Sannox to Lochranza: Cock of Arran

Summary

The second stage of the Arran Coastal Way - a great linear walk in its own right - is regarded as one of the finest of the route. It sticks close to a remote section of Arran's shore, with lovely views across the water to the Isle of Bute and Ayrshire. After passing the cottage at Laggan (where a steep inland alternative climbs the hill before descending to Lochranza) the route becomes rocky and boggy in places before passing the Cock of Arran. Finally an easier section of path and road lead into Lochranza with good views of the castle.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

After Laggan Cottage the route becomes rocky and wet underfoot in places, easy rocky scrambling over boulders at An Scriodan.

Public Transport

Bus runs along A841 linking Sannox and Lochranza.

Start

Sannox car park. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 15.75km / 9.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 4.5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 119m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NS014466

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Accommodation

Stage 1

Start from Sannox where there is a car park just northwest of the hotel on the A841. Take the path at the far end of the parking area that leads to the concrete stepping stones to cross the Sannox Burn. Follow the path at the back of Sannox Bay, passing a couple of houses as the path heads past a large white navigation mast, one of a set of leading lights used by vessels in the Firth of Clyde to indicate a measured mile, and hence calculate the top speed of new Clyde-built ships.

Stage 2

The path heads inland through woodland to reach the blue rock - a dramatic and unusual coloured cliff. When the path reaches the North Sannox Burn follow it as it turns upstream.

Stage 3

At the bridge turn right to cross the North Sannox Burn and then take the next right to follow a track to the car park at North Sannox where there are picnic tables and great views back towards the pointy peak of Cioch na h-Oighe and also a good spot to scan the sea for seals, porpoises and dolphins.

Stage 4

Go through the gate at the far end of the car park and onto the forestry track. After leaving the trees, the path weaves easily through the 'Fallen Rocks', a slight understatement given the size of the huge conglomerate boulders stretching from the cliffs to the sea. Continue as a narrower path leads past a series of small caves, one large enough to facilitate overnight accommodation, and becomes quite waterlogged and boggy in places.

Stage 5

Eventually Laggan Cottage is reached, ideal for a lunch break overlooking the Firth of Clyde, with Bute, the Cumbraes and Ayrshire beyond. Here the alternative route to Lochranza climbs up from behind the cottage - take this if you prefer a strenuous steep climb to the rocky coastal section. The coastal route continues on an an obvious path, past the ruins of a small mining and salt panning operation complete with millstone. The path becomes rockier and boggy as it passes a small wood and some of the ruined mining buildings.

Stage 6

The route detours onto the pebbly shore to avoid a short boggy section. Further on pass a huge sandstone boulder (with a coastal way post next to it), the Cock of Arran which used to more closely resemble a cockerel when seen from the sea but its head has been gradually eroded.

Stage 7

The path climbs to keep above much of the An Scriodan boulders which tumble into the sea here. The path, although much improved recently, still requires some minor scrambling over rocks until a series of rocky steps brings you back down to the shore at a finger post.

Stage 8

An easy grassy path leads to the cottage at Fairy Dell where there was once a small fishing community and a number of buildings. Cross the stream and ignore the path heading up to the left and continue along the shore. It soon passes Hutton's Unconformity, where the pink sandstone can be seen next to granite of a different age. This is just one of the sites at which geologist James Hutton (1726 - 1797) first identified the evidence leading to the notion that the earth had evolved over an immense period of time.

Stage 9

Follow the path along the shore to Newton Point where there is a view indicator. The houses and ferry terminal of Lochranza can be seen across the water. The path soon reaches a road, follow this past houses on the northwest side of Loch Ranza looking out for seals and herons at low tide here. Keep on the road as it bends left at a parking area at the head of the loch and then follow it as it turns right to cross to the far side of the glen passing the golf course where deer can often be seen. At the main road turn right to pass the church (to the left is the distillery with cafe, and the campsite) to reach the Youth Hostel, ferry terminal and bus stop.

Next stage: Lochranza to Imachar

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