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.

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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.

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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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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!

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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. 

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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!

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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

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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. 

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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

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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.

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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. 

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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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