily sailing between
Tarbert and Lochranza and back to Tarbert.