What's On

Eventful times

Arran has an amazing community and whilst we have some big international events, we also want to invite our visitors to join in with local events too.

The two biggest, and longest established, events on the island both take place in August – Arran Farmers’ Show takes place the first Wednesday in August, and Brodick Highland Games takes place ‘the first Saturday after the Show’ (there’s a wee quirk for you!). Former Arranachs often flock back home that week as it’s a great way to catch up with old friends from days gone by.

However, if big events aren't your thing, there’s also lots of smaller community events – village coffee mornings, sales of work, concerts, ceilidhs. These are a great way to find out more about each village, and be sure and take time to listen to the local craic. While you're here pick up a copy of the local paper 'The Arran Banner' and check out the 'What's On' pages.

Arran’s creativity comes to the fore with plentiful arts festivals and events. Various music festivals (Arran Music Festival, Music Arran, Arran Folk Festival etc) take place throughout the year, whilst the McLellan Arts Festival takes place in September. Arran Open Studios have an open weekend in August when you can visit artists at work. Performing arts also include dramatic performances which take place in villages on an ad hoc basis, as well as the Arran Drama Festival each February.

Arran’s amazing natural environment is also the perfect playground for sporting events such as trail runs, ultra marathons, Arran Sportive, Rugby 7s and Cricket 6s!

Scroll down to see some of Arran's 2024 events or view a downloadable list of the rest of this year's events here.

Some upcoming events for your diary

There’s always loads to do on your visit to Arran. Every week there are lots of local daily activities that will welcome visitors, as well as larger special one-off events and festivals.

We'll continue to update this page with events happening in 2024 as they're announced so keep checking back!

What's On

ARRAN FESTIVAL OF FOOD & DRINK
Island Wide

ARRAN FESTIVAL OF FOOD AND DRINK

13th - 22nd September 2024

The 3rd festival is being held across many venues on the Isle of Arran between the 11th and 22nd of September 2024. There will be something for everyone with events such as the Harvest Fest Farmers Market and Family Fun Day.
Many of Arran’s foodie outlets are offering festival special menus and cocktails on given days or for the entire period of the festival, there’s farm tours with a BBQ after, whisky tasting and food pairing, special offers and free gifts.
There’s a real focus on collaboration and using local producer’s.
The festival is aimed at locals and visitors alike who should expect to enjoy fine food and fun.

Find out more
Arran International Festival of Chamber Music & Song
Various venues across Arran

19th - 25th August

Concerts by international, local and young musicians alike, coming together to create a series of beautiful musical events, across various Arran venues. See arraninternationalfestival.com for more details.

Find out more
Craft Club
Whiting Bay hall (lesser hall)

LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH

All welcome! Different craft activity each month. Cost £7.50 pp to include tea/coffee, cake and  craft materials.

Folk Music Session
Ormidale Hotel, Brodick

EVERY SUNDAY

9pm Come along and sing, play or just listen to local musicians perform folk, blues, jazz, pop, etc.

General Knowledge Quiz
The Ormidale

EVERY THURSDAY

Join Tommy every Thursday at 9pm for his famous general knowledge quiz. The oldest established - and best - general quiz on Arran!

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Live Music
The Pierhead Tavern

EVERY SATURDAY

Live music 9pm until midnight  at The Pierhead Tavern @ThePHTArran www.thepht.co.uk for full listings.

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Open Sessions
Ormidale Pavilion

EVERY FRIDAY

7pm Come along and sing, play or just listen to local musicians perform folk, blues, jazz, pop, etc. BYOB. Donation welcome toward room hire. 

Rock & Pop Bingo
The Ormidale

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Join Trev for a fun game (or two) of Rock & Pop Bingo! Listen to some great tracks and score them off on your bingo card for a striaght line or a full house! Great fun for all!

Find out more
Sunday Afternoon Mellow Music
The Pierhead Tavern

EVERY SUNDAY

Sunday afternoon mellow music in the bar or on the roof terrace. See full listings on our website or facebook page.

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Trev's Pop Music Quiz
The Ormidale

EVERY TUESDAY

Test your knowledge and/or guesswork in our fun, informal Pop quiz and compete for "sensational" prizes.

Quizmaster Trevor will be donning the golden jacket and asking the questions.

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Island Vibes & Salty Tides
Saltwater Gallery
25th June - 28th September 

We invite you to immerse yourself in the island and coastal life. With artwork by a group of talented artists, each inspired by the beauty and vibrant landscape of the island and coastline of Scotland. 

Find out more
COASTal Nature Tour on RV COAST Explorer
COAST Discovery Centre Lamlash

Join RV COAST Explorer on a 3hr Coastal Nature Trip around Arran's coastline to search for seabirds and dorsal fins, and to learn more about our underwater habitat and Arran's unique coastline.

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Sea Science Boat Trip
COAST Discovery Centre, Lamlash

"Seas the Day" aboard COAST Explorer. Dive into marine research and uncover the secrets of the seabed on our captivating Sea Science trips. Join COAST scientists aboard the RV COAST Explorer as we explore the ocean's wonders and witness the positive impact of marine protected areas.

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Snorkel Taster Sessions 2024
COAST Discovery Centre, Lamlash

Looking for the chance to learn to snorkel safely, build your confidence and have fun, whilst being taught by fully qualified BSAC instructors? Then join COAST for one of our snorkel taster sessions!

Find out more
Kilmory Hall 90th Birthday Summer Festival
Kilmory Hall 27 Jul 2024

3pm

BBQ - Bouncy Castle - Kids Crafts - Quiz - Raffle - Football Competition - Bar - around 4pm Isle of Arran Pipe Band - 

Followed by Family Ceilidh at 6pm with The Boathouse Ceilidh Band (Tickets £15, kids free)

Allan Maxwell Golf Day
Shiskine Golf and Tennis Club 28 Jul 2024
*In aid of Marie Curie*
Stableford - Best two nett scores
Up to 4 in a team
BBQ and refreshments on course
£20 per team for members
£40 per team for non-members
Children's Day @ Arran Heritage Museum
Arran Heritage Museum 28 Jul 2024

Children's Day Special Events 12.30-3.30pm

Story Telling, Model Railway, Face Painting, Children's Tombola etc 

Find out more
Childrens Day @Arran Heritage Museum
Arran Heritage Museum 28 Jul 2024

12:30pm - 3:30pm

Model Railway - Face Painting - Children's Story Telling - Tombola - Music  - Horeshoe Tossing and so much more!! 

Bushcraft - Fire Lighting & Water Purification
Brodick Country Park 30 Jul 2024

Head into the woods with the Rangers and learn how to light a fire and how to make water safe for drinking!

Find out more
Bushcraft - Shelter Building & Hammock Making
Brodick Country Park 30 Jul 2024

Head into the woods with the rangers and learn how to build a variety of shelters and how to make a hammock!

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Talk - The Victorian Plant Hunters & Their Ties to Brodick Castle
Garden Room @ The Heritage Museum, Brodick 30 Jul 2024

Speaker Donald Guthrie - 1.30pm.

Free event but usual museum admission charge applies. www.arranmuseum.co.uk

Find out more
Lamlash Shore Scramble
COAST Discovery Centre, Lamlash 01 Aug 2024

Join us as we explore Lamlash’s old pier, where we’ll have a guddle in the rock pools to discover the myriad of marine creatures exposed by the falling tide.

Time: 14:00 – 15:30

Pricing: £5.50 per person. Children under the age of 3 are free (donations welcome) U18’s must be accompanied by a full paying parent/guardian.

Find out more
Ghost Tour: Where History Meets Haunting @ Brodick Castle
Brodick Castle 02 Aug 2024

7-8.30pm Join us for an otherworldly adventure through the hauntingly beautiful gardens of Brodick Castle as darkness falls (depending on the time of year!). Discover the untold stories, eerie legends, and spectral secrets that lurk beneath the moonlit shadows. Not suitable for under-16's. £5 + Eventbrite fees. Book via nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodick-castle

Find out more
Grease & Dirty Dancing Tribute Show
Lochranza Village Hall 02 Aug 2024

Direct from the West End to Lochranza & Catacol Village Hall...We go back to Rydale High & Kellerman's for a fantastic evening.....

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Lifeboat Open Day
Lamlash Pier 03 Aug 2024
11am - 4pm

Meet the crew, Visit the shop, Lifeboat demos, Raffle, Kids activities, BBQ, Get your kit on challenge, Water safety advice!

Arran Farmers Show
Glenkiln Farm, Lamlash 07 Aug 2024

A big event in the Arran calendar, the Arran Show always draws a crowd and has something for everyone to enjoy. 

Find out more
Family Ceilidh
Whiting Bay Hall 07 Aug 2024

Wed 31st July & Wed 7th Aug - 7:30pm

Tickets £10, £5 Child, £25 Family Ticket (up tp 4 children) 

Tickets on door

Claudia Edwards and Stephen Michael Hodges Duo
Brodick Hall 08 Aug 2024

Join us for an evening of trad with Glasgow-based fiddler Caludia Edwards and American guitarist Stephen Michael Hodges! Americana, Scottish trad, and original tunes!

Gaelic Landscape Walk - Pirnmill
Village Shop Pirnmill KA27 8HP 09 Aug 2024

12pm - 3pm

A wee wander up Allt Gobhlach, through the trees and past the waterfalls, discovering our Gaelic cultural and natural history along the way!

Find out more
Brodick Highland Games
Ormidale Park, Brodick 10 Aug 2024

Another highlight in the Arran calendar, the Brodick Highland Games are always held the Saturday after the Arran Show and this is a great traditional day out for all the family where you'll find heavy events, highland dancing, athletics, children's fancy dress and stalls galore! Kick off is 12pm.

Find out more
Corrie Film Club - Oppenheimer
Corrie & Sannox Village Hall, Corrie 11 Aug 2024

7.30pm All welcome! Free entry but a small donation to Corrie and Sannox Hall welcomed.

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Festival of the Sea
Lamlash 11 Aug 2024

The aim is to celebrate everything that the sea means for an Island community: livelihood, leisure, ships, boats, swimming, sea-life, nourishment, and even transport. It blends thanksgiving, awareness of the damage we have done to the sea and its ecology, our dependence upon our Good Mother Earth, and the acts of penitence and intercession. The ancient Gaelic heritage of our lands and islands came alive in the recitation of the prayers of Blessing handed down to us both orally and in Carmichael’s Carmina Gadelica, calling us to renew our ecological awareness along with our sense of wonder.

Tractor Show @ Arran Heritage Museum
Arran Heritage Museum 11 Aug 2024

12.30-3.30pm Tractor Show - Classic, Modern and Working Tractors.

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Tractor Show @ Arran Heritage Museum
Arran Heritage Museum 11 Aug 2024

12:30pm - 3:30pm

Classic, Modern & Working Tractors 

Arran Brass Band - Biff Simpson & Band 

Roseburn BBQ & Baking - Tombola

K9s at the Castle
Brodick Castle 12 Aug 2024

oin our delightful canine celebration for the whole family!
Spend quality time with your loved ones and bring your furry friend along.
Don't let this fantastic day out pass you by!

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Talk - Holy Isle Project
Garden Room @ The Heritage Museum, Brodick 13 Aug 2024

Speaker tba - 1.30pm.

Free event but usual museum admission charge applies. www.arranmuseum.co.uk

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Brodick Shore Scramble
Brodick Castle Car Park 15 Aug 2024

Join us as we explore Merkland Shore off Brodick Bay, where we’ll have a guddle in the rock pools to discover the myriad of marine creatures exposed by the falling tide.

Time: 13:30 – 15:00

Pricing: £5.50 per person. Children under the age of 3 are free (donations welcome) U18’s must be accompanied by a full paying parent/guardian.

Find out more
Arran Open Studios
Island-wide 16 Aug 2024

16th - 19th August 2024  A weekend-long event where talented Arran artists, coming together as Arran Open Studios, stage a wide-ranging exhibition incorporating painters, sculptors and all manner of craftspeople, usually from their own studios across the island.

Find out more
Back to the Bronze Age: Drop-in at The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse, Brodick Country Park 21 Aug 2024

11am - 3pm Immerse yourself in Bronze Age life in our authentic replica roundhouse! Experience how our prehistoric ancestors lived, handle artefacts and learn about Bronze Age crafts, tools and weapons. Or simply soak up the atmosphere sitting around the open fire! FREE with Country Park entry; donations very welcome; no need to book. 

Find out more
Land Rover Safari - Arran off the beaten track
Brodick Country Park 22 Aug 2024

An adventurous all-day Land Rover tour into the heart of Arran to discover our amazing wildlife, archaeology, mountains and forestry.

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MURDERERS -A Search for the Truth
Brodick Hall 24 Aug 2024

Let's dive deep into the minds of infamous murderers and uncover the truth behind their crimes!

After his huge 14 month UK tour at 173 venues seen by over 168,000 people David is doing an exciting intriguing truth searching true crime summer show on his beloved Island of Arran at The Brodick Hall on Saturday 24th August 2024.

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Oil Painting - Figure in the Landscape with Iona Roberts
The Ranger Centre, Brodick Castle 24 Aug 2024

24th - 25th August

10am - 4pm This course will focus on oil painting and working with the figure in context with the interior and exterior landscape. 

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Isle of Arran Pipe Band @ Brodick Castle
Brodick Castle 25 Aug 2024

2-2.30pm Come along and hear the wonderful sounds of the pipes and drums from the Isle of Arran Pipe Band playing by the front door of the castle. nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodick-castle

Find out more
Tuesday Talk - Topic tba
Garden Room @ The Heritage Museum, Brodick 27 Aug 2024

Speaker Heather Lodge - 1.30pm.

Free event but usual museum admission charge applies. arranmuseum.co.uk

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Blaclwaterfoot Shore Scramble
Kinloch Hotel Car Park 29 Aug 2024

Join us as we explore the rocky shores in Blackwaterfoot, where we’ll have a guddle in the rock pools to discover the myriad of marine creatures exposed by the falling tide.

Time: 14:30 – 16:00

Pricing: £5.50 per person. Children under the age of 3 are free (donations welcome) U18’s must be accompanied by a full paying parent/guardian.

Find out more
The McLellan Book Festival
TBC 31 Aug 2024

31st August - 1st September

The McLellan Book Festival will run concurrent to the Wee Mac children's book festival, on the Saturday & Sunday, so there really will be something for book lovers of all ages. Our theme for 2024 is 'Scotland'.

We are currently working on the full programme and more details will be released here and on social media soon. However, we are delighted to announce our first confirmed authors:

- Sarah Sheridan 

- Alistair Moffat

Find out more
Wee Mac Arran Children's Book Festival
Arran Heritage Museum, Brodick 31 Aug 2024

31st August - 1st September

Wee Mac Arran is a children's book festival hosted at the Arran Heritage Museum, organised by a local group of book-loving volunteers. Some of Scotland and the UK's finest authors, illustrators and storytellers are invited to "Scotland in miniature" to present to Arran children and young people, as well as to visitors to the island. www.weemacarran.scot

Find out more
Ghost Tour: Where History Meets Haunting @ Brodick Castle
Brodick Castle 06 Sep 2024

7-8.30pm Join us for an otherworldly adventure through the hauntingly beautiful gardens of Brodick Castle as darkness falls (depending on the time of year!). Discover the untold stories, eerie legends, and spectral secrets that lurk beneath the moonlit shadows. Not suitable for under-16's. £5 + Eventbrite fees. Book via nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodick-castle

Find out more
McLellan Poetry Festival
Location tba 06 Sep 2024

6th - 7th September

Full 2024 festival programme tba - please keep checking back!

Find out more
Corrie Film Club - Forgotten Love
Corrie & Sannox Village Hall, Corrie 08 Sep 2024

7.30pm All welcome! Free entry but a small donation to Corrie and Sannox Hall welcomed.

Find out more
Talk - Special & Unusual Objects from the Archives
Garden Room @ The Heritage Museum, Brodick 10 Sep 2024

Speaker Arran Heritage Museum - 1.30pm.

Free event but usual museum admission charge applies. www.arranmuseum.co.uk

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Arran Clearances Exhibition @ Arran Heritage Museum
Garden Room, Heritage Museum, Brodick 12 Sep 2024

12th September - 13th October

Daily 10.30am-12pm, 2-4pm Pop-up Exhibition in the Garden Room.

Normal museum admission applies, donation appreciated. www.arranmuseum.co.uk.

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Gaelic Landscape Walk - Coire-Fhionn Lochan
Thundergay Isle of Arran KA27 8GD 13 Sep 2024

12pm-3pm

We look at the Gaelic history of Arran's most scenic mountain loch, using placenames to uncover stories of its people, plants and wildlife!

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Meet the Princess @ Brodick Castle
Brodick Castle 15 Sep 2024

11am or 2.30pm

Join us for a magical day filled with enchanting activities! £5 per child + Eventbrite fees (children must be accompanied by an adult). Castle/gardens usual entry fee. For full details & to book via nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodick-castle

Find out more
Back to the Bronze Age: Drop-in at The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse, Brodick Country Park 18 Sep 2024

11am - 3pm Immerse yourself in Bronze Age life in our authentic replica roundhouse! Experience how our prehistoric ancestors lived, handle artefacts and learn about Bronze Age crafts, tools and weapons. Or simply soak up the atmosphere sitting around the open fire! FREE with Country Park entry; donations very welcome; no need to book. 

Find out more
Introduction to Paper Sculpture with Mhairi Corr
The Ranger Centre, Brodick Castle 21 Sep 2024

21st - 22nd September

10am - 4pm Day 1: cutting and shaping wire mesh to form an armature. A strong basic structure will be made to support the pulp that will be made and applied on Day 2. There will not be enough time for the first layer to dry before applying subsequent layers. However, completing these 2 days will result in the knowledge of how to continue, rather than leaving the workshop with a finished product.

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Isle of Arran Pipe Band @ Brodick Castle
Brodick Castle 29 Sep 2024

2-2.30pm Come along and hear the wonderful sounds of the pipes and drums from the Isle of Arran Pipe Band playing by the front door of the castle. nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodick-castle

Find out more
Corrie Film Club - Poor Things
Corrie & Sannox Village Hall, Corrie 13 Oct 2024

7.30pm All welcome! Free entry but a small donation to Corrie and Sannox Hall welcomed.

Find out more
Back to the Bronze Age: Drop-in at The Roundhouse
The Roundhouse, Brodick Country Park 16 Oct 2024

11am - 3pm Immerse yourself in Bronze Age life in our authentic replica roundhouse! Experience how our prehistoric ancestors lived, handle artefacts and learn about Bronze Age crafts, tools and weapons. Or simply soak up the atmosphere sitting around the open fire! FREE with Country Park entry; donations very welcome; no need to book. 

Find out more
Gaelic Landscape Walk - Kilmory
Kilmory Hall & Bunkhouse 18 Oct 2024

12pm-3pm

A Southend to the coast, through woodland and farmland; discovering our Gaelic cultural and natural history along the way!

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Get Knotting! - An Introduction to Macrame with Walter Brown
The Ranger Centre, Brodick Castle 19 Oct 2024

10am - 4pm This workshop aims to provide a beginners’ introduction to the world of macramé, though, should you be more experienced, it may help you develop your own ideas. You will learn to tie a few, really easy, basic knots and then apply them both singularly and in configurations to make the desired item, perhaps with the use of a ring, beads or bells. 

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Davis Robb Duo
Arran High School, Lamlash 21 Oct 2024

7.30pm Andrew Robb, a multi award winning jazz double bassist & Emily Davis used to be the co-concertmaster with RSNO and is currently the Concertmaster with Stavanger Symphony Orchestra. The Davis Robb Duo have just released their debut album Long Days, Short Nights which features classical music, the Great American Songbook, folk music from Brazil, Scotland and Norway. Tickets £12 in advance from Inspirations or on the door, free to under 18s. 

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Miller Violin Duo
Arran High School, Lamlash 26 Oct 2024

7.30pm The Miller Violin Duo is made up of Scottish violinists Alison Miller and Danny Miller. At home they freelance with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, BBCSSO and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Their repertoire is ever expanding and covers a range of genres from Baroque through to 20th Century and Scottish traditional music. Tickets £12 in advance from Inspirations or on the door, free to under 18s. 

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Seascapes - Exploring Different Media with Senja Brendon
The Ranger Centre, Brodick Castle 02 Nov 2024

10am - 4pm In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of mediums to paint and draw the sea. 

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Santa's Christmas Market
Arran High School, Lamlash 23 Nov 2024

Opens 11am - market, café, music, Santa's Grotto - Arran's largest Christmas market with over 50 stalls. Offering a fine selection of unique handcrafted items, gifts and food.

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Trio Arisonto Concert
Arran High School, Lamlash 23 Nov 2024

7.30pm A Violin, horn and piano trio based in the Royal Academy of Music. Tickets £12 in advance from Inspirations or on the door. Free to under 18s. 

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