here are some wonderful walks around Lamlash which vary from gentle strolls along the shore and across meadows to some more strenuous uphill walks where you will be rewarded with stunning views of the mountains in the north of Arran, Lamlash Bay with Holy Isle and across the Firth of Clyde to the mainland. You can do circular routes around Lamlash as well walk to Brodick for a bit of shopping or to Whiting Bay to enjoy the beautiful Glenashdale Falls and come back by bus. During the week the three villages are connected by a regular hourly bus service.

Walk Safety
If you are planning to take a long walk in to the hills there are a few steps you can take for your own safety:
Check the local weather forecast. Even if it is sunny and warm at sea level, the weather can change quickly and it can be windy and cold up the hills. Take some water and food with you. Let somebody know your planned route and what time you are likely to be back. Take your mobile phone with you (you never know it may work).

Walks around the village

The following walks and descriptions were put together by Emily McIntosh from the Glenisle Hotel, where these walks start:

The Dyemill and Meallach’s Grave / Urie Loch
1hr30m – 2hrs Moderate/Hard

Take a right outside the building and follow the road up to Arran Fine Foods. Turn off the main road here and continue past the factory. The Dyemill is signposted from this road. An ancient cairn called Meallach’s Grave can be found by following the path up along the burn until you are out of the woods, then up the Forestry Commission path until you see the sign for Meallach’s Grave.

For a harder walk, take the two mile steep in places path up to Urie Loch, which is signposted across the bridge from the car park. This trail can be boggy and is very steep.

Dun Fionn
2 – 3hrs Moderate

The point of Dun Fionn is not visible from Lamlash, but once there the views are outstanding. Take a left at the hotel and follow the coastal road until you reach the end of the houses. Green signs will guide you to a field which is sometimes full of cows, cross the field to the top right corner then follow the path to Dun Fionn. Continuing on this path up through the woods will eventually lead to the main road halfway between Lamlash and Brodick. Crossing over the road and turning left almost immediately down a sign-posted track will lead you back into Lamlash. This circuit takes about the same time it would take to retrace your steps back down from Dun Fionn through the field of cows.

Heading down through the woods from Dun Fionn will lead you through the village of Corriegills and down to Brodick.

Brodick via the Forestry Commission Trails
1hr30m – 2hrs Easy/Moderate

The path starts at the north end of the village on the left side after the last house (opposite the Lamlash Golf Club). Following the path along the main road in the direction of Brodick will, before long, lead you onto a track which follows the main road through the woods. When you reach a car park the path forks in three directions. Very near to the junction for the main road is a footpath which will lead you along Forestry Commission roads until you end up behind the Post Office in Brodick.

Alternatively, for a more challenging route to Brodick, when you reach the car park turn left and then take the right fork. This route will lead you through stunning woodland along a burn and into the grounds of the Auchrannie Resort. From here it is easy on foot to navigate your way back into Brodick.
These walks can be combined to create a loop, which takes 4-5hrs.

Roots of Arran Community Woodland
Easy/Moderate

Visit and enjoy the Roots of Arran Community Woodland. Since 2012 this large clear-fell site known as Fairy Glen or Lag a Bheith, has been planted with many young trees which include Beech, Hazel, Willow, Oak, Alder, Blackthorn and even fruit trees in a specially enclosed orchard area. This is in order to regenerate the woodland for locals and visitors to enjoy and increase the island’s biodiversity. In spring 2012 a pond was added as well as more footpaths. See if you can spot the spiral of our resident artist, retired art teacher, Mike Bailey in the woodland – near the Beech Grove – it’s one you can walk around but it is still under construction and will eventually be made with living Silver Birch trees.

The path which leads to Roots of Arran Community Woodland starts at the north end of the village on the left side after the last house (opposite the Lamlash Golf Club). Following the path along the main road in the direction of Brodick will lead you onto a track which follows the main road through the woods. When you reach a car park the path forks in three directions. Follow the path parallel to the main road which will lead you to the View Point car park. From there a path to the left leads you further to the Community Woodland – and further to Brodick.

Find a bigger version of the map and more information about Roots of Arran Community Woodland here.

Holy Isle
Hard/Moderate

A day out on Holy Isle is certainly recommended during your stay. The walks here are particularly outstanding and from the highest point the views are on a par with those from the summit of Goatfell.

The most difficult route is to follow the path along the coastline and do the route around the island in an anti-clockwise direction. Going clockwise is slightly easier on the way up, but it means a very steep descent. It is also worthwhile to visit the lighthouse on the side of Holy Isle not visible from Lamlash. It is a lovely spot on a sunny day for a picnic.

Guided Walks

Arran has its own nature specialist, Lucy Wallace, who can arrange wonderful days or half-days out to explore the wildlife of Arran.
More information: Wild Walks on Arran