Golf on the Isle of Arran
They call Arran Scotland in miniature, and for golfers it is a small island with an outsized gift: seven courses scattered around its shores, from the famous 12 hole links at Shiskine to the 18 hole courses at Brodick, Lamlash and Whiting Bay, all playable on one island golf pass. An hour by ferry from the Ayrshire coast, it is one of the most charming and good value golf escapes in Britain. The courses, the pass, the ferry and how to plan it.
Photograph: Brodick Golf Club, Isle of Arran, Alex Mac, via Google
Why golf on Arran
For an island only twenty miles long, Arran offers an astonishing depth of golf, seven courses in all, which is why golfers borrow the island's nickname and call it Scotland in miniature. The headline act is Shiskine, the 12 hole links at Blackwaterfoot on the wild west coast, a course like nowhere else in Scotland, with dramatic holes pressed beneath the cliffs and views across to the Mull of Kintyre. It is regularly named among the very best short courses in the world, and its quirky, joyful character is reason enough to make the crossing.
Around it sit three full 18 hole courses, the flat, accessible Brodick by the ferry pier, and the hillier Lamlash and Whiting Bay with their magnificent views over the Firth of Clyde, plus the 9 hole courses at Machrie Bay and Corrie, and the 11 hole par 3 layout at Lochranza beneath the castle. None is long or fearsome; this is golf for the pure pleasure of walking beautiful ground in spectacular surroundings, and the island golf pass, which covers all seven courses, makes a few days here both sociable and superb value. Add a short ferry from the Ayrshire coast and Arran is one of the easiest, most rewarding golf weekends in Scotland.
The island
Brodick and the east
The island's main village and ferry port, with the flattest and most accessible course at Brodick beneath Goatfell, plus hotels, shops and the easiest base for a golf weekend.
Lamlash and Whiting Bay
The pretty bays of the south east, home to two hillier 18 hole courses with glorious views over the Firth of Clyde and Holy Isle, a short drive south from Brodick.
Blackwaterfoot and the west
The wilder Atlantic facing side of the island and the home of Shiskine, the celebrated 12 hole links, with views to Kintyre and a wonderful old fashioned clubhouse.
Machrie Bay and the north west
The quiet north western shore, with the friendly 9 hole course at Machrie Bay, a gentle, scenic round on the road around the coast.
Corrie and the north east
The northern villages below the granite peaks, where the 9 hole course at Corrie offers an unpretentious, welcoming round with mountain and sea views.
Lochranza and the north
The far north of the island, with its summer ferry to Kintyre, a castle, a distillery and the scenic 11 hole par 3 course at Lochranza among the red deer.
The seven courses
Shiskine Golf and Tennis Club
The jewel of Arran and one of the best short courses anywhere, a 12 hole links pressed beneath the cliffs on the west coast with dramatic holes, blind shots and views to the Mull of Kintyre. Quirky, joyful and utterly unique, it is the course every visiting golfer comes to Arran to play, with a wonderful old clubhouse to match.
Brodick Golf Club
The most accessible course on the island, a flat, friendly 18 holes laid out on the links land beside the bay at Brodick, a short walk from the ferry pier and beneath the great peak of Goatfell. The easiest round to fit around the boat, and a lovely, gentle start to an Arran golf trip.
Lamlash Golf Club
A hillier upland course above the village of Lamlash, climbing for some of the finest views in island golf out over Lamlash Bay and Holy Isle to the Firth of Clyde. A fun, scenic round that rewards a head for heights more than length, and a highlight of the island pass.
Whiting Bay Golf Club
A short but characterful 18 hole course rising through the hillside above Whiting Bay in the south east, full of elevation changes, blind shots and panoramic views over the Clyde. Camera friendly and great fun, it is the third of Arran's full courses and a firm favourite with returning visitors.
Machrie Bay and Corrie
Two charming 9 hole courses on the quieter shores of the island, Machrie Bay on the gentle north west coast and Corrie beneath the northern peaks. Unpretentious, welcoming and beautifully sited, they are ideal for a relaxed afternoon round and both feature on the island golf pass.
Lochranza Golf
A scenic 11 hole par 3 course in the far north of the island, set on flat ground among red deer beneath Lochranza Castle and the distillery, often flooded by the tide. A gentle, picturesque round that completes the set of seven, and a fine way to fill an afternoon in the north.
Course details and hole counts verified June 2026. The Arran golf pass covers all seven courses; it is the classic way to play the island. Always confirm tee times, ferry connections and pass details directly before booking.
When to go
| Season | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| April to May | Fresh, green, quieter, changeable | Lovely spring golf, pack for showers |
| June to August | Warmest, long days, busiest ferries | Peak season, book the boat ahead |
| September to October | Mild, golden, fewer crowds | The connoisseur's window, great value |
| November to March | Cool, wet, short days, exposed | Off season, limited play |
The Arran season runs roughly April to October, with May to September the sweet spot. As a west coast island the weather is changeable and breezy, so come prepared for showers and wind. Always confirm course opening, tee times and ferry sailings before you travel.
Indicative costs
| Item | Indicative 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Island golf pass | Around £140 | Plays all seven courses, valid twelve months, the best value way to golf Arran |
| Single round, 18 holes | Modest members club fees | Far below mainland resort rates, great value across the island |
| Ferry, Ardrossan to Brodick | Passenger and car fares apply | Around 55 minutes; book car space ahead in summer |
| A golf weekend, all in | An affordable Scottish golf break | Pass, a base on the island and the ferry, excluding mainland travel |
Indicative third party figures for the 2026 season, shown to set expectations only. The island golf pass is excellent value and the single round fees are modest members club rates. We are a guide and trip planner, not an operator, and never quote our own pricing. Always confirm directly before booking.
Getting there and around
Arran is reached by CalMac ferry, most often from Ardrossan on the Ayrshire coast to Brodick, a crossing of about fifty five minutes, with a direct road and rail link from Glasgow to Ardrossan that makes a weekend trip straightforward. In summer a second, shorter ferry runs from Claonaig on the Kintyre peninsula to Lochranza in the north of the island, useful if you are touring the west of Scotland. A car is the easiest way to reach all seven courses, which are spread around the coast road, though Brodick is walkable from the pier and the island bus network links the main villages. Book car space on the ferry well ahead in summer.
Where to stay
Brodick is the natural base, with the best choice of hotels and guest houses, the ferry pier and the easiest course on the doorstep, and it sits within a short drive of Lamlash and Whiting Bay to the south. For a Shiskine focused trip, Blackwaterfoot on the west coast has a handsome old hotel beside the links, while Lamlash and Lochranza offer quieter, scenic bases around the island. Many visitors simply pick one base and tour out to the courses each day. One planner can match the base to your courses, your group and the ferry times.
Plan your Isle of Arran golf trip
Tell us roughly when and who is travelling. One concierge sorts the island golf pass, books the ferry and a base on Arran, lines up the seven courses around the tides and ferry times, costs the whole trip to the head and replies within one working day, with no obligation.
Isle of Arran golf questions
How many golf courses are on the Isle of Arran?
Arran has seven golf courses, an extraordinary number for an island its size and the reason it is sometimes called Scotland in miniature for golfers. There are three 18 hole courses at Brodick, Lamlash and Whiting Bay, two 9 hole courses at Machrie Bay and Corrie, an 11 hole par 3 course at Lochranza, and the famous 12 hole links at Shiskine Golf and Tennis Club at Blackwaterfoot. The island golf pass lets you play all seven, which is the classic way to take on Arran.
What is the best golf course on Arran?
Shiskine, the 12 hole links at Blackwaterfoot on the west coast, is the standout and one of the most charming and unusual courses in Scotland, with dramatic coastal holes beneath the cliffs and views to the Mull of Kintyre. It is regularly named among the best short courses anywhere. Of the 18 hole courses, Brodick is the flattest and most accessible by the ferry pier, while Lamlash and Whiting Bay are hillier with magnificent views over the Firth of Clyde. Always confirm tee times before you travel.
How do you get to the Isle of Arran?
Arran is reached by CalMac ferry, most often from Ardrossan on the Ayrshire coast to Brodick, a crossing of about 55 minutes, with a road and rail link from Glasgow to Ardrossan that makes a day or weekend trip easy. In summer a second, shorter ferry runs from Claonaig on the Kintyre peninsula to Lochranza in the north of the island. A car is useful to reach all seven courses, which are spread around the island, though Brodick is walkable from the ferry. Always check ferry times and book the car space ahead in summer.
When is the best time to play golf on Arran?
The Arran season runs roughly from April to October, with the prime window from May to September when the weather is at its kindest and the days are long. As a west coast island the weather is changeable and often breezy, so pack for showers and wind whatever the month, and the reward is some of the most scenic golf in Scotland with the mountains and the Firth of Clyde as a backdrop. Always confirm course opening and tee times before you travel.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Course openings, ranking shake ups and the trips worth taking. Every other week.