- Overview
- Day-by-day itinerary
- Photos
- Best for
- An island stay with a full day around Lochranza
- Driving
- Ferry logistics; light island driving
- When to go
- Spring–autumn; confirm seasonal touring dates
- Ferries
- Vehicle sailing reservation needed
Why this trip: A full island day and two Lochranza nights leave room for castle, shore and distillery stops.
The trade-off: Vehicle ferries and the north-island approach need booking; a mainland final night uses the third evening.
Your trip at a glance
4 hire days · 3 nights · approximately 170–240 miles
| Day | Drive & overnight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renfrew → Brodick Lochranza Campsite, Lochranza Approx. 60–80 miles · vehicle ferry | 2–3 h |
| 2 | Lochranza Campsite, Lochranza → Lochranza Lochranza Campsite, Lochranza Approx. 15–35 miles | 45–90 min |
| 3 | Lochranza Campsite, Lochranza → Brodick ferry and mainland night Lomond Woods Holiday Park, Balloch Approx. 75–95 miles · vehicle ferry | 2–3 h |
| 4 | Lomond Woods Holiday Park, Balloch → Return to Renfrew Renfrew Approx. 20–30 miles | 45–60 min |
Rounded planning allowances, not live navigation. Driving excludes walks, food stops, traffic and ferry sailing/check-in. Use each day’s directions for current routing. First-day travel starts after the 14:00 Renfrew handover; the final day is reserved for the noon return.
Map & stops
Pink: overnight · Green: sights · Orange: food · Blue: useful stops
Choose a day to see its road journey. Tap a shared overnight pin for all its nights. Ferry crossings are gaps between the road sections.
Daily directions
- Day 1 · Brodick To the ferry From the ferry
- Day 2 · Lochranza Directions ↗
- Day 3 · Brodick ferry and mainland night To the ferry From the ferry
- Day 4 · Return to Renfrew Directions ↗
Get to know the places on this route
Open a day for its drive, food stop and overnight pitch. Mileage and times are estimates; ferry time is additional.
Your day-by-day plan
Day 1
Brodick
Day 1 · Brodick60–80 miles · 2–3 h driving
Renfrew → Lochranza Campsite, Lochranza
Approx. 60–80 miles · allow 2–3 h driving
Vehicle ferry: Troon → Brodick. Sailing, check-in and waiting time are additional. Use the departure port on your CalMac booking; this plan uses Troon.
Day 2
Lochranza
Day 2 · Lochranza15–35 miles · 45–90 min driving
Lochranza Campsite, Lochranza → Lochranza Campsite, Lochranza
Approx. 15–35 miles · allow 45–90 min driving
Things to do
Walk by Lochranza’s castle and waterfront, then choose a stretch of the west coast or Machrie Moor for your main outing. Give deer plenty of space around the village and campsite.
Eat & drink
Daytime refreshments at the distillery café; use Lochranza Country Inn for a separately planned village evening meal.
Casks CaféLunch and refreshments upstairs in Lochranza Distillery’s visitor centre. Works with the north-island base; a tasting needs a driver who is not drinking.
Sleep
Lochranza Campsite — Lochranza.
Two nights here give you a full day on northern Arran without repacking. The campsite’s local guide lists daytime food nearby; deer need plenty of space.
Facilities: Grass campervan pitches and a few motorhome hardstandings; electric hook-up, heated washrooms, showers and laundry.
Pitch booking: Check vehicle-ferry space first. Busy dates can require a two-night minimum.
Alternative: Seal Shore Camping & Touring Site. At Kildonan in southern Arran: a different island plan, with extra driving to Lochranza.
Day 3
Brodick ferry and mainland night
Day 3 · Brodick ferry and mainland night75–95 miles · 2–3 h driving
Lochranza Campsite, Lochranza → Lomond Woods Holiday Park, Balloch
Approx. 75–95 miles · allow 2–3 h driving
Vehicle ferry: Brodick → Troon. Sailing, check-in and waiting time are additional. Use the departure port on your CalMac booking; this plan uses Troon.
Day 4
Return to Renfrew
Day 4 · Return to Renfrew20–30 miles · 45–60 min driving
Lomond Woods Holiday Park, Balloch → Renfrew
Approx. 20–30 miles · allow 45–60 min driving
More Wee Coo routes
Loch Lomond first weekend
One lochside night, a gentle walk and time to learn the van. Luss gives this first weekend a clear base close enough for an easy return to Renfrew.
3-day Scottish Borders history loop
Trade the busiest Highland roads for Melrose’s abbey, the Eildon Hills and Border towns. Pick one proper walk and leave time for a bakery stop and a riverside pitch.
5-day Speyside & Cairngorms
Five days through Perthshire, Loch Morlich and Grantown, with Speyside Cooperage as the final sightseeing stop before heading south. The Moray coast belongs to a longer hire; this plan leaves the last night at Blair Atholl.