Arran Coastal Way: 7B Whiting Bay to Brodick: via coast

Summary

The final stage of the Arran Coastal Way has two options from Whiting Bay - this variant omits Glenashdale Falls and instead rounds attractive Kingscross Point on the coastline. Boardwalk and rough stony foreshore can be very slippery in wet weather and can be impassable during very high tides. At Lamlash the two routes rejoin to follow the shore for the final coastal walk round Clauchlands Point to return to Brodick.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Minor roads, tracks, sections of boardwalk slippery if wet, coastal path can be wet and rough in places and impassable during very high tides.

Getting there

Start

Ashdale Bridge, Whiting Bay.

Public Transport

Whiting Bay, Lamlash and Brodick are all well by bus. Brodick is the terminal for ferries to Ardrossan on the mainland.

Start Grid Ref

NS046252

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Services

Whiting Bay, Lamlash and Brodick all have a wide choice of accommodation including hotels and bed and breakfasts, as well as shops.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 18.5km / 11.5 miles
Time: 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 233m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Head north along the A841 roadside pavement from Ashdale Bridge, passing through the centre of Whiting Bay. Continue to the northern end of Whiting Bay, passing the playing fields at Sandbraes, turn right and head down the minor road towards the sea past the church. Keep straight on along the road after the church and after crossing a bridge turn immediately right onto an unsurfaced road. Pass several houses and head onto the beach at the end of the track. Walk along the beach keeping an eye out for a signed path and gate on the left. Go through this and along a path between gorse and brambles before a more wooded area with a section of boardwalk.

Stage 2

Follow the path up steps and along the edge of a field and through a gate and across another field, the path keeping near the hedge on the right. Go through the next gate and continue to the corner of the field and another gate. The path now heads between trees to soon reach a more open grassy area. Keep straight on here. Holy Isle comes into view with the lighthouse and buildings that house those on Buddhist retreat on the island.

Stage 3

Keep ahead on the main grassy path with great views across the water to Lamlash and the Goatfell range behind. A small path behind and to the right of the bench leads out to a rocky outcrop and the remains of an ancient fort with a good outlook over to Holy Island and a view indicator and cairn. Walk down the path past the cairn down to a rusty metal base and bear left here to head down to the bottom of the grassy area and another bench with great views across the water. Follow the grassy path at the back of the bay passing a couple more benches and heading into a wooded area.

Stage 4

The path passes the garden of a large bungalow, keep on the upper path here when the path forks. The path soon enters an area of low woodland with bluebells and wild garlic in summer. Keep left on the upper path when it forks heading gently uphill. The path climbs more steeply and doubles back to the left at some mature beech trees before reaching a track at a gate. Head up the track passing a large wooden house on the right. The track levels off, passes another house and reaches a T junction. Turn right here to follow the road, turning left at the next corner and then following the road as it bends right. When it reaches a sharp left turn with a track on the right, go straight ahead onto a path through a gap in the hedge and over a tiny footbridge.

Stage 5

Follow the path over a larger footbridge and turn right when it emerges onto a track. Follow this to join anohter track at a bend and continue ahead slightly downhill passing some caravans on your left. At the entrances to some properties keep straight ahead down a path of wooden steps towards the coast. At the bottom of the steps the path swings right and then turns left along the foreshore. The next section is beautiful as it stays close to the water but is also hardgoing, especially in wet conditions. Sections of boardwalk are interspersed by sections on the pebbly and seaweed strewn foreshore for the next 2.5km. Eventually the houses at Cordon are reached. After the first house, turn left between properties and then turn right along the road. Just before the road bends left turn onto a path on the right and soon cross a footbridge. Cross a grassy area to join the main road at the seafront in Lamlash and continue along it to reach the shops and facilities. Continue through the village, passing the pier for Holy Island (well worth a trip and a walk if time permits). When the main road for Brodick swings left, keep ahead on the minor road towards Clauchlands Point. It passes some fine villas and lots of benches from which to admire the view.

Stage 6

Continue past the outdoor centre to reach a parking area where the road bends inland. Leave it here, heading through a gate and following a track out to Clauchlands Point, where there is a seat. The track turns sharply uphill here (for Dun Fionn); take the path that forks right to remain closer to the coastline. Another signed path goes off left up towards Dun Fionn - it is an alternative route for very high tide when there may be flooding of the main route near Corriegills; otherwise ignore it and stay on the coastal path.

Stage 7

Soon there are grand views ahead to distant Goatfell - a reminder that the end of the journey is coming closer. The path slowly becomes more rugged, and crosses several boggy areas, before eventually reaching the houses near Corriegills Point. Keep right onto the track, then take the main left fork uphill once past the first buidlings. The lane climbs uphill, weaving past another whitewashed cottage.

Stage 8

Continue up the track until it turns sharp left; at this point continue ahead on a signed footpath through the copse of trees. Follow the path as it dog-legs left and then right over a stile. Cross another stile and keep straight ahead through two fields to further stiles. After the second of these the path turns right (signpost) downhill alongside the near edge of the pasture, then left to keep along the bottom edge of the pasture above the hedgerows. Pass through a gap in the hedges and then turn right downhill again to reach a stile at the end of the Strathwhillan Road.

Stage 9

Turn left along this minor road. It eventually leads out to the main road on the south edge of Brodick. Turn right down this to reach the main seafront and the end of the Arran Coastal Way. The ferry terminal is to your right, but Brodick's facilities, bars, cafes and restaurants beckon for a celebration.

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