Freedom Break at Isle of Arran

By ferry

The main ferry to Arran runs from Ardrossan Harbour to Brodick. The crossing takes 55 minutes. Early booking is recommended if you plan to take your car to the island.

Ferries usually depart Ardrossan at 07:00, 09:45, 12:30, 15:15 and 18:00.

See www.calmac.co.uk for full details of fares and timetables.

By car

Ardrossan Harbour is about 1 hour from the M74, travelling via Strathaven and Kilmarnock. Either take your car on the ferry, or leave it in the large car park by the ferry terminal (cost £2 per day). 

If you take your car to the island it is just 3 miles from the ferry terminal at Brodick to Lamlash. A large car park is available in the grounds with ample free parking. If you are using a sat-nav, the postcode for Altachorvie is KA27 8LQ.

Isle of Arran map

By train

Ardrossan Harbour station is immediately adjacent to the ferry terminal. Trains from Glasgow Central take just under 1 hour and connect with the ferries. For train times and ticket prices see: www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Transfer to Altachorvie

On Saturdays a free HF Holidays’ coach will meet the 15:15 ferry (arrives Brodick at 16:10). For the return journey there is a free coach to connect with the 11:05 return ferry from Brodick (arrives Ardrossan at 12:00). If you travel on other ferries the 4 mile journey to Altachorvie is straightforward by local bus or taxi.

By air

If you are travelling from overseas, or the south of England, there are frequent flights to Glasgow International and Glasgow Prestwick airports. See www.nationalrail.co.uk for details on reaching the Isle of Arran from these airports by train.

Glasgow International is served by the main scheduled airlines. Take the airport bus from the station to Paisley Gilmour Street, then a direct train to Ardrossan Harbour. Journey time to Ardrossan is 1hr 10 minutes.

Glasgow Prestwick is used by some of the ‘low-cost’ airlines. The airport has its own station from where you should take a train to Ardrossan Harbour (1 change at Kilwinning). Journey time to Ardrossan is 50 minutes. 

If you are arriving at London Heathrow or London Gatwick the easiest option is to take a connecting flight north to Glasgow.  It is possible to make this journey by train in a day, provided that you have an early morning flight arrival. You’ll need to head to Euston station in the centre of London, from where there are direct trains to Glasgow Central. Change here for the local train to Ardrossan Harbour, and then the ferry to Arran. Journey time to Ardrossan approx 7½ hours.