Plan your trip
WALK HERE
It’s an easy 2½ miles out-and-back to Machrie Moor’s standing stones. A clear track leads east from a small parking area south of Machrie Bridge, just off the island’s west coast road at grid ref NR895330. You could extend your walk by looping south along the Arran Coastal Way to Torr Righ Beag and King’s Cave, where legend has it Robert the Bruce was inspired by a tenacious spider.
Maps: OS Explorer 361, Landranger 69
GETTING THERE
From Brodick, Arran’s main village, it’s a 25-minute drive to Machrie Moor via the B880. Buses 322 (45 mins via Blackwaterfoot) and 324 (via Lochranza) from Brodick stop nearby (stagecoachbus.com). A year-round car ferry service sails to Brodrick from mainland Ardrossan, where direct trains from Glasgow Central terminate at the harbour station (scotrail. co.uk). Crossings take an hour, with a summer return ticket for two adults and a car costing around £50 (0800 066 5000; calmac.co.uk).
WHERE TO EAT
Cake and hot drinks are served up the road at Machrie Bay Golf Club and Tearoom.
For a more nourishing post-walk meal, scoot overland to Lamlash Bay where the acclaimed Drift Inn boasts a front row view of Holy Island, with seafood fresh from the water. The menu changes daily. Ring ahead to reserve a table (01770 600608; driftinnarran.com).
WHERE TO STAY
Three miles south of Machrie, down by Dramadoon Bay, is Blackwaterfoot Lodge – a recently refurbished guesthouse in the eponymous shoreside village (01770 860202; blackwaterfoot-lodge.co.uk). Built in 1899 as a temperance hotel, it still oozes cosy Victorian charm but now has a licensed bar on the ground floor. B&B for two sharing a double or twin room costs from £100pn (minimum 2-night stay). For a cheaper billet, head north to Lochranza’s 4-star Youth Hostel, where private rooms cost from £40pn (01770 830 631; hostellingscotland.org.uk).
MORE INFORMATION
For more ‘braw’ bars, cafés and places to stay on Arran, plus the latest travel advice, head to visitarran.com or call 01770 302043 for local tourist info.