Lochranza - Local Information

Information

As winner of the prestigious Green Tourism Business Goldstar Award 2011, Lochranza Youth Hostel is ranked as one of the UK’s top ten greenest businesses.

Dates: 11th March - 28th October 2012

Winter Weekend Opening: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2nd November to 15th of February 2012 (closed Xmas and New Year)

Tel: 01770 830 631

Reception opening hours

April to September 7:30am to 10:00am, 2:00pm to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 9:30pm (10:30pm Friday)

October to March 8:00am to 10:00am, 2:00pm to 3:00pm and 5:00pm to 9:30pm (10:30pm Friday to end of October)

Hostel building open 7:00am to 10:00pm and after 10:00pm by keycard entry

The hostel sells a small range of frozen meals, pizzas, tinned goods and Arran ice-creams. There is a SMALL shop for basics including bread and milk at the Stags Pavillion resturant next to the campsite in Lochranza. For a wider range of food there is a supermarket in Brodick.

Local Attractions

Brodick Castle

Castle and Gardens overlooking Brodick Bay

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Goatfell

The Arran skyline is dominated by the jagged summits and ridges of Goatfell and the surrounding hills

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Isle of Arran Distillers

Distillery and Visitor Centre
Lochranza, Isle of Arran KA27 8HJ

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Isle of Arran Heritage Museum

The exhibits reflect the social history, archaeology and geology of the island
Rosaburn, Brodick KA27 8DP

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Lochranza Castle

A fine tower house, a 16th-century reconstruction of an earlier building. Located opposite the hostel

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Island Cheese Company

Factory and shop producing cheddar and flavoured cheddars
Home Farm, Brodick, Isle of Arran

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Arran Aromatics

Factory and shop selling soaps, scented candles, bath and body works
The Home Farm, Brodick, Isle of Arran, Scotland KA27 8DD

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Machrie Moor Stone Circles

The remains of five stone circles of Bronze Age date, one of the most important sites of its kind in Britain

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King’s Cave

A series of natural caves in the sandstone rock

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Eating & Drinking

Stags Pavilion

Italian restaurant as well as breakfasts, coffees and snacks

BYOB and very popular – booking strongly advised

Tel 01770 – 830600

Lochranza Hotel

STB 3 Star Small Hotel with bar serving meals up to 21.00 (20.00 in winter)
Lochranza, Isle of Arran, KA27 8HL
Tel: 01770 830 223

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Catacol Bay Hotel

Pub and Restaurant, open daily 11am–10pm
Catacol, Isle of Arran KA27 8HN
Tel: 01770 830 231

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Eagles Nest Restaurant at the Distillery

Lochranza, open daily 10am-5pm
Tel: 01770 830 264

The Sandwich Station

Opening hours 9:00am to 5:00pm in the main season

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The Lighthouse Restaurant

Excellent locally produced meals and snacks. BYOB

(Closed in the winter)
Pirnmill, KA27 8HP
Tel: 01770 850240

Mountain Biking

The Isle of Arran Trails

Suitable for all levels and abilities.

Arran Bike Club

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Families

• Family & private rooms available
• Games area in the lounge
• Excellent self-catering facilities
• Range of attractions for all the family
• Adventure sports located nearby
• Family walks

We understand better than anyone the implications of travelling with young children. That is why we are doing all we can to make your hostelling experience memorable for all the right reasons.

Children and families are welcome at all our hostels, although we have highlighted a number of hostels within our network as being “Family Hostels” as they are particularly well-suited to travelling with and entertaining younger children.

Family hostels not only have private rooms available, many with en-suite facilities, they also carry practical items such as travel cots, high chairs, microwaves and toys. In addition there is normally a TV and games room as well as extensive private gardens on site where the kids can let off some steam. Close to great attractions and activities, these family hostels offer a great base from which to explore the area. Our helpful staff are a great source of knowledge on places to visit and things to see and do.

Hostelling is a very friendly and relaxed way to travel and our ethos actively involves children.

Active & Adventure

Paragliding

Learn to fly on the beautiful Isle of Arran. Over 30 flying sites suitable for both beginners and experts.

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Quad Biking

The Arran Quad Centre offers a wide and diverse range of quad biking activities focussing on safety, fun, and Learning

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Arran Adventure

• Adventure Sports
• Canyoning
• Mountain biking
• Power boating
• Rock climbing & abseiling
• Sea kayaking
• Orienteering
• Gorge walking

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Cycling

Real mountains, lovely scenery, mostly quiet roads

Horse riding

A small family run livery on the Island of Arran.

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Walkers

The hostel sell guidebooks and maps and has route descriptions for several walks on the island

Cock of Arran

Splendid coastal walk taking you round the beautiful north end of The Isle of Arran.
Distance: 12km/7.5miles, Duration: 4hrs, Height Gain: 40 metres/132 feet

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Glenashdale Falls

One of Arran's most beautiful landmarks, Glenashdale Falls.
Distance: 4km/2.5miles, Duration: 2hrs, Height Gain: 50 metres/165 feet

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Longer Walks

Isle of Arran Coastal Way

The Isle of Arran Way is a circular walk around the Isle of Arran with two inland options.
Distance: 104km/65 miles, Duration: 7days Height Gain: 300 metres/990 feet

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Mountain Walks

Goat Fell, Isle of Arran

A challenging ascent of the highest peak on the Isle of Arran, Goatfell.
Distance: 33km/20.6miles, Duration: 6hrs, Height Gain: 875 metres/2887.5 feet

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Disclaimer: All walking routes are hosted on external sites, therefore SYHA can hold no responsibility towards their accuracy. SYHA would also like to acknowledge the British Mountaineering Council Participation Statement: "The BMC recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions".

Wildlife

Red deer and red squirrel in the hostel garden.

Common seals, otters and lots of birdlife on the Loch.

Golden eagle, hen harrier and badgers around the village

Divers, gannets, eider and dolphin out to sea. Also basking shark late August and September

Arran Forests

Arran’s forests offer the chance to combine varied wildlife watching with spectacular views, walking and ancient history
Kilmory, South Arran

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