Hillwalking or just fancy a leisurely family stroll?

For information on short strolls and leisure walking routes to more challenging hillwalks - www.walkhighlands.co.uk/arran

Arran is a joy for walkers of all abilities. While there’s always a temptation to scramble up Goatfell, there are lots of wonderful walking routes around the coast, across the island and around the main villages and clachans that can be explored on foot.

The island is rich in scenery, castles, caves and standing stones. As a result, the walking is varied, from mountain paths to deserted beaches, from minor road-walking to boulder-hopping and in places it is refreshingly rugged and challenging!

The Arran Coastal Way can be a very challenging walking route in parts and is perhaps Scotland’s finest circular long-distance walking trail, running 65 miles (105 km) around the island; the official Coastal Way guidebook contains all you need to plan and enjoy your trip, including a Foreword by wilderness walker Cameron McNeish – available to buy  or download

For hillwalkers, the north of the island offers a wide selection of peaks and ridge walks of varying difficulty. Ironically, Goatfell, the highest peak at 874m, is also one of the easiest climbs. A great way to stay fit, enjoy nature, get some great photos from the summit and work up an appetite. And best of all, it’s free!