Isle of Arran Adventure
3 day tour

  • Culzean Castle
  • Brodick Castle
  • Loch Lomond
  • Isle of Arran tours from Glasgow
  • Machrie Moor Stone Circle
  • Lagg Distillery

Explore ‘Scotland in Miniature’ on the Isle of Arran on this fabulous tour from Glasgow.

Tour map

Tour Highlights

Places you explore

 

Culzean Castle* - An 18th-century castle with beautiful grounds and gorgeously elegant rooms.

Robert Burns Country - Discover the locations that inspired Scotland’s most famous poet.

Brodick and Brodick Castle - A quintessential Victorian castle that’s said to be haunted by a ‘grey lady’.

Lagg Distillery – Savour the rich and earthy whisky in the state-of-the-art distillery that echoes the contours of the island.

Machrie Moor stone circles - These prehistoric stone circles are the most famous archaeological sites on the Isle of Arran.

Kintyre Peninsula - Admire gorgeous coastal views in this hidden away part of Scotland.

Loch Lomond - One of Scotland’s largest lochs. Admire the views and take postcard-perfect photos to share with your friends and family.

 

Your journey

 

The Isle of Arran is nicknamed ‘Scotland in miniature’.

 

It’s called this because it contains everything everyone loves about Scotland in 452 square kilometres.

You find stags frolicking through forests, a castle dramatically perched on the side of a river, and all the delicious seafood and whisky you could want.

So join this tour and begin with an adventure through the land of Robert Burns, before discovering all the delights of this small but bountiful island.

 


If you love this itinerary but want to start in Edinburgh, have a look at this tour.

Tour Details

Starts
Check-in closes at 23:45 (tour departs at ) - ,
Finishes (approx.)
- ,
Luggage
You're restricted to kg (0lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
Discounts

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)

Important information
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • Access to distillery production areas may not be possible
  • Some distilleries offer tutored tastings instead of tours
  • Distilleries may be substituted
  • Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
Tour inclusions
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
Tour exclusions
  • Entry fees to visitor attractions
  • Tour accommodation

Itinerary

Day 1

  • Marvel at the opulent interiors and lush gardens of Culzean Castle
  • Explore the region that inspired Scotland’s National Bard

You leave Glasgow and travel through the Whitelee Wind Farm, Europe’s largest wind farm.

You then leave the modern landscapes, and travel into Ayrshire to visit the 18th century Culzean Castle. Here you have time to enjoy its dramatic clifftop setting, beautiful architecture, and elegant living spaces. You can also have lunch in the cafe or a picnic in the beautiful castle grounds.

Travelling towards Robert Burns’ birthplace you discover the places from his poems and songs. You stop at the visitor centre in Alloway, where you have the opportunity to find out more about this remarkable man.

You continue to Ardrossan where you catch the ferry to the Isle of Arran. You’re dropped off at your accommodation in Brodick.

 

 

Day 2

  • Delve into the diverse landscapes of Arran, ‘Scotland in Miniature’
  • Walk among the mysterious standing stones at Machrie Moor

Arran is alive with wildlife, mountains, beaches, pubs, and restaurants. There are many options of how you can spend your time on the island, depending on the weather and your group's interest; your driver-guide will arrange the best day out for you.

You may explore the mountainous north of the island, some of Arran’s best beaches, Lochranza Castle, and Lagg Distillery.

Arran is also home to many stone circles dating from the Neolithic period and the early Bronze Age. You visit Machrie Moor and its six stone circles; and after exploring this area you travel south through the harbour villages of Blackwaterfoot.

Travelling back to Brodick you see The Holy Isle across the water, owned by the Samye Ling Buddhist Community.

You may make a stop at the Arran Cheese Shop, a family-owned business that’s now famous all over the world.

At Brodick, we find Brodick Castle, and situated in the shadow of this imposing red sandstone castle is Arran Brewery. This microbrewery blends naturally with its stunning surroundings, combining the island’s unique water with the finest local ingredients. You can sample this ale in many of the local pubs and restaurants; a perfect way to round off your day!

 

Day 3

  • Discover the rugged beauty of the West Highlands
  • Learn about the delightful Victorian harbour town of Inveraray

Today you return to the mainland on the ferry running between Lochranza and Claonaig. This short 30-minute crossing takes you onto the Kintyre Peninsula.

You travel along the coastal road to the charming fishing village of Tarbert. The village sits on the narrowest strip of land between the two bodies of water, forming a natural harbour.

From Tarbert, you follow Loch Fyne toward the whitewashed village of Inveraray, where you have free time to explore and have lunch. After lunch, you continue over the ‘The Rest and be Thankful’ mountain pass. From here it’s a short drive to Luss and the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond before returning to Glasgow.

*Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

 

Accommodation

 

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay two nights in Brodick* on the Island of Arran.

 

*Please be aware that Brodick is busy. You may need to be flexible with rooms we're able to reserve for you here. If you'd prefer to find your own accommodation for this location, please choose the 'book your own accommodation' option when you book your tour.

How does the accommodation work?

Your tour excludes accommodation; but when you book, you can ask us to reserve local accommodation for you, or you can choose to reserve your own accommodation in the overnight locations.

 

I want Rabbie’s to book my accommodation, what happens now?

Once you've booked your tour, we'll reserve all your accommodation, and your driver will drop you off with your hosts. 

We'll reserve your room(s) with one of our preferred accommodation suppliers and you'll pay them directly when you check-in. Most accommodation hosts don’t accept credit cards, so be prepared to pay cash.

You won't be able to choose which Hotel/B&B you stay in, but we will confirm the named property and exact prices on your first day of tour. If it's important for you to know where you're going to be staying in advance, or if you want to stay in a specific Hotel/B&B, we recommend that you select the option to book your own accommodation.

 

What if I want to change my accommodation booking with Rabbie’s?

Plans can change, so we let you alter your accommodation choices for free within the first 48 hours of booking. After this time, amendments aren't guaranteed and carry a surcharge. Please contact rooms@rabbies.com if you have any questions.

 

I booked my own accommodation is there anything I need to do?

You’ll need to contact us with your accommodation details. Please only reserve accommodation within the overnight towns that your tour stops in. Your driver will drop you off at your chosen accommodation as long as it’s relatively central.

 

What if I cancel my tour at short notice?

You may be liable for the cost of your first nights’ accommodation for each separate accommodation booked. If you cancel less than three days before departure, you may be liable for all your accommodation costs.

 

What are the accommodation types?

We try to reserve accommodation that’s no more than a 20-minute walk from the town centre. We regularly check our accommodation suppliers to ensure they reach a certain standard. 

The prices below are for guidance only and are based on 2022 rates. We’re working with suppliers to bring you the most up to date pricing for tours departing in 2023.

 

B&B En suite

The showering and toilet facilities are private, and breakfast is included in the price. The cost is £45 - £65 per person per night based on shared accommodation. A single en suite is £75 - £90 per night.

 

Hostels

Please note, we're unable to book hostels for this tour at the moment. You may still be able to book hostel accommodation yourself if you choose to the option to book your own accommodation for your tour.

A hostel consists of dormitory rooms with 4 to 16 bunk beds. The bathroom facilities are a short distance from the dorm room. Kitchen facilities are equipped so you can make your own meals. The cost based on dorm beds is £19 - £30 per person per night.

Please note that SYHA hostels only offer same gender dorms. Some independent hostels will offer mixed rooms (males and females together).

 

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, you can read our FAQs, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, or email rooms@rabbies.com.

 

FAQs

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

We have a cancellation period of 48 hours for our one day tours, 15 days for two to nine day tours, and 21 days for 10+ day tours. If cancelled outside this period, we'll give you a full refund minus a 10% admin charge. If you cancel inside this period, refunds are at our discretion. Click here to view full terms and conditions.

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .


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