Isle of Arran by Train and Ferry
The Isle of Arran has ferries from two stations: Ardrossan Harbour, with a 55min crossing to Brodick, and Troon, with a 1hr 20min crossing to Brodick. At Troon, the terminal is 1.2 mi (about 1.5 mi on foot) from the station, with a free shuttle bus between them.
Goatfell, 875m, is the highest of Arran's 18 listed hills.
Photo: grumpylumixuser, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to get to Arran by train
The train takes you to the ferry port, and the ferry carries foot passengers, so you can walk on with a rucksack and no car.
Train and CalMac ferry
Train to Ardrossan Harbour, 55min ferry to Brodick
The ferry terminal is a short walk from the platform. Ardrossan Harbour station
Train and CalMac ferry
Train to Troon, 1hr 20min ferry to Brodick
The ferry terminal is 1.2 mi (about 1.5 mi on foot) from the platform. A free shuttle bus runs between the station and the terminal. Troon station
Walking distances are estimates from the straight-line distance and the type of ground, not a measured route. Check a map before you set off.
Train times to the ferry from Glasgow, Edinburgh and more
The quickest train from each city to the ferry port. Then add the crossing: 55min from Ardrossan Harbour, 1hr 20min from Troon.
| From | To Ardrossan Harbour | To Troon |
|---|---|---|
| Glasgow | 55min | 43min |
| Stirling | 1hr 44min | 1hr 25min |
| Edinburgh | 2hr 8min | 1hr 44min |
| Lancaster | 3hr 14min | 3hr 5min |
| Newcastle | 3hr 50min | 3hr 32min |
| Durham | 4hr 14min | 3hr 53min |
Hills you can walk to from the ferry
One listed hill lies within 3 miles of the Brodick terminal as the crow flies, so you can start walking straight off the ferry.
- Clauchland Hills259m · 1.5 mi (about 2 mi on foot)
Hills on Arran
Arran has 18 listed hills, including 11 Marilyns. Goatfell is the highest at 875m.
Marilyns on Arran
- Goatfell875m
- Caisteal Abhail859m
- Beinn Tarsuinn826m
- Cir Mhor798m
- Beinn Bharrain - Mullach Buidhe721m
- Beinn Bhreac574m
- Meall nan Damh570m
- A' Chruach512m
- Sail Chalmadale480m
- Tighvein458m
- Creag Ghlas Laggan444m
Protected places on Arran
Protected places that lie mostly on Arran, each with its own page.
National Scenic Areas
Wild Land Areas
Can you visit Arran without a car?
Yes. The ferries carry foot passengers, so you can arrive with a rucksack and no car. One listed hill starts within 3 miles of the terminal. We don't list island buses, so for anywhere further from the ferry, check local transport before you travel.
More Scottish islands by train and ferry
- Isle of SkyeTrain to Mallaig, 30min ferry to Armadale
- Isle of MullTrain to Oban, 50min to 1hr ferry to Craignure
- Isle of ButeTrain to Wemyss Bay, 35min ferry to Rothesay
- BarraTrain to Oban, 5hr 35min ferry to Castlebay
- South UistTrain to Mallaig, 3hr 30min ferry to Lochboisdale
- The Small IslesTrain to Mallaig, ferry to Eigg, Muck, Rùm and Canna
- Coll and TireeTrain to Oban, ferry to Coll and Tiree
- OrkneyTrain to Aberdeen, 6hr ferry to Kirkwall
- ShetlandTrain to Aberdeen, 12hr 30min ferry to Lerwick
Also by train and ferry: English, Welsh and Manx islands.