CLAONAIG TO LOCHRANZA
Small is beautiful
A car park, phone box, bus shelter, public loo and a wheelie bin sit alongside the slipway at Claonaig at the junction of the B8001 and B842 making up one of the smaller CalMac operations.
An unattended slipway; tickets are bought on board this seasonal ferry. Don’t be fooled: the ferry is a busy one, a vital step in the hopscotch between Arran and Islay for tourists and a welcome mile-saver for local businesses.
Check out: Carradale for caravans and camping, bakery, shops and it has a post office and a great choice of quality accommodation and eateries. Skipness has a post office and store and a seafood cabin has a huge army of fans. The Skipness family ceilidhs are a highlight of the summer.
The journey: the B8001 takes you from Skipness to the A83; B842 is mainly single-track to Carradale, hugging the coast with some interesting hills and bends and the reward of a wonderful seascape. Be aware: fuel at Lochgilphead and Campbeltown, Clachan and Tayinloan; no filling stations on eastern side of Kintyre.
Hopscotch: Kennacraig for Islay; Campbeltown for Brodick; Tarbert Loch Fyne for Portavadie.
Arran’s most northern village
Across the Kilbrannan sound, the western arm of the Firth of Clyde, lies Lochranza, at the head of the loch by the castle. Red deer are often seen at the waterside. This is in a National Scenic area.
Check out: The larger partner in this crossing the village of 200-plus is home to the Arran Distillery and a number of shops and hotels. There is an outdoor centre and youth hostel. Bus services stop in the village and at the slipway. The journey: The A841 circles the island and is its only A-road, a circuit of 55 glorious miles of stunning views. Be aware: fuel at Brodick, Lamlash, Whiting Bay and Blackwaterfoot only.
Hopscotch: Brodick for Ardrossan on the mainland and Campbeltown (seasonal).