Adventure of the Week: Cycling on Arran
‘Adventure of the Week’ is a series of blog entries from Veloworld capturing some of our favourite cycle routes.
This week I’ll recount my experience of cycling during a recent holiday to Arran.
If you have a favourite route you’d like to share - we’d love to hear from you! Fill out the form at the end of the post for a chance to be featured in the next Adventure of the Week.
Ardrossan to Brodick
Route from ferry to the Lochranza Centre, where we were staying.
Our journey to Arran starts with a train from Glasgow Central to Ardrossan Harbour, then a ferry to Brodick (the main town on Arran).
The ride from the ferry to our hostel in Lochranza started off relatively flat but finished with a steep incline that we weren’t entirely prepared for, especially with all our luggage. The views were stunning though, which just about made up for it!
I discoverd our hostel, The Lochranza Centre, through AirBnb. The hostel is primarily an outdoor education and activity centre which caters for school groups and offers short courses in biology, geology and geography. Myself and my partner Paul were simply there for a relaxing short break however, and we got exactly that.
Upon arriving at around 6pm, we stored our bikes in the centre’s drying room and since there were no restaurants open, and the nearest shop was back in Brodick (we didn’t do much research before arriving!) we decided to go out, explore Lochranza and meet the locals (numerous free-range sheep!).
Lochranza beach at sunset
Farm Animals and Cave Carvings
Our next day of cycling was on my (28th) birthday - to Blackwater foot to meet some farm animals! The cycle from Lochranza to Bellevue Farm on the West of the Island (The String) was around 19 miles, relatively flat aside from one climb and featured some beautiful costal views.
One of the best parts of cycling on Arran was the fact that the roads were (for the most part) very smooth, quiet, and the drivers were courteous, giving us lots of space when overtaking - so it felt very safe! Ideal for less experienced cyclists (as long as you don’t mind a few hills!).
We made a short rest stop at Kings Cave which, after reading a Forestry and Land Scotland information notice about the area, we decided to go back to on our return journey.
At Bellevue Farm we were met by a family of free-range turkeys before taking part in the Farm Experience, a self-guided tour of the farm which allowed us the chance to meet and feed their many animals which included two rescue donkeys, a miniature Shetland pony, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs ducks, hens, goats, and some alpacas. Fortunately we were the only visitors during the most part of our tour (lots of families began to arrive when we were leaving) so it was a very relaxed (and honestly,a very good fun) birthday experience. I would definitely recommended it to families with small children (and animal lovers like myself!).
After having a quick coffee and saying goodbye to the animals, we headed back to King’s Cave. We ate the quick lunch we brought with us, and locked our bikes up to have a walk around King's Cave Trail.
Despite the legends, it’s unlikely that Robert the Bruce sheltered in the King’s Cave before the Battle of Bannockburn – or saw the famous spider. But King's Cave is still worth a visit for its superb location on a raised shingle beach and amazing inscriptions. Bring a torch to help you explore.
The circular trail begins and ends in pleasant mixed forest with scenic views across Machrie moor, the Drumadoon cliffs and west towards Ireland.
King’s Cave features a selection of amazing incised rocks which are thought to have been made by Early Medieval religious hermits and the trail is an easy going 3 mile circuit walk. The caves themselves are very impressive, and a welcome cold shelter from the July sun!
An E-Bike Adventure
After a few days of walking and cycling, I declined the opportunity to climb Goatfell with Paul and instead decided to rent an e-bike from Arran Bike Hire in Brodick.
From Brodick I set off on my rented Giant Explore to the South of the island through Lamlash and the beautiful sandy beaches of Whiting bay.
Cycling through Kilmory, I came across the delightful Velo Cafe at The Lagg hotel. Obviously, I had to stop there for a coffee and vegan sausage roll.
After re-fuelling, I set off towards Blackwaterfoot and then headed East through the centre of the island, past Ballymichael and Glaister and back towards Brodick.
I was incedibly thankful that I choose to attempt this route with an e-bike as it was incredibly hilly with an overall elevation of nearly 3,000 feet. So, with the help of electricity, I experienced a very fun and fast tour of the South of the island.
After returning the bike, I rejoined Paul and we caught up over delicous gin cocktails at Arran Botantical Drinks - a beach house turned micro-distillery and visitor experience for Arran Gin. The bar seating area is situated on a private beach at the coast and it’s a very popular spot.
Arran is absolutely beautiful and the perfect location for an active and peaceful staycation, we were very sad to have had to return home. Although we choose to stay in a hostel, we came across a some bike-packers and even a few cycling day-trippers who flew round the island in a day. It really is an ideal location for anyone looking for an outdoor adventure!
Do you have a favourite route you’d like to share with the Veloworld community? Get in touch using the form below and you could be featured in our next Adventure of the Week blog post.